In November 2007 the city of Ceres dedicated Sam Ryno Park. But there hasn't been much to do in the park other than enjoy the vast expanse of green grass. That's changing with the city of Ceres installing a number of improvements worth $570,000 to the site at Brown Avenue and Stone Springs Drive on Ceres' west side.

The park will feature children's playground equipment for those aged 2 to 5, and also 5 to 12, a half basketball court, picnic area with barbecue pits, pedestrian sidewalks

The project is expected to be completed by April.

The city received a $250,000 Land Water Conservation grant to go toward the project.

The city decided to honor Sam Ryno, the officer who was seriously wounded in the Jan. 9, 2005 shooting in front of George's Liquors which took the life of Sgt. Howard Stevenson, by naming a park after him. Ryno, a 24-year veteran of the Ceres Police Department, was made a sergeant after the shooting but never returned to work.

The city is also making plans to develop the 10-acre Ceres Lions Club Park - which had been tentatively named River Ranch Park - at a later date on River Road.

The Ceres Lions Club has agreed to share in the development of the park, including outdoor basketball courts and barbecue pits.