Martinez To Rename Park In Memory Of Mayor John Sparacino

MARTINEZ – A ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the official renaming of Alhambra Park in Martinez to John Sparacino Park will be held later this month, the city announced this week. Sparacino, the city of Martinez' first publicly elected mayor, graduated from Alhambra High School and lived only a few blocks from the park.

He was 92 years old when he died April 3, 2018.

In September, Martinez City Council approved the park’s name change, honoring Sparacino for his "outstanding commitment and service to the Martinez community," city officials said in a news release.

The ceremony renaming the park in memory of the former mayor will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 at the corner of Marina Vista and Alhambra Avenue.

Sparacino was elected mayor three times, first in 1973 and again in 1976 and 1978, and was a longstanding supporter of the Martinez Police Department.

He was also a proud member of various groups, some of which included the Martinez Historical Society, Aahmes Shriners, Martinez Masonic Lodge No. 41, Knights of Columbus, the Elks, Druids and Sons of Italy, city officials said.

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