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Category Archives: Parks and Recreation

11 transients were arrested during a cleanup at Santiago Park

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Drugs, homeless, Parks and Recreation, SAPD Leave a comment

The Santiago Creek area, in Santa Ana’s Santiago Park, got cleaned up again on Wednesday morning, as a large scale, multi-agency initiative involving the City of Santa Ana, the City of Orange, Cal Trans, California Highway Patrol, City Net (a homeless outreach provider contracted by the City), and the County of Orange Mental Health Services Agency worked collaboratively to address homelessness at various locations in that area.

Cal Trans and the City of Santa Ana contract crews cleaned the area of any abandoned property and graffiti. City Net also offered services to 23 individuals experiencing homelessness but only 1 individual accepted shelter.

City Net will continue to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness in the city through ongoing case management support.

Additionally, 11 individuals were arrested for outstanding warrants, trespassing or other SAMC violations. Regrettably such individuals often end up right back on the street in short time.

Learn more about the City of Santa Ana’s work to address homelessness on our data dashboard at https://www.santa-ana.org/HomelessData.

Santa Ana is finally getting a dog park!

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, David Penaloza, Parks and Recreation, Pets, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana City Councilman David Penaloza posted good news on his Facebook page today:

On December 3rd 2019, I along with then Councilmember Iglesias placed the following item on the city council agenda:

“Discuss and consider directing the City Manager to direct staff to study the feasibility of a Dog Park.”

I’m extremely excited to announce that after three years of advocacy on my behalf and many years of tireless advocacy from many dog loving neighborhood leaders, it is finally happening! During the 21/22 budget cycle, the city council as part of the Capital Improvement Projects approved the allocation of $1.1 MILLION for the design and construction of Santa Ana’s 1st Dog Park!

The days of having to take our dogs to the Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Fullerton dog parks are OVER!

I along with the Parks and Rec and Public Works departments invite all of you dog lovers to join us next Saturday January 22nd at 9:30 am at Centennial Park to help us design it. Leash them up and bring the doggies!

The volunteers who show up on Jan. 22 will be asked to park at the Centennial Park Administration Center adjacent to the parking lot off Centennial Road as seen in this map of Santa Ana’s future Dog Park at Centennial Park:

Become a park host and get a free place to live at Santa Ana’s Thornton Park

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Jobs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency is seeking an individual or couple to serve as a full-time Park Host at Thornton Park.

The primary role of a Park Host is to have a visible presence in the park and serve as the park ambassador for the surrounding community.

This is an unpaid position, however the Park Host may live in a City-owned two- or three-bedroom travel trailer with utility hookups and service at no cost.

The Park Host is required to live on site year round to provide excellent customer service to visitors and give information on park facilities, resources, park rules and attractions. 

Thornton Park is located at 1801 W. Segerstrom Ave. This 32.83-acre multi-use park encompasses a lake, passive play areas, tot lot, barrier free playground, walking trails, and athletic fields. General Park hours of operation are 5:00am to 11:00pm, 7 days a week. Athletic fields use and special events at the parks require a reservation.

Submit applications to Rudy Hernandez –rhernandez5@santa-ana.org or City of Santa Ana – Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency Attn: Park Host Program 20 Civic Center Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92701. For questions or additional information, please call 714-571-4229.

Groundbreaking to dedicate the new park at Raitt and Myrtle set for Jan. 12

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, CA – The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of a new community park on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 3 p.m. at the corner lot at Raitt and Myrtle streets. The public is invited to attend and no pre-registration is required*.

The new 1.18-acre park will be built on two City-owned parcels located at the northeast corner of Raitt and Myrtle streets. The $4 million project will include a skate area, exercise area, picnic area, butterfly interpretive garden, walking loop, open space, tot lot, drinking fountains and public restrooms. Drought-tolerant landscaping and a river-rock bio swale will also enhance the beauty and efficiency of the park space.

This park project was made possible by grants under the North OC Watershed Management and the Statewide Park Program. For more information, please contact Recreation and Community Services Supervisor William Sandoval at (714) 571-4258 or email wsandoval@santa-ana.org.

*The event will adhere to current state health guidelines and is subject to change and/or cancellation.

