Parks, Open Space, and Recreation

Open Space Element

  • GOAL OS-1: Parks, Open Space, and Recreation
    Provide an integrated system of accessible parks, recreation facilities, trails, and open space to serve the City of Santa Ana.
  • Policy OS-1.1
    Park Master Plan
    Create and regularly update a citywide parks master plan to provide guidance for the acquisition, development, maintenance and programing of parks, recreation facilities, trails and open space to meet community needs.
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  • Policy OS-1.2
    Parks and Recreation System
    Provide and support a comprehensive and integrated network of parks, recreation facilities, trails, and open space that is diverse, with a variety of active and passive recreational opportunities.
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  • Policy OS-1.3
    Park Standard
    Establish and maintain public parks, open space and recreation requirements for new residential and nonresidential development to provide sufficient opportunities for Santa Ana residents and visitors. Attain a minimum of three acres of land per 1,000 persons residing in the City of Santa Ana.
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  • Policy OS-1.4
    Park distribution
    Ensure that all City residents have access to public parks, recreation facilities, or trails in the City of Santa Ana, within a 10-minute walking and biking distance of their homes. Prioritize park provision, programs, and partnerships in park deficient and environmental justice areas.
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  • Policy OS-1.5
    Park and Open Space Types
    Provide a mix of community, neighborhood, and special-use parks, along with greenway corridors, natural areas, and landscape areas, to meet community needs for greenspace, recreation space, social space, and trail connectivity.
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  • Policy OS-1.6
    Park Access and Connectivity
    Create a Safe Routes to Parks program that establishes and enhances access to existing and new parks and recreation facilities through safe walking, bicycling, and transit routes.
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  • Policy OS-1.7
    Trail Connectivity
    Collaborate with other City agencies, partners, and regional entities to provide, and connect regional and local trails, travelways, and access corridors to support recreation, active transportation, and park and program access. Consider greenways along the OC Streetcar route, flood control channels, and other underutilized sites.
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  • Policy OS-1.8
    Land Acquisition and Equitable Distribution
    Acquire available lands for parks, open space, greenways and trail corridors, with priority given to sites that are within park deficient and environmental justice areas.
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  • Policy OS-1.9
    New Development
    Require all new development to provide adequate parks and open space, including via parkland dedication or development fees, in order to meet the City’s park standard. Ensure that new development includes pedestrian and multi-modal travelways to promote a quality living environment. For new development within park deficient and environmental justice areas, prioritize the creation and dedication of new public parkland over the collection of impact fees.
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  • Policy OS-1.10
    Creative Solutions for Deficiencies 
    Develop creative and flexible solutions to provide greenspace and recreation activities in park-deficient neighborhoods. Encourage private and commercial recreational facilities that are physically open to the public and are affordable to residents of surrounding neighborhoods, and serve community needs.
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  • Policy OS-1.11
    Funding Sources
    Explore and pursue all available funding, including nontraditional funding sources, for park acquisition, facility development, programming, maintenance of existing and new parks, and to increase investment per resident and meet the City’s park standard of three acres per 1,000 residents. Set aside park funding to have monies on hand to acquire and develop parkland when opportunities arise and to leverage grant options.
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  • Policy OS-1.12
    Shared Use
    Collaborate with school districts, faith-based communities, and community serving organizations to expand shared use facilities through cooperative agreements to maximize recreation options.
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  • Policy OS-1.13
    Water Features
    Maintain, protect, and program the City’s lakes, river and creek to support recreation, resource and water quality protection, and community aesthetics.
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Community Element

  • GOAL CM-1: Recreation and Culture
    Provide opportunities for public and private recreation and cultural programs that meet the needs of Santa Ana’s diverse population.
  • Policy CM-1.1
    Access to Programs
    Provide and maintain access to recreational and cultural programs to serve residential areas. Prioritize the provision of programs for residents living within park deficient or environmental justice areas.
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  • Policy CM-1.3
    Equitable Programs 
    Encourage recreational and cultural programs and activities of local interest that are inclusive and affordable to all.
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  • Policy CM-1.4
    Shared Use 
    Expand community activities and programs provided through shared use or cooperative agreements at City facilities or partner sites.
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  • Policy CM-1.5
    Equitable Recreational Spaces 
    Promote the development and use of municipal buildings, indoor facilities, sports fields, and outdoor spaces for recreation that serve residents throughout the city, with priority given to areas that are underserved and/or within environmental justice area boundaries.
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  • Policy CM-1.10
    Community Attractions 
    Incorporate placemaking elements and technology into existing and new parks and facilities to encourage use of public spaces, access to educational resources, and community-led activities.
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Public Services Element

  • GOAL PS-1: Public Facilities
    Provide quality and efficient facilities that are adequately funded, accessible, safe, and strategically located.
  • Policy PS-1.2
    Equitable Distribution
    Ensure public services and facilities reflect changing population needs and are equitably distributed and accessible, with priority assigned to improving areas that are underserved and/or within environmental justice area boundaries.
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  • Policy PS-1.3
    Cultural and Community Centers
    Support the expansion, creation, and continued operation of cultural and community institutions and organizations that serve Santa Ana residents.
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  • Policy PS-1.4
    Civic Center Enhancements
    Explore opportunities to activate the Civic Center by incorporating social, cultural, and entertainment venue programming, and improving infrastructure and connectivity to Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
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  • Policy PS-1.5
    Community Benefit
    Collaborate with community stakeholders to expand recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities; promote active lifestyles; and maximize community benefit.
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Conservation Element

  • Policy CN-1.17
    Indoor Recreation
    Encourage new development to provide indoor recreation space when located in areas with high levels of localized air pollution or if site is adjacent to freeways or heavy industrial uses.
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Land Use Element

  • Policy LU-1.3
    Equitable creation AND Distribution of Open Space
    Promote the creation of new open space and community-serving amenities in park-deficient areas that keeps pace with the increase in multi-unit housing development, with priority given to those that are also within environmental justice area boundaries.
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  • Policy LU-2.3
    Supportive Spaces
    Provide a diversity of land uses that support residents, visitors, and businesses, such as open space, areas for community gatherings, and outdoor entertainment venues.
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  • Policy LU-2.9
    Open Space Needs
    Establish and maintain public open space and recreation requirements for new residential and nonresidential uses to provide sufficient open space and recreational opportunities for Santa Ana residents and visitors.
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  • Policy LU-4.9
    Recreational Amenities
    Encourage public, private and commercial recreational facilities in areas that are park and open space deficient.
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Urban Design Element

  • Policy UD-1.5
    Attractive Public Spaces
    Encourage community interaction through the development and enhancement of plazas, open space, people places, and pedestrian connections with the public realm.
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  • Policy UD-4.3
    Activate Open Space
    Ensure architectural and landscape design activates open space as a means to promote community interaction and enhance the aesthetic quality of development.
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  • Policy UD-4.5
    Open Space at Nodes
    Promote creative, multipurpose public space within nodes, major development projects, and people places.
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  • Policy UD-4.6
    Community-Led Installations
    Provide for opportunities to incorporate distinctive, innovative, and community-informed public art in plazas and open spaces to promote pedestrian activity.
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