Washington Square Walkable Park

Urgent Update May 31st, 2026

You helped convince most of the City Council to insert funding for the land purchase for our park in the '26/'27 City Budget. Washington Square needs to continue being the "squeaky wheel" to keep the park in the budget until the June 16th final vote.

We're asking residents to help with this last chance effort to get our park approved:

1. Send an email to the City Manager, Mayor and City Council Members ASAP before 3PM on Tuesday, June 2nd. We've learned that it's most effective to send emails to the councilmember's emails directly. Your subject line should be: Agenda Item 23, Washington Square Park.

2. Attend the City Council meeting this Tuesday, June 2nd and make a public comment either in person or via Zoom or just come and support your neighbors Instructions are in the agenda for 6-2 Here

More information on the urgency to get a park in Washington Square can be found here.

Here is a suggested template for you to customize with your name and address. Feel free to make it your own. Mention your family and what a walkable park would mean to you. If you choose to write your own, please mention the facts in bold as they are key points that the Council needs to hear. The first template is the longer one from the mid-May flyer. There are ten shorter templates following. Scroll all the way down to the email list to copy and paste or Jump directly to the email addresses. Remember to include a subject line.

Subject: Agenda Item #23 Washington Square Park

Dear City Manager, Madam Mayor and Santa Ana City Council,

I’m [Your Name], a resident of Ward 5 in Washington Square.

Thank you for listening to our residents, enabling the completion of the feasibility study, and including a neighborhood park for consideration in the 2026/27 budget. I understand the difficult budget decisions ahead, but I urge you to keep funding for the park land acquisition a priority.

This is a rare opportunity. The only remaining vacant land in Washington Square is currently for sale, and if the City does not act now, we may lose the chance to create a neighborhood park forever.

This park is about more than open space—it is about families, health, and community well-being. It would provide a safe, walkable place for children to play, families to gather, seniors to walk, and neighbors to connect.

A neighborhood park would strengthen our community and serve generations to come.

If we lose this opportunity, we may lose it forever.

I respectfully ask that you keep funding for this property acquisition in the budget and help make this long-awaited park a reality for Washington Square.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Subject: Agenda Item #23 Washington Square Park

Dear City Manager, Madam Mayor and Santa Ana City Council,
I’m [Your Name], a resident of Ward 5 in Washington Square. 

Thank you for your initial support of a neighborhood park in our community. As you finalize the upcoming budget, I urge you to keep the land acquisition for our park a top priority.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Washington Square. Because the only remaining vacant land is currently for sale, the math is simple: If we don’t buy it now, this park can never happen.
A park is more than "open space"—it is an essential investment in:

• Youth Safety: A dedicated place for children to play and learn to ride bikes.
• Public Health: A walkable space for seniors and parents with strollers to stay active.
• Community Safety: A "neighborhood heart" that builds the connections that keep a city strong.

We have a willing seller and a united community. We are not asking for a "nice-to-have" luxury; we are asking for the same basic infrastructure that other neighborhoods enjoy.
Please keep the funding for this property acquisition in the final budget. Don't let this opportunity slip away forever.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Dear Madam Mayor, City Manager, and Santa Ana City Council,
I’m [Your Name], a resident of Ward 5 in Washington Square. .

I am writing to ask you to protect the funding for the Washington Square park land acquisition in the upcoming budget.

This is our final chance. The land is currently for sale, and if the city does not act now, Washington Square will be permanently left without a walkable park.

Our neighborhood is full of families, children, and seniors who deserve a safe, local place to gather. Please prioritize our community’s health and safety by ensuring this land purchase remains in the budget.
Thank you for your leadership and for standing with Washington Square.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Dear Madam Mayor, City Manager, and Santa Ana City Council,
I’m [Your Name], a resident of Ward 5 in Washington Square. 

I respectfully ask you to keep funding for the Washington Square park land acquisition in the final budget.

This is likely our community’s only opportunity to create a neighborhood park, as the remaining vacant land is currently for sale. If the City does not act now, this opportunity may be lost permanently.

Our neighborhood needs a safe, walkable place for children to play, families to gather, seniors to walk, and neighbors to connect. A park would strengthen the health, safety, and quality of life of our community for generations to come.

Please make the Washington Square neighborhood park a priority in the final budget.
Thank you for your consideration and service to Santa Ana.

Dear Madam Mayor, City Manager, and Santa Ana City Council,
I’m [Your Name], a resident of Ward 5 in Washington Square. 

I am writing to ask you, sincerely and respectfully, to keep funding for the Washington Square neighborhood park land acquisition in the final budget.

For many families in our neighborhood, this park represents something deeply important: a safe place for children to play, for parents and grandparents to gather, and for neighbors to connect close to home. Right now, our community does not have a walkable neighborhood park where these simple but meaningful moments of daily life can happen.

Children in Washington Square deserve a place to run, ride bikes, play on grass, and grow up with the kinds of memories that parks create. Older residents deserve a peaceful place to walk and sit outdoors. Families deserve a shared space that brings people together and strengthens the sense of community that makes Washington Square so special.

What makes this moment especially important is that this may be our only chance. The remaining vacant land is currently for sale, and if the City cannot act now, the opportunity to create a neighborhood park here may disappear forever.

