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Fresno Monopoly is Coming. You Have a Chance to Make It Your Own.
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 1 year ago on
April 11, 2024

A Fresno edition of Monopoly is coming in November. It will retail for $39.99 in stores and online. (GV Wire/David Taub)

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The makers of the classic board game Monopoly are releasing an official Fresno edition. And, they want a Community Chest of suggestions for local versions of Boardwalk and the other 39 squares.

David Taub 

Flanked by the best-known mascots in town and Rich Uncle Pennybags, Mayor — i.e. the elected chairman of the board of Fresno — Jerry Dyer rolled the dice with his suggestions.

Boardwalk could be the Chaffee Zoo. Park Place becomes River Park. Pennsylvania Avenue is reborn as Fulton Street. And, Fresno’s Water Tower pinch-hits for the Water Works.

“These are just a few ideas that come to mind about possibilities that truly will become endless,” said Dyer, who added that he has played Monopoly since childhood.

He hopes a Fresno board game pays a dividend.

“That’s what this board game is really all about. It’s the memories for families, for kids. And this Fresno Monopoly will be a great opportunity for all of you to be able to organize a game night and spend time together, with family and friends, reminiscing about the streets and entertainment venues that we all love,” Dyer said.

Through May 10, Monopoly officials said they will go with suggestions emailed to fresno@toptrumps.com. Winners, though, are not guaranteed $200.

Dyer would not go back three spaces to offer his thoughts on what Fresno landmark would represent low-rent Baltic Avenue.

“Baltic. Oh gosh, you’re going to test me right now … I don’t know,” Dyer said.

Left to right: Timeout, Rich Uncle Pennybags, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, and Scorcher are excited about Monopoly. (GV Wire/David Taub)

In Stores by November

There have been bootleg versions of “Fres-nopoly,” in the past.

This is the official version, says Top Trumps spokesperson Jennifer Tripsea. It is unknown if any of the copycats had to go to jail. Top Trumps is the official Hasbro licensee making local editions.

It will be out in local stores by November, retailing for $39.99 plus sales tax —but not luxury or income tax.  The game can also be ordered online.

Tripsea reached out to the Fresno Chamber of Commerce about creating a local game. There are less than 40 officially licensed Monopoly city editions.

“We look for places that have a lot of community, local pride as well as a lot of rich history, and it was just such an easy choice to choose Fresno,” she said.

Free Parking: Mascots Split

Two beloved mascots were split on whether or not the accumulated fine money in the game goes to the player who lands on Free Parking.

The official rules say no, but getting that money has long been a “house” rule for decades among many players. Under that rule, Free Parking can make or break a would-be tycoon.

Timeout, the Bulldog representative of Fresno State, gave it a paw up. Parker T. Bear, the furry dweller of baseball’s Chukchansi Park, crossed his arms — perhaps mixing up his sports signals — in an apparent attempt to say no.

Dyer said yes.

“I think we should have free parking, at some point in time. Yes, we should have free parking,” he said.

To decipher if he meant Free Parking in the game or in downtown Fresno, you have to land on Chance.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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