Inauguración de Construcción de Parque Nuevo

Lễ Động Thổ cho Công Viên Mới

The City of Santa Ana needs your help to name the new park at Raitt and Myrtle

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 8 Comments

The City of Santa Ana is looking for your suggestions to help name the latest addition to our Parks system. The new, 1.18-acre park will be built on two City-owned parcels at the northeast corner of Raitt and Myrtle streets and will feature a skate park, play equipment, exercise area, drought-tolerant landscaping, drinking water fountains, lighting, a public restroom, and other amenities. Please complete the questions below; thank you for your suggestion!

Criteria for naming the park:

  • A name which serves to identify the location of the subject by reference to distinct geographic, environmental or development features in the immediate area.
  • A name which references the history of the subject site or its immediate area.
  • A name which identifies a person or family which made an extraordinary donation of land or funds to promote the construction or improvement of the subject public facility.
  • A name which recognizes a person or family who made a distinct, significant contribution to the well-being of the city, including past mayors, council members, board or commission members, officers or employees of the city, but not anyone who currently holds any such position.

Applications will be accepted through January 3, 2022. Please visit the following link, to complete the survey: https://www.santa-ana.org/parks/name-park.

For questions or additional information, please call 714-571-4258.

Ayúdenos a nombrar el nuevo parque

Hãy Giúp Chúng Tôi Đặt Tên cho Công Viên Mới

The Santa Ana Winter Village Grand Opening is set for Dec. 9

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Family, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Join us at the Santa Ana Winter Village for a special Grand Opening event and tree-lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. with Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento, City Councilmembers, and the Anaheim Ducks Street Team!

Experience fun activities for the whole family to enjoy such as an outdoor ice-skating rink, local food trucks, holiday shopping, and much more. You may even get to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus! The Winter Village is just a short walk from the historic downtown Santa Ana restaurant and shopping district, so be sure to stop by and support the local businesses for food, drinks, and fun!

Starting December 8, the Santa Ana Winter Village will offer a family-friendly holiday attraction right in the heart of Downtown, near City Hall.

Guests will have the opportunity to rent skates and test their skills at a world-class outdoor ice skating rink and enjoy live entertainment, shopping, cuisine from local food trucks and much more. There’s something for the whole family – parents and kids can ride a festive trackless train, read a story with Mrs. Claus, or simply enjoy a warm holiday treat under the magical lights of this holiday wonderland. Lucky guests may even catch a glimpse of Santa!

This FREE community event will be open daily from December 8 to January 2. For more information visit https://www.santa-ana.org/events/santa-ana-winter-village. To view the event flyer click here. Visit https://santaanawintervillage.simpletix.com/ to purchase advance ice-skating tickets.

The Santa Ana Winter Village is starting on Dec. 8

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana will host the city’s first public ice-skating rink during a month-long family-friendly holiday event with live entertainment, shopping, food trucks and more.

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Residents and visitors in California’s famously sunny and warm Orange County will soon find themselves in the middle of a winter wonderland – all thanks to a month-long event presented by the City of Santa Ana.

Starting December 8, the City of Santa Ana will host the first Santa Ana Winter Village, a celebration of holiday fun in the heart of Orange County’s downtown. Located next to Santa Ana City Hall at the Civic Center Plaza, the event will offer a wide variety of activities and fun for guests of all ages through January 2, 2022.

Residents and visitors to Santa Ana will be able to rent ice skates and test their skills at a world-class outdoor ice-skating rink in the middle of Orange County. The Santa Ana Winter Village aims to offer a wide variety of activities for visitors of all ages, with live entertainment, holiday shopping and merchandise from specialty vendors and local community groups, cuisine from local food trucks, and much more.

A special focus of the Santa Ana Winter Village will be family-friendly activities that appeal to the whole family. Parents and kids can ride in a festive trackless train, read a story with Mrs. Claus, or enjoy a warm treat under the festive holiday lights. On select days of the month-long event, visitors may even have an opportunity to meet Santa Claus.

The community event is presented by the City of Santa Ana as part of the City’s Revive Santa Ana pandemic recovery initiative funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Santa Ana Winter Village will bring residents and new visitors to downtown, where they can enjoy local shops and restaurants and support our business community.

The Santa Ana Winter Village will host a special Grand Opening event and official tree- lighting ceremony on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 9, which will be attended by Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento, Santa Ana City Councilmembers and other VIP guests.