Please help us create something lasting for future generations of families in Washington Square. This park would become the heart of our neighborhood for decades to come.
I respectfully ask you to keep this funding in the final budget and help make this long-awaited dream a reality.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Dear Mayor Amezcua, Mr. City Manager and Santa Ana City Council,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a parent and resident of Washington Square in Ward 5.

I am asking you to please keep funding for the Washington Square park land acquisition in the final budget.

As parents, we want our children to have a safe place close to home where they can play, ride bikes, meet friends, and spend time outdoors. Right now, our neighborhood does not have a walkable park where families can gather together without having to drive across the city.

A neighborhood park would give children a healthier and safer place to grow up while also creating stronger connections between families and neighbors. These kinds of shared community spaces matter deeply to the quality of life for families in Santa Ana.

Most importantly, this may be our only opportunity. The remaining vacant land is currently for sale, and if the City does not act now, Washington Square may never have another chance to create a neighborhood park.

Please help make this park a reality for the children and families of our community.
Thank you for your consideration and service.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Dear Mayor Amezcua, Mr. City Manager and Members of the Santa Ana City Council,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a parent and resident of Washington Square in Ward 5.

I am asking you to please keep funding for the Washington Square neighborhood park land acquisition in the final budget.

As parents, we want our children to grow up with safe places to play, explore, and spend time outdoors close to home. Right now, our neighborhood does not have a walkable park where families can gather, children can ride bikes safely, or kids can simply run and play on grass.

A neighborhood park would give our children a healthier, safer, and more connected community. It would also create opportunities for families to meet neighbors, build friendships, and strengthen the sense of community that makes Washington Square special.

This may be our only opportunity to make that happen. The remaining vacant land is currently for sale, and if the City does not act now, we may lose the chance forever.

Please invest in the future of Washington Square families and keep this funding in the final budget.
Thank you for your consideration and service to Santa Ana.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Senior-Focused Versions

Dear Mayor Amezcua, Mr. City Manager and Santa Ana City Council,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a longtime resident of Washington Square in Ward 5.

I respectfully ask you to keep funding for the Washington Square neighborhood park land acquisition in the final budget.

As residents grow older, nearby green space becomes even more important. A neighborhood park would provide a peaceful and accessible place for seniors to walk, sit outdoors, spend time with grandchildren, and connect with neighbors close to home.

Parks improve health, reduce isolation, and strengthen community ties across generations. Washington Square is a close-knit neighborhood, but we still lack a shared public space where residents of all ages can gather together.

This opportunity will not come again. The remaining vacant land is currently for sale, and if the City cannot secure it now, our neighborhood may lose the chance for a park forever.
Please help create a lasting place for families, seniors, and future generations in Washington Square.
Thank you for your service and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Dear Mayor Amezcua, Mr. City Manager and Members of the Santa Ana City Council,

My name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of Washington Square in Ward 5.

Please keep funding for the Washington Square neighborhood park land acquisition in the final budget.

For many older residents, a neighborhood park is not a luxury — it is an important part of health, mobility, and community connection. Many seniors in our neighborhood would benefit from having a peaceful, walkable place nearby to exercise, sit outdoors, meet neighbors, and spend time with grandchildren.
A local park would help reduce isolation, encourage healthier lifestyles, and provide a shared gathering place for residents of all ages.

Most importantly, this may be our community’s only chance to create a park in Washington Square. The remaining vacant land is currently for sale, and if this opportunity is lost, it may never return.
Please help create a lasting community space that will serve both current residents and future generations.

Thank you for your service and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Longtime Resident Versions

Dear Mayor Amezcua, Mr. City Manager and Santa Ana City Council,

My name is [Your Name], and I have lived in Washington Square for [number] years.

Over the years, I have watched this neighborhood grow into a strong and caring community. One thing we have always lacked, however, is a true neighborhood park — a shared space where families, children, and longtime residents can come together.

I respectfully ask you to keep funding for the Washington Square park land acquisition in the final budget.

This is a rare opportunity that may never come again. The remaining vacant land is currently for sale, and if the City does not act now, future generations of residents may lose the chance to ever have a neighborhood park in Washington Square.

A park would become part of the legacy of this neighborhood. It would provide a place for community gatherings, outdoor recreation, and everyday moments that strengthen the bonds between neighbors.
Please help preserve this opportunity and invest in the future of Washington Square.
Thank you for your consideration and service to Santa Ana.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Dear Mayor Amezcua, Mr. City Manager and Members of the Santa Ana City Council,

My name is [Your Name], and I have lived in Washington Square for [X years].

I am writing to respectfully ask you to keep funding for the Washington Square neighborhood park land acquisition in the final budget.

Those of us who have lived here for many years have watched generations of families grow up in this neighborhood. Washington Square has always been a close-knit community, but we have never had a true neighborhood park where residents of all ages can gather and enjoy shared public space close to home.

This park would be a lasting investment in the future of our neighborhood — a place for children to play, families to gather, and neighbors to connect for generations to come.

What makes this especially urgent is that this may be our only opportunity. The remaining vacant land is currently for sale, and if the City cannot act now, the chance to create a park in Washington Square may be lost forever.

Please help preserve this opportunity and make this long-awaited community park a reality.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to Santa Ana.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]