The city of Fullerton has announced a $3 million investment towards the Independence Park Revitalization Project, following major park improvement projects including the reopening of Union Pacific Park and the construction of the new Union Pacific Park trail.
“The work is going to start immediately and I’m hoping we will have it done this year,” said District 5 Councilmember Ahmad Zahra. “I know we can get it done this year and that’s what I will be pushing for.”
The Independence Park Revitalization Project is in Phase One, supported by local, state and county funding to address the park’s immediate infrastructure and accessibility needs.
Independence Park improvements have $2 million allocated in park dwelling funds, $1 million in state funding and $100,000 in county funding.
Construction improvements include the city’s first adaptive playground, restroom facilities, landscape and irrigation upgrades, and interior renovations to the gymnasium.
“An adaptive playground is an all-inclusive playground, so it has improved access for kids with certain physical abilities,” Zahra said. “This would be the first one in Fullerton.”
Planned gymnasium improvements include the replacement of the gym floor, modernization of interior restroom facilities and ADA accessibility upgrades.
Further phases of the park’s revitalization, including the existing racquetball building demolition, will be implemented when additional funding sources are made available.
The new Union Pacific Trail is a multi-use corridor extending through the city, connecting directly to Union Pacific Park.
Phase Two of the Union Pacific Trail connects Union Pacific Park to Independence Park, transforming the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way into the Union Pacific Trail and Bike Path, connecting neighborhoods and allowing for sustainable, active transportation.
The project also has a commitment to environmental sustainability, with 176 new trees being planted along the trail.
“We’re going to end up with a Fullerton that is greener, healthier and more livable for everybody,” said District 3 Councilmember Shana Charles.
Future development beyond Phase Two is anticipated, with hopes to connect all of the trails.
“If we can get Union Pacific Trail Phase Three done, that not only connects all of our parks in Fullerton to each other, the north and south side, but also to the greater county area,” Charles said.
In a long-term perspective, the city is beginning to develop a comprehensive “Parks Master Plan.” The plan aims to guide future investments in parks, recreation facilities and open spaces.
The planning efforts will have opportunities for stakeholder engagement and structured public input to help inform policy direction and overall priorities.
Fullerton maintains a range of parks and recreation amenities, including 53 public parks, with more than 30 miles of multi-use trails.
Council members Zahra and Charles shared their support for the renovation of Chapman Park and Hillcrest Park.
“My hope is that it would be a plan that not only identifies the current needs of our parks, maintaining our parks, sustaining our parks for the future, but also identifying new areas where we can have open spaces in our city moving forward,” Zahra said.