Residents can now enjoy a newly renovated George Upton All Access Park playground at Santa Ana‘s Carl Thornton Park, designed to be a more accessible and inclusive space.
City officials, along with McFadden Institute of Technology students and staff, celebrated the grand re-opening of the space in a ceremony Tuesday, March 4. Upgrades include new all-access play equipment with features such as slides and a seesaw, ADA-accessible walkways and shade structures, as well as new lighting and restrooms.
Bodhi Roberson, 3, with encouragement from his grandpa John Lee, plays on the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students from the McFadden Institute of Technology play at the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Officials and special needs students from the McFadden Institute of Technology cut the ribbon to open the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Special needs students from the McFadden Institute of Technology play at the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ignacio Muñiz, principal at the McFadden Institute of Technology and president of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana, speaks during the opening of the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995 as the Kiwanis Barrier-Free Playground and was renamed in 2019. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Officials opened the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Officials opened the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Show Caption1 of 7Bodhi Roberson, 3, with encouragement from his grandpa John Lee, plays on the refurbished George Upton All Access Park at Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana, CA on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The playground was built in 1995. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandThe $2.3 million project reflects one of the city’s priorities in its 2022 parks master plan to modernize park amenities and ensure that all children can play and explore, officials said. The playground was renamed in 2019 after the passing of Santa Ana resident George Upton, a longtime advocate for accessible play spaces for children with special needs.
“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 in a statement. “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 park upgrades were mostly funded with a $2 million state grant. The remaining costs for the park updates came from the city’s budget.
The park is at 1801 W. Segerstrom Ave.
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