North OC Times

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 17, 2024) — Anaheim broke ground today on the transformation of two roadways into a gateway promenade to La Palma Park, one of the city’s largest and most iconic parks.

North La Palma Park Way and Swan Street, which run alongside La Palma Park, are set to be turned into a walking-friendly, tree-lined promenade that will serve as an entry to the 21-acre park along Harbor Boulevard in north Anaheim.

Built in the late-1930s with funding from the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration, La Palma Park is Anaheim’s second-oldest park after nearby Pearson Park and home to Anaheim High School football, the city’s first dog park and an iconic baseball field that once hosted Jackie Robinson.

The promenade is the start of a $20 million multiyear reinvestment at La Palma Park that will bring much-needed soccer fields, a basketball court, picnic areas, walkways and other renewed community spaces in the next few years.

“This is the start of a loving reinvestment in one of our most historic parks,” Mayor Ashleigh Aitken said. “This initial project will create a gateway to all the great things to come at La Palma Park, with kids playing soccer, families celebrating special events, Friday night lights football and dogs enjoying some off-the-leash time. This renewed park will be Anaheim at its best.”

The promenade project aims to enhance experiences for those walking, driving or riding their bikes to and around La Palma Park.

At the same time, Anaheim Police are leading efforts to address public safety issues at La Palma Park by targeting drug use and sales and other illegal activity while offering help and services to everyone encountered.

Anaheim’s homeless teams are also working to address homelessness around the nearby Riverside (91) Freeway which has impacted the park.

As part of the promenade project, La Palma Park Way and Swan Street will see more than 200,000 square feet of new roadway paving along with six crosswalks designed to encourage walkability.

Thirty planters will line the promenade capturing water and debris to prevent it from entering city storm drains and reaching the ocean.

Other improvements include planting 48 shade trees and over 500 drought-tolerant plants along La Palma Parkway and Swan Street. The trees aim to provide more shade while creating an attractive environment for exercise and play at La Palma Park. The landscaping makeover seeks to reduce urban heat from pavement while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions by capturing over 100 tons of carbon over several decades.

The $4 million project includes enhancing 15,700 square feet of underutilized roadway lining La Palma Park Way with planters rocks and other landscaping features aimed at capturing stormwater helping replenish groundwater supplies.

A new monument sign at La Palma Park Way and Harbor will welcome visitors while a mural will be added near Glover Stadium.

“La Palma Park is the heart of north Anaheim in District 3,” said Council Member Natalie Rubalcava who represents this area on Anaheim’s City Council. “For many families and nearby businesses La Palma Park is their park. With this project enhanced public safety measures we are restoring it as one of our most treasured parks.”

The project marked by today’s groundbreaking event is funded by a $2.6 million Clean California grant from Caltrans including new waste bins littering prevention campaign featuring Andy Anaheim mascot

“Caltrans selected this project for its promise advancing equity livability” said Eric Corona strategic investment planning lead for Caltrans District 12 “This supports goal meeting diverse needs individuals benefit equitably”

La Palama Parks place history noted Once auto scrap yard opened1939 hosting Pacific Coast League spring training game Seattle Rainiers Sacramento Senators minor league teams Philadelphia Athletics now Oakland Athletics St Louis Browns now Baltimore Orioles Joe DiMaggio Joltin Joe New York Yankee Santa Ana Air Base team World War II Jackie Robinson filmed parts Jackie Robinson Story1950 Glover Stadium named Richard Glover coach First game1956 capacity crowd9k Dee Fee Field named worked Parks Department1937-1987 Dog park monument Bruno shot duty2014 Now three dog parks Olive Hills Maxwell Dog