Kearney Park, just outside of Fresno, will be closed to the public on Saturday for a private event — a wedding.
Christopher Rocha and Julian Ramos are tying the knot at the Fresno County park and have rented not just a portion of the public space, but the entire 225 acres. The couple has been dating for 10 years, according to their Facebook page.
The county allows per-day rentals of its park. The listed rate for Kearney Park is $3,270. There is also a $1 million liability insurance requirement.
Technically, the Fresno County Historical Society is renting the park. Rocha is a member of the society’s board and also an appointed member of the city Historic Preservation Commission since 2020.
While there is no county security guard requirement, the society has one of its own — one guard for every 100 guests.
Wedding Also a Fundraiser
Elizabeth Laval, historical society president, said the wedding will double as a fundraiser.
“The Fresno County Historical Society is so pleased to host this wedding at our beautiful and historic facility. We are honored that the event is serving as a substantial fundraiser for the FCHS and look forward to all the unique activities we have planned for the rest of the year,” Laval said.
Neither Laval nor county officials could remember the last time the park was closed for a private event. Other events such as the Civil War re-enactment and the Pirate Festival have taken up the park. But both of those events invited the public to attend.
Given that it is a day before the event, the happy couple were not available for a comment.
There is even a more affordable option for complete park rental. Courthouse Park in downtown Fresno rents for only $399 a day.
Kearney Park will re-open to the public Sunday at 7 a.m.
About Kearney Park
The park on Kearney Boulevard is seven miles west of Fresno. A prime attraction is the Kearney Mansion, which was built in 1900, by Martin Theodore Kearney.
Kearney, who was a raisin grower, figured prominently in Fresno’s early expansion as a developer.
States the historical society: “He advertised Fresno County far and wide, using various attractive promotional brochures that described Fresno as a veritable Garden of Eden.”
