SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana invites the community to celebrate the re-opening of the newly renovated George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. This event will highlight the City’s commitment to inclusive, modern, and innovative recreational spaces that serve all residents.
“This park stands as a testament to our commitment to creating inclusive, modern, and innovative spaces that truly serve our entire community,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “The George Upton All Access Park prioritizes accessibility, safety, and diverse recreational opportunities for all residents, regardless of ability. We are proud to honor George Upton’s legacy and vision, ensuring that every child, no matter their needs, has the opportunity to play and thrive in our beautiful parks.”
The George Upton All Access Park is a reflection of the priorities outlined in the City’s 2022 Parks Master Plan, which focuses on maintaining and enhancing park amenities to meet evolving industry and safety standards while fostering unique recreational experiences. Designed to be fully accessible, the new playground ensures that children of all abilities can play, explore, and engage in outdoor recreation.
Park enhancements include:
- All access play equipment featuring slides, spinners, climbers, swings, and a seesaw
- Safety surfacing with interconnecting ramps and ADA accessible walkways
- Shade structures
- Resurfaced basketball court
- New lighting
- New restrooms
Originally established in 1995 as the Kiwanis Barrier Free Playground, the park was the vision of longtime Santa Ana resident and dedicated volunteer George Upton, who advocated for accessible play spaces for children with special needs. In 2019, the playground was renamed in his honor following his passing.
The $2.3 million project was funded by a $2 million State of California Natural Resources Agency Grant, $230,250 from the City of Santa Ana Cannabis Public Fund, and $118,369 from the City of Santa Ana General Fund. Additionally, an approximate $250,000 of supplemental contributions from the Public Works Agency’s Park Services operations budget, majority-funded by Measure X funds, was dedicated for the project demolition.
The ribbon cutting will take place at 1801 W. Segerstrom Ave. on the northeast side of the park closest to Adams St. and Linda Way. Public parking for the event is free and located at the lot off Segerstrom Ave.
Additional information about the park project is available on the project website. Details of the ribbon cutting event are available here.
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About Santa Ana
Santa Ana is downtown for the world-famous Orange County, California. It is the County Seat, headquarters to national corporations including a Fortune 500 company, and home to a vibrant evening scene and arts community. Over 1,700 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at www.santa-ana.org.