10/16/2026
This month, we're sharing TWO STORIES about familiar places, fresh possibilities, and the people working to make our COMMUNITY SHINE. So, slow your fall scroll for a moment, friends, and catch our first highlight below. These stories deserve a little time in the spotlight, and we think you'll be glad you took a peek.
BIG MEMORIES. NEW POSSIBILITIES.
Take a little trip in the "Way-Back Machine" with me, friends. For many of us, Red Bluff's old park equipment brings back memories of childhood adventures, imaginary train rides, and afternoons when "five more minutes" was never quite enough.
Now, some of those familiar pieces have a chance to give back one more time.
The City of Red Bluff's upcoming surplus auction includes retired play structures from River Park and the beloved train formerly at Diamond Park. And the money raised from those park items? It goes right back into our parks to help purchase and install new, safety-compliant play structures and features. We're talking actual things families can enjoy.
"Not salaries or administration, but actual tangible elements," shared City of Red Bluff Public Works Director Scott Miller. "The more that we can make in the auction, the more that we can put back into the park."
So, how did these childhood favorites end up on the auction block?
Let's rewind a bit. River Park's next chapter started taking shape in 2019 with approval of a new shade structure and plans for the future Splash Park. Making room for that fun meant saying goodbye to the old play equipment.
At Diamond Park, the beloved train gave generations of little conductors a place to climb aboard. But even with plenty of repairs and TLC, keeping it safe had become an ongoing challenge. In 2021, a new concrete climb-on train rolled in to keep those imaginary adventures going.
The memories have held up beautifully. The old equipment? That's a different story. It no longer meets current public playground safety standards and cannot be reinstalled for public play.
Miller understands the nostalgia. He has his own memories of old metal merry-go-rounds and "friends" who considered launching someone into orbit part of the fun.
"The goal is for kids to play and have fun without detouring with an additional playdate with the doctor," he said.
Fair enough, Scott. Fair enough.
The auction gives these retired pieces a chance at a new chapter while helping fund what comes next. For someone with a sentimental connection to that familiar locomotive or a particular piece of park history, it's an opportunity to bring a little Red Bluff nostalgia home. For our parks, it's funding for future fun. Talk about a win-win.
That could include a little extra love for the Splash Park. With construction expected to begin in the spring, some features are listed as optional additions to help keep the project within budget. Auction proceeds could help bring some of those extras back into the picture.
For Vici Miranda, local Splash Park champion, Mr. Caterpillar is an old friend with a little more good left to do. Like so many who grew up in Red Bluff, she remembers spending plenty of time climbing aboard.
"I can't wait to see where Mr. Caterpillar goes next," Miranda said. "I'm sure somebody's going to really enjoy him."
His days at the park may be behind him, but he could still help make things happen for the next generation.
"We're hoping now he can help us reach another goal in our fundraising efforts to fund more modern play equipment," she said.
Ready to own a piece of Red Bluff history? BidCal.com will host the online auction, with bidding opening Friday, October 16th, at noon and closing Tuesday, October 20th, at 1 pm. Visit BidCal.com and select "View Early Bird Here!" under the City of Red Bluff Surplus Auction to browse the items.
And as Miller puts it, borrowing a line from his auctioneer buddies, "Bid 'em up!"
Those childhood memories just might help make some brand-new ones for our little community.
Written by: Kelley Dolling
Client/Community Outreach & Medicare
Dolling Insurance
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https://bit.ly/communityfirst_oct26
