Ed Caruthers Park project on Raitt and Myrtle streets
423 S. Raitt St
Construction period
Fall 2021 – Fall 2023
Project description
This project is now complete and brought a new 1.18-acre neighborhood park on two City-owned parcels at the northeast corner of Raitt Street and Myrtle Street. This project is unique because the storm water Best Management Practices (BMPs) on site are designed to infiltrate storm water runoff not only from the park itself, but also from the surrounding neighborhood. When it rains, storm water runoff from the surrounding neighborhood and new park will flow into the Bioretention Basins and subsurface infiltration system and will percolate back down into the ground. The project is designed to capture approximately 5.3 acre-feet per year of storm water from the 10-acre drainage area, helping to improve water quality in the Newport Bay watershed, enhance local water supplies, and reduce flooding.
Project components
- Skatepark
- Playground equipment
- Exercise area
- Picnic area
- Drought-tolerant landscaping
- Walkways
- Security Lighting
- Restroom
- 3,300sq-ft of storm water bioretention basins
- Subsurface storm water infiltration system
- Off-site right-of-way improvements
Funding
Total project cost of $4.4 million with five funding sources:
- State of California (California Natural Resources Agency) Statewide Park Development & Community Revitalization Grant: $1,626,905
- State of California (Department of Water Resources) Proposition 1 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant: $1,670,000
- Federal: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2016: $848,093
- Federal: HUD; Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2018: $180,000
- City of Santa Ana Cannabis Public Benefit Fund: $114,023
Project history
On June 21, 2022 the Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved the new park be named Ed Caruthers Park. Edward Julius Caruthers Jr. is a former athlete of Santa Ana College who went on to compete in Track & Field events for the United States of America in the 1964 and 1968 Summer Olympics, and was awarded the silver medal in the men’s high jump event at the 1968 Summer Olympics held in Mexico City. Additionally, Ed Caruthers played a significant part in a silent protest during the Olympic Games bringing attention to the way African Americans were being treated as they continued the struggle for civil rights.
After his impressive and influential athletic career, he went on to serve the community by teaching special education courses in the Garden Grove Unified School District for more than 35 years and coaching at Santa Ana College as a part time assistant track coach. Ed Caruthers remains an impactful leader and the City recognizes his contributions to the Santa Ana community. Through Ed Caruthers’ contributions, the City endeavors to continue to celebrate diversity, provide inclusive services, model compassion, and ensure access to programs, events and open park spaces.