“I invite all of our residents and neighbors to join us at the Winter Village, step out onto the ice and discover the many joys of downtown Santa Ana,” said Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento. “The Winter Village will provide a fun, healthy outdoor activity that our community greatly deserves after the past two years.”

As the signature attraction of Santa Ana Winter Village, an outdoor ice rink will allow attendees to enjoy a very atypical Southern California winter activity: outdoor ice-skating.

Guests aged 3 and up can ice-skate in 90-minute sessions, with both general skating admission and discounted Santa Ana resident rates available. Tickets can be purchased in advance to reserve a specific date and time. A limited number of tickets will also be available to walk-up guests each session. General admission for ice-skating is $12 for adults (13+) and $8 for kids (3- 12). Santa Ana residents are offered discounted admission prices on Mondays; $10 for adults and $5 for children. Visit https://santaanawintervillage.simpletix.com/ to purchase advance ice-skating tickets.

Admission to Santa Ana Winter Village is free of charge, with separate costs for specific activities, such as ice-skating, food trucks and merchandise vendors. Family activities such as story time with Mrs. Claus, meeting Santa Claus and live entertainment are available at no cost to attendees.

Throughout the four-week event period, the Santa Ana Winter Village will host several dedicated special events that bring in community partners and VIP appearances including the Anaheim Ducks Street Team and others. More info will be announced with details prior to these events.

For updated event information, advance ice-skating ticket sales, parking information and more, visit the Santa Ana Winter Village page at www.santa-ana.org/wintervillage.

The Santa Ana City Council approves a new Park at Raitt and Myrtle

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Santa Ana residents will be getting a new park at the corner of Raitt and Myrtle streets and new restrooms at three existing park locations.

The Santa Ana City Council recently approved funding and construction contracts to begin the projects, which are being funded in part by the City’s recreational cannabis tax revenue and the Revive Santa Ana pandemic recovery initiative.

“The Santa Ana City Council believes creating new parks and improving our existing ones should be a top priority for our community’s health and well-being,” Mayor Vicente Sarmiento said. “Our densely populated and heavily developed city offers too little green space for our residents, but we will change that for this and future generations of Santaneros.”

Raitt and Myrtle Park

The new, 1.18-acre park will be built on two City-owned parcels at the northeast corner of Raitt and Myrtle streets. It will feature a skate park, play equipment, exercise area, drought-tolerant landscaping, drinking water fountains, lighting, a public restroom, and other amenities.

The project includes a stormwater runoff basin and infiltration system designed to manage stormwater from the park and the surrounding neighborhood. Stormwater infiltration benefits the environment by improving water quality, increasing local water supplies and reducing flooding.

On Sept. 21, the City Council awarded a $2.7 million contract to EM Construction to build the new park, with a total estimated cost of $3.4 million. Funding for the project comes from the City’s cannabis public benefit funds and State park and water management grants.

The park is expected to be completed in 2023.

Park Restrooms

New restrooms will be built at Campesino Park, 3311 W. 5th St.; Memorial Park, 2102 S. Flower St.; and Madison Park, 1528 S. Standard. The City identified these three park restrooms because they are targets for vandalism and require major efforts to maintain due to their age and condition. This improvement project includes demolishing the existing restroom buildings, installing new pre-fabricated restroom buildings, and site improvements to provide an accessible path of travel to these facilities.

On Oct. 19, the City Council awarded a $1.4 million construction contract to Santa Ana-based iBuild Spectrum, Inc. to complete the project, which has a total cost of $1.7 million. Funding for the work comes from Community Development Block Grants and the federal American Rescue Plan Act through Revive Santa Ana.

The restrooms are expected to be completed in summer 2022.

El Concejo Municipal aprueba un nuevo parque y baños

El Concejo Municipal aprueba un nuevo parque y baños 

Công viên và phòng vệ sinh mới

Hội đồng thành phố phê duyệt công viên mới, phòng vệ sinh

O.C. Soccer Club Mini-Pitch groundbreaking event at Delhi Park set for Oct. 26

Posted on by Posted in Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Soccer, Sport, Sports, Youth Activities 3 Comments

IRVINE, CA – October 26th, 110am The Orange County Soccer Club, in partnership with The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, is holding a ground breaking ceremony on a new miniature outdoor hard-surface soccer court (mini-pitch) at Delhi Park, located at 2314 S Halladay St., in Santa Ana, on Tuesday October 26, 2021 at 10 a.m.

