Pasco’s beloved park namesake honored with statue
Pasco recently unveiled a bronze statue at Peanuts Park honoring Noburo “Peanuts” Fukuda, the beloved community figure for whom the park was named.
The city of Pasco recently installed a new statue at Peanuts Park honoring the late Noburo “Peanuts” Fukuda.
The park is named after Fukuda, a retired railroad worker and community icon. For decades, he rode his tricycle through Pasco, picking up litter and handing out candy and peanuts to children.
Peanuts Park at 426 W. Lewis St., home to the Pasco Farmers Market and Cinco de Mayo festival, was dedicated in 1977. Fukuda died in 1993.
The new bronze statue celebrates Fukuda’s legacy of kindness and service, the city said.
The statue is the first major public art project commissioned by the Pasco Arts & Culture Commission and is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize historic downtown Pasco.
The commission put out a call for art in 2022 that received nine proposals, and artist Seth Vandable was selected in 2023 to create the sculpture.
The sculpture was unveiled July 25 at the park.
