2 New Parks Granted To Park-Poor Section Of Orange County

SANTA ANA, CA — The city of Santa Ana was awarded $5.2 million in state funds to help build two new parks on vacant parcels, it was announced Wednesday.

Santa Ana, a richly diverse in culture and historically park poor, according to Sen. Tom Umberg, has long worked toward gaining new city parks. Funding for the new parks will be drawn from Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 approved by California voters.

"I am proud that these funds are being delivered to an area that has historically been neglected by the state's elected officials," Umberg said. "I very much look forward to bringing my granddaughter and family to these parks with their official opening."

A $3.6 million grant will be used to create a 0.75-acre park at Stanford Street and McFadden Avenue that will include areas for skating and exercising, as well as a playground, walking loop, open space and a basketball court. The city is contributing another $400,000, for a total park construction cost of $4 million.

Another $1.6 million grant will be used to construct a 1.9- acre park at Raitt and Myrtle streets that will include skating and exercising areas, a tot lot, butterfly interpretive garden, walking loop, open space, drought-tolerant landscaping and a restroom.

The North Orange County Watershed Management Agency has contributed $2.4 million, for a total park construction cost of $4 million.Under the guidelines of Proposition 68 funding, the two parks must be completed within two years.

City News Service, Patch editor Ashley Ludwig contributed to this report.