The Orange County SC plans to work with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and other partners to install several other mini-pitches to provide underserved communities in Orange County with a safe place to play soccer.

Orange County SC and the OCSC Foundation intend to provide regular clinics at the mini-pitches in order to encourage soccer play and fitness, as well as to identify local talent to provide them an opportunity to play for OCSC’s professional youth academy and even try out for its first team. In addition, Orange County SC plans to host youth tournaments at the mini-pitch multiple times each year.

For more information visit – https://www.orangecountysoccer.com/news_article/show/1187725

Free Boo at the Zoo Community Night Tickets now available

Posted on by Posted in Entertainment, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Join the Santa Ana Zoo for special zoo hours on October 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., during Boo at the Zoo Community Night. Community night is only available to Santa Ana residents.

During the walk-through experience, visitors can follow a fun Halloween trail through the Zoo. Visitors will discover the “merry, not scary” decorations along the way, making this an activity the whole family can enjoy together, wearing family-friendly costumes and collecting goody bags for each child when leaving the Zoo. The Bean Sprouts “hip and healthy” café will be open and free train rides will be offered on the “Boo”fari Express Train.

Free tickets must be reserved in advance. Space is limited and proof of residency (driver’s license, utility bill) will be required upon arrival. Not valid to school or business addresses. To RSVP, please register here.

To purchase Boo at the Zoo admission tickets for additional dates, October 23, 24, 29, or 30, please visit: https://www.santaanazoo.org/boo.htm

For additional information, please call the Zoo at (714) 647-6575.

Newport and Dana Point Harbors and O.C. beaches in Laguna Beach all reopened now after the oil spill closure

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In cooperation with local judications, Unified Command has announced that the Captain of the Port has opened Newport Beach Harbor and Dana Point Harbor to all vessel traffic on 8th October 2021 at 3 p.m. PT. In addition, OC Parks is announcing the reopening of Bayside Beach, located in Newport Beach Harbor.

The sand at County-operated beaches in the City of Laguna Beach reopened at 9 a.m. today. These include Aliso Beach, Laguna Royale Beach, Table Rock Beach, Thousand Steps Beach and West Street Beach. The reopening is for the sand only, not the shoreline or the water.

The parking lot at Aliso Beach remains closed for staging for the cleanup efforts. The sand at City of Laguna Beach beaches also reopened at 7:00 a.m. today.

County-operated Salt Creek Beach, Strands Beach and Baby Beach located within Dana Point Harbor reopened October 7. Capistrano Beach and Poche Beach remain closed due to construction.

The City of Newport Beach’s beach advisory currently remains in place. Residents and visitors are advised to avoid contact with ocean water and oiled areas of the beach.

Huntington Beach ocean and shorelines (beginning at the lifeguard towers) between Warner Avenue and the Santa Ana River Jetty remain closed. Recreational fishing between Sunset Beach and Dana Point from the shoreline to six miles out is prohibited.

The Orange County coast has experienced a recent oil spill and an ongoing shoreline cleanup is in progress. The public can expect to see Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Teams and work crews equipped in protective gear, monitoring, inspecting, and cleaning the beaches to ensure that appropriate cleanup actions are taken. For your safety, the public is advised to avoid any contact with visible oil on the beaches.

The US Coast Guard is the lead agency coordinating the response to the oil spill incident. A unified command has been established and consists of Amplify Energy, the US Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, County of Orange and the County of San Diego. More information about the unified command response may be found at www.SoCalspillresponse.com.

Members of the public are asked to avoid assisting with cleanup in the oiled areas. Trained spill response contractors are working to clean up the oil and public volunteers are now being registered. Information may be found at https://calspillwatch.wildlife.ca.gov/Volunteer. If anyone encounters oiled wildlife, please avoid contact and call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877- 823-6926.

Vessel owners impacted by the oil spill can file a claim by calling 1-866-985-8366. If your vessel has been impacted by the oil spill, do not attempt to clean your own boat.

For lost revenue and damage claims, please call 1-866-985-8366, referencing the Pipeline P00547 Incident.

If a member of the public spots oil that they suspect is from the oil spill, please contact tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov.

New park coming to Raitt and Myrtle thanks in part to marijuana tax revenue

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The Santa Ana City Council has approved construction of a new, 1.18-acre park at Raitt and Myrtle Streets, a few blocks southeast of the Santa Ana City Yard.

