Celebrating a Big Win for the Red Bluff Splash Park

Just as the triple digits of last summer started to drag on, the City of Red Bluff received some very refreshing news: the Red Bluff Big Splash project had been awarded a $3 million grant to complete the park.

Twice the project had lost the grant to other parks but, for Vici Miranda, the project’s creator and chairperson, “Quitting wasn’t an option.” The morning of the good news Vici had just started a meeting with friends to discuss downtown Red Bluff Christmas events when the text came through. “I cried for all to see,” she says. “There was no hiding my emotions and it was truly the most exciting moment. I was able to take the day to celebrate and reflect on how all of this started.”

Tyler, Preston and Vici Miranda are looking forward to the day when Red Bluff’s Splash Park opens.

Born and raised in Red Bluff, Vici spent much of her childhood tagging along with her grandmother, Jean Shackleford, to her activities as a member of Soroptimist International of Red Bluff. Jean is one of the Splash Park’s biggest supporters, and she taught young Vici the value of volunteerism. Vici says, “She taught me the importance of putting others before yourself.” Along with spending time with Jean at community fundraisers and festivals Vici was active in 4H and local sports. “Volunteering isn’t an obligation,” she says. “It’s an integral part of life.”

As she grew older, Vici’s ties with the community grew stronger. She knew her future husband, Tyler, while they were both in high school and they started dating during their college years. Both attended California State University, Sacramento, and graduated with degrees in real estate and land use. Vici is now a broker and co-owner, with Tyler, of RE/MAX Top Properties and they also operate Tehama Property Management, Inc. They enjoy watching others settle down in the area and embrace Tehama County as they do.

Even with all it has to offer, there was something missing in Red Bluff that wasn’t apparent until the Mirandas faced a challenge in their personal lives. As they welcomed their son, Preston, into the world he suffered a major stroke. Preston, now ten, was left without height or depth perception, making it difficult for him to participate in water sports and other outdoor activities. As he grew, Vici learned there wasn’t a single ADA compliant park in Red Bluff. In their travels they found splash parks that are inclusive for those with special needs like Preston’s. Watching Preston experience joy and independence at those water parks was priceless.

“This is just what Red Bluff needs,” Vici decided—and we can be thankful that Vici means what she says. North State Parent Magazine’s Jenna Christopherson shared this insight about Vici as one of NSP’s “Be The Change” heroes, “Vici Miranda possesses what Kate Grissom describes as a ‘blend of grit and grin.’ Since 2018, Vici’s kind and cheerful determination has rallied the community, including many business owners, to raise over $200,000 toward building the Red Bluff Splash Park. Her top six contributors, donating $10,000 or more, include Sierra Pacific Industries, The Community Foundation of the North State, Dignity Health, Salco Inc., The McConnell Fund and the 600 block of Main Street, Red Bluff. ’I’ve seen a lot of community development,’ says Kate Grissom of Cedar Crest Brewing, ‘but Vici has attracted and cultivated momentum for the splash park like I’ve never seen before.’”

This momentum comes from Vici’s vision of a place where parents and grandparents will take their kids and grandkids and form those special bonds that come with family fun. With the newly awarded grant, Vici hopes to have the park completed no later than the summer of 2025. Until then, she will continue in her fundraising efforts to cover things that aren’t included in the grant and for park maintenance going forward. The park will have something for all ages and abilities to enjoy, including water features, an updated trail system, improved lighting and pickle ball courts.

Tyler and Vici find something fun to do with Preston as often as possible. “As parents it’s our job to ensure our son does something fun every weekend,” she says. “We enjoy and celebrate all milestones. The milestones that may seem trivial to others are sometimes huge for a child with disabilities.”
Vici agrees with speaker and stroke survivor Katherine Wolf, “Don’t wait to celebrate the life you have been given, even if it looks different from the one you thought you would have.”

Taking inspiration from Vici’s childhood, some of that family fun can come from joining in the fundraising efforts. Keep an eye on The North State Parent online calendar to join in on one or more of these fundraisers.

Let’s all celebrate our community this fall and also this big milestone for the Red Bluff Splash Park. Keep cheering them on to the finish line!