Anaheim Wetlands

The Anaheim Wetlands, located at 1800 La Palma, was devastated by the Freeway Complex Fire of November 2008. This park consists of a 12.6-acre “man-made” wetlands area located immediately adjacent to the Santa Ana River at 1800 La Palma Ave. The wetlands were established in 1986 as an off-site mitigation project associated with the development of a nearby auto mall. At the time of its completion, it was widely heralded as a successful example of a man-made, self-sustaining, wetlands area. It was also recognized as representing an innovative compromise between the sometimes competing demands of conservationism and economic development. Nearly all of the wetlands are owned by the City of Anaheim with a small portion owned by the County of Orange. The wetlands area consists of three ponds that contain approximately 2 surface acres of water, extending to a depth of up to eight feet. Until the recent Freeway Complex fire, the ponds were surrounded by approximately 10 acres of diverse, landscaped habitat area. The primary plant materials within wetlands site include Cattails, Bulrushes, Alder trees, Sycamore trees and Cottonwood trees. In areas where the landscaping was destroyed by the fire, new plantings and hydroseeded plant material were installed as part of the restoration after the fire. Some of the existing beneficial plant species are recovering as well. The wetlands also serve as an important biological resource for a multitude of wildlife species including various waterfowl, raptors, amphibians, reptiles and fish. Immediately beyond the wetlands site, there exists a vibrant riparian community that surrounds the Santa Ana River which is un-channelized at this location. The wetlands area is adjacent to, and easily accessed from, the heavily- used Santa Ana River trail. The visibility and accessibility offered by its proximity to the trail is an important site attribute. The wetlands are open for public use.

Colony Park

The recently completed Colony Park is located at 501 E. Water Street. The park integrates a formal park design with design aspects that feature the story of Anaheim’s history. A bubbling water fountain begins the journey of the Santa Ana River as it winds its way through play areas into the park’s central art feature. The educational art piece mimics irrigation techniques and original land plots of the City. Additionally, the park includes a formal double row of trees framing an open lawn area, two grids of citrus trees, shade structures, and play equipment for different age groups.

Colony Park is now open to the public and has received an award from the American Planning Association.

Edison Park

Edison Park Play Area Improvements:
The City of Anaheim was awarded a grant for the new playground equipment at Edison Park. The grantor, KaBOOM!, facilitates projects where community partners come together to fund and provide the volunteer labor to install new playground equipment and other needed amenities. In addition, five (5) “Energi stations” (exercise equipment stations), were installed adjacent to the walking path. This cooperative effort included the Walt Disney Company, Anaheim Family YMCA and the Anaheim City School District. This project was completed June 22, 2011. Edison Park is located at 1145 N. Baxter Street.

Founders' Park

Recently completed and dedicated on July 23rd,Founders’ Park is located at 400 North West Street in the Colony of Anaheim. The one acre public park celebrates Anaheim’s agricultural history. Walkways lead visitors through recreated 19th century landscapes, and pictorial signage interpret the facing hardships our founders faced on the way to fulfilling a utopian dream. 

The new Carriage House and Pump House, typical outbuildings in 19th century Anaheim, create additional space for exhibits and programs, while also providing meeting space and restroom facilities.  Nearby, the windmill and orange grove demonstrate the vital relationship between water and agricultural prosperity.  A vegetable garden, working water pump, clothesline and sundial supply opportunities for hands-on activities.

Featuring the historic Woelke-Stoffel House, Pioneer House of the Mother Colony and a landmark Moreton Bay Fig Tree, favorite school field trip destinations for nearly 50 years, Founders’ Park is also the perfect setting for tea parties, themed fundraisers, intimate weddings and corporate events.

Construction of the park was paid for by grants from the County of Orange Board of Supervisors and State of California Parks.

Through the extensive community input process, Anaheim residents gave input on the design of the new park and recommended name Founders’ Park.

