Agenda Packet_2026-03-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks & Public Spaces Parks and public spaces are limited and valuable resources that provide multiple benefits to those living and working in Santa Ana. They provides places of relaxation and reprieve from the urban environment and offer places to gather, celebrate, learn, or exercise, whether one is alone, with friends, family, or other members of the community. The City boasts a variety of resources and provides hundreds of acres for public open space and recreation. However, many neighborhoods in the City continue to lack public parks in the amount and proximity needed to adequately service residents. The City's General Plan provides goals and policies to explore ways to provide parkland at a ratio of three acres per 1,000 residents citywide and a more equitable distribution across the many neighborhoods that make up Santa Ana. Public spaces, such as libraries, are vital for community well-being as well, offering free access to resources, fostering social interaction, and promoting civic engagement, making them essential for learning, connection, and democratic participation. F*/J Sandpointe Park In early October 2025, the City launched a transformative partnership t` with KABOOM!, the Pacific Life Foundation, and First Financial Resources to deliver a new, youth- Y inspired playground at Sandpointe ' Park, replacing a deteriorating play structure that had begun to limit safe play opportunities for children. This new investment directly addressed long-standing play space inequities in a neighborhood that had been experiencing the negative impacts of "Above: Picture of Youth Inspired Playground at Sandpointe aging park infrastructure. Park. The project united the City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agency, the Public Works Agency, Pacific Life Foundation volunteers, First Financial Resources, and local residents in a highly collaborative, community-driven effort. Centered on authentic community engagement, the playground was designed with direct input from local youth and parents, ensuring the final design reflected the needs, culture, and aspirations of the neighborhood it serves. Constructed over two days by nearly 200 volunteers, the new playground now provides a safe, vibrant, and inclusive space for play, connection, and healthy development for children and their families in the Sandpointe Park neighborhood and surrounding community. The playground stands as a tangible example of how strategic collaboration with community and corporate partners can reverse the impacts of outdated infrastructure and transform resident-driven ideas into lasting public spaces that promote equity, wellness, and community pride. 21 City Council 10 — 29 3/3/2026