Anaheim officials are developing a new 3-acre park, named River Park, situated behind Angel Stadium along the Santa Ana River. Expected to open next summer, the park is a key component of a larger city initiative to transform the river corridor into open space, an effort that comes years after homeless encampments were cleared from the area.
River Park is designed to reflect the region’s native ancestry and will feature a playground, an exercise zone, a sundial, and picnic seating. The plans also include panels providing information about native wildlife, an interactive canoe, and a poem that will span the length of the park.
A notable aspect of the project is the absence of dedicated parking facilities for River Park. City staff publicly indicated there were unspecified obstacles to building parking for the space. Instead, officials are relying on future development at Angel Stadium to provide the necessary parking for the park’s visitors.
Rudy Emami, the city’s public works director, addressed the parking situation at a city council meeting late last month. He explained that parking would be incorporated into future discussions with the Angels and the development of that site, ensuring interaction and connection. Emami also suggested that establishing the park first would reinforce and enhance any future development planned for the property, encouraging its incorporation of the park.
Emami’s remarks came just a week before Angels Owner Arte Moreno announced his decision to sell the baseball team. This announcement follows a city hall corruption scandal from years prior, which ultimately led to the implosion of a previous deal to sell Angel Stadium to Moreno.
River Park is intended to kick off the implementation of a larger undertaking known as the OC River Walk Project. This initiative is a projected $200 million revamp of the riverbed corridor, stretching from Angel Stadium past the Honda Center to the Anaheim Coves. The overarching goal is to transform the river into recreational open space, complete with a new trail, pedestrian and bicycle bridges, and inflatable dams.
Last month, city council members unanimously approved a roughly $4.5 million contract with a Palm Desert-based landscape contractor for the park’s construction. According to a staff report, the park’s construction will be funded entirely through environmental grants, with officials allocating nearly $5.5 million towards the park in their current budget. River Park will mark the 69th park developed within the city.
The new park project has also reignited discussions regarding the future of the publicly owned Angel Stadium, particularly in light of Moreno’s recent sale announcement. While officials have repeatedly denied long-term discussions concerning another land sale for the taxpayer-owned property, city staff had publicly hinted at potential development at the stadium prior to the sale announcement. A private meeting between city officials, real estate consultants, and Angels executives is set for 2025 to discuss the surplus land act.
Following the Angels sale announcement this month, Mayor Ashleigh Aitken commented on the situation, stating it was premature to discuss any future development. However, she expressed hope that the new owner would work with the city to create an “innovative development plan that would benefit the residents,” potentially including youth sports fields, housing, and hotel development.
Beyond River Park and the broader river walk project, other developments are underway near Angel Stadium. Across the freeway, the Samueli family is developing the OC Vibe, a new mixed-use entertainment district around the Honda Center, which is slated to include restaurants, hotels, parks, and a concert hall.