Miraloma Community Center and Park

“Miraloma Park and Community Center” is a working title for the project which is located at 2600 E. Miraloma Way, Anaheim, CA 92806. The proposed project will include the renovation of existing 4,312 square foot warehouse building into a neighborhood community center and the development of the surrounding city owned property into a neighborhood park. Site amenities include a perimeter loop trail, a skate plaza, outdoor classroom area, picnic facilities, interactive water feature, drought tolerant landscape, and playground.

Palm Lane Park

Palm Lane play area improvements:
The playground at Palm Lane Park, located at 1595 W. Palais Road, is in the process of being upgraded. Improvements include removal of the center concrete steps to create more play area, installation of new play equipment and swings, new seating, a security light and trees. Construction is expected to begin early summer 2012.

Anaheim Outdoors

The City of Anaheim is beginning the development of a citywide connectivity plan. The Community Services Department has been awarded grants under the State of California’s Urban Greening Planning Grant Program and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Compass Blueprint Demonstration Project Program. Both of these grants will be used to fund this project.

The connectivity plan will increase green space throughout the City by identifying a system of green corridors which will connect residents, visitors and employees to both existing and planned high-density urban areas. The plan will identify projects that emphasize shade trees, pocket parks and open spaces, a river walk, multimodal and non-motorized trails and pathways, demonstration gardens, wildlife corridors, bioswales, and other storm water filtration and collection systems.

Municipal connectivity plans are often referred to as “necklaces” which are corridors of linear parks linked by trails, paths, parkways and waterways. These pathways are corridors of transportation that serve as a connection to nature and the community. There are several municipal connectivity plans referred to as “Emerald Necklace” projects throughout the United States and Canada including Boston, Massachusetts, that was completed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1895; Cleveland, Ohio, and Los Angeles. Regional Golden Necklace projects are being kicked off in northern California and Los Angeles County. The City of Orange has a trail referred to as the” Pearl Necklace” along the Santiago Creek. Due to the emphasis of Anaheim’s future connectivity plan’s major link to the venues within the Platinum Triangle area, Anaheim’s connectivity plan will be referenced by the name “Platinum Necklace.”

The City will be conducting a series of public input programs in late summer 2011.

Ponderosa Park

Ponderosa Park is located at 2100 S. Haster Street, Anaheim, CA, 92802. As part of the development of Ponderosa Elementary School, the School District constructed the school library as a joint City/District library to be used by the District during school hours and by the public when school is not in session. The District also upgraded and enhanced Ponderosa Park, including but not limited to electrical facilities, fencing, new parking lot, new open space, and a new soccer field.
The City has requested $5,000,000 in grant funding from California State Parks to construct a new Community Center and Gymnasium at Ponderosa Park.

The Ponderosa Park Family Resource Center was originally built in the 1960s, and lacks the required space to serve thousands of residents each month who participate in classes and programs.

Between October and December 2010, the City conducted a series of community meetings to determine the park amenities and recreational opportunities most needed by the surrounding neighborhood. Feedback from the community drove preliminary design of the facility, leading to the inclusion of a full-court basketball gymnasium, several meeting and counseling rooms, and an exercise/aerobics room. The community gave input concerning the location of the facility on the site and other park amenities, with great concern given to safety and crime prevention. Green building methods and materials as guided by LEED requirements will be incorporated in this project.

Twila Reid Park

Twila Reid Park is located at 3100 E. Orange Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92804. Improvements to the existing restroom and recreation building are now complete. The project consisted of enlarging the restrooms, improvements to the community room and surrounding patio and landscaping.

Willow Park

Willow Park Restroom:
The City of Anaheim is completing improvements at Willow Park consisting of the construction of a new restroom building which will also contain a new water well facility operated by the City’s Public Utilities Department. The new water well will provide your neighborhood with a new source of water and increased water service reliability. Willow Park is located at 1625 W. Crone Avenue.

The City of Anaheim is completing improvements at Willow Park consisting of the construction of a new restroom building which will also contain a new water well facility operated by the City’s Public Utilities Department. The new water well will provide your neighborhood with a new source of water and increased water service reliability. Willow Park is located at 1625 W. Crone Avenue.