Santa Anita Park, a 1939 landmark developed in part by residents of one of Santa Ana’s historic Chicano neighborhoods, is open to the public once again after a five-year closure for renovations.
Read more Dangerous heat expected across Southern California through weekend
The park, at 300 S. Figueroa St., recently celebrated the completion of an $18 million project that transformed the aging park with upgrades that include a new 8,000-square-foot community center, synthetic turf soccer fields, a renovated basketball court and swimming pool, a new playground and expanded parking.
The newly renovated pool at Santa Anita Park in Santa Ana on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new playground equipment at the newly renovated Santa Anita Park in Santa Ana on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Santa Anita Park Community Center and pool at the newly renovated Santa Anita Park in Santa Ana on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The newly renovated Santa Anita Park Community Center in Santa Ana on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The basketball court at the newly renovated Santa Anita Park in Santa Ana on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new soccer field at the newly renovated Santa Anita Park in Santa Ana on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new soccer field at the newly renovated Santa Anita Park in Santa Ana on Monday, July 27, 2026. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“The reopening of Santa Anita Park represents our shared vision for a stronger community where families have safe places to gather, children have opportunities to play and grow, and neighbors have access to quality parks and programs close to home,” Mayor Valerie Amezcua said in a statement. “This $18 million transformation demonstrates our promise to continue improving quality of life throughout Santa Ana — one neighborhood at a time.”
Read more Chargers QB Justin Herbert forming new connections for new season
Funding for the renovations came from multiple local, state and federal sources, including $3.1 million from the city’s Cannabis Public Benefit Fund, officials said. The fund uses revenue from the city’s cannabis tax to help finance youth programs, code enforcement and police services.
The community center also includes a Santa Ana Police Department substation and space for PAAL (Police Athletics and Activities League) programming. It will also house offices for city staff and provide facility reservation services.
Read more What we know about FBI raids in the Inland Empire, other Southern California sites