It will feature a skate park, play equipment, exercise area, drought-tolerant landscaping, drinking water fountains, lighting, a public restroom, and other amenities.

The project also includes a stormwater runoff basin and infiltration system designed to manage stormwater from the park and the surrounding neighborhood.

Funding for the $3.4 million project comes from the City’s cannabis public benefit fund – tax revenues generated by legal marijuana operations – as well as State park and water management grants.

Click here to read the staff report regarding this park project.

Newport Beach Harbor and OC Parks Bayside Beach closed due to the oil spill

Posted on by Posted in Beaches, Environment, Newport Beach, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety Leave a comment

The County of Orange in coordination with Unified Command announces the closure of Newport Beach Harbor effective today at 11:00 am due to the oil spill. In addition, OC Parks is announcing the closure of Bayside Beach, located in Newport Beach Harbor.

Boats will not be allowed to enter or exit Newport Beach Harbor at this time. Impacted boaters are requested to go to Huntington Beach Harbor or Long Beach Harbor. At this time there is no date or time as to re-opening Newport Beach Harbor.

As the oil slick continues to move, discussions are underway of the possible closure of harbors south of Newport Beach Harbor. Boaters are advised to make preparations at this time.

The US Coast Guard is the lead agency coordinating the response to the oil spill incident. A unified command has been established and consists of Amplify Energy, the US Coast Guard and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. More information about the unified command response may be found at www.SoCalspillresponse.com.

Members of the public are asked to avoid assisting with cleanup in the oiled areas. Trained spill response contractors are working to clean up the oil. Public volunteers are not requested at this time, but information can be found at https://calspillwatch.wildlife.ca.gov/Volunteer. If anyone encounters oiled wildlife, please avoid contact and call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926.

OC Parks closes beaches in Laguna Beach area due to the oil spill

Posted on by Posted in Beaches, Orange County, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

As of Sunday at 9 p.m., all beaches in the City of Laguna Beach are closed. This includes beaches operated by the County – Aliso Beach, Laguna Royale, Tablerock Beach, Thousand Steps Beach and West Street Beach.

A large oil spill was identified Saturday off the coast of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, resulting in ocean closures. Due to the toxicity of the spill, residents and visitors are advised to avoid contact with ocean water and oiled areas of the beaches.

The US Coast Guard is the lead agency coordinating the response to the oil spill incident. A unified command has been established and consists of Amplify Energy, the US Coast Guard and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. More information about the unified command response may be found at www.SoCalspillresponse.com.
Members of the public are asked to avoid assisting with cleanup in the oiled areas. Trained spill response contractors are working to clean up the oil. Public volunteers are not requested at this time, but information can be found at https://calspillwatch.wildlife.ca.gov/Volunteer. If anyone encounters oiled wildlife, please avoid contact and call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network at 1-877-823-6926.

Virtual meeting about the new PFAS treatment facility at Mabury Park set for Oct. 12

Posted on by Posted in Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

Santa Ana neighbors are invited to a community meeting with Orange County Water District (OCWD) and City of Santa Ana Public Works Water Resources teams to learn about PFAS and the construction of a treatment facility in Mabury Park.

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals. PFAS have been manufactured and used in a variety of industries around the globe, including in the United States since the 1940s. PFOA and PFOS have been the most extensively produced and studied of these chemicals. Both chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.

OCWD and Santa Ana are working together to rapidly implement a treatment system to get groundwater supplies back online as soon as possible, maintaining the safe, high quality water that Santa Ana is committed to providing. As such, OCWD will soon begin construction on a series of treatment facilities to treat PFAS at four wells in the City.

Virtual Meeting set for Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Join via computer: https://ocwd.zoom.us/j/94148993585?pwd=Mm5zZE1uWXk3Uk1YQUtZeGtCZTlrQT09

Join via phone: Dial +1 346 248 7799 and enter Meeting ID: 941 4899 3585 and Passcode: 578075

Spanish and Vietnamese translation will be available both in person and virtually.

To view the meeting flyer click here. For more information or project updates, please call the OCWD Construction Hotline at (714) 378-8244 or email info@ocwd.com. To learn more about PFAS visit www.ocwd.com/what-we-do/water-quality/pfoapfos/.