Becerra, Alexis
From: Elizabeth Bausman <
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 4:15 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Washington Square Neighborhood Park
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
My name is Elizabeth Bennett- Bausman and I live in Washington Square Neighborhood within Ward 5. 1 urge you to seriously consider the area between Lowell and Olive, and 151hand 17thfor a walkable neighborhood park. Our neighborhood does not have any other vacant space that can be used for a park. Over the 35+ years we have lived in Washington Square that area has been talked about for a park several times. Most of the time the owners were not open to selling or the selling price was too high. Now it seems that both of those are coming together in a positive light to where the long awaited park could be a reality. Our neighborhood is one of the few in Santa Ana that does not have any place for our children to play, our families to enjoy outdoor exercise and games or to sit and visit, even a quiet place to enjoy nature and read. Our children are deserving of having a place to call their own and to be proud of. The infrastructure needed to make this a pleasant, welcoming place would not be much. Upkeep would be minimal as there would be no parking or facilities needed. But it would provide our families with a place where we could welcome friends and family members and enjoy some tranquility in the midst of a busy city. Please add this space to the City' s Master Parks Plan.
Thank you.
Elizabeth Bennett- Bausman
Washington Qquare Resident
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Becerra, Alexis
From: Shawn Verdin <
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 4:31 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Agenda Item # 30 Washington Square Park ( for 5- 5) Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
Dear Santa Ana City Council,
My name is Shawn Verdin, and I live in Ward 5 in the Washington Square neighborhood.
I am writing with urgency regarding a recent development.
Washington Square is a vibrant, community- focused neighborhood with tree- lined streets and strong daily resident connection, yet it lacks a dedicated park where people of all ages can gather, children can play, and the community can thrive. As an environmental justice area, a park is not just an amenity, it is a matter of equity, public health, and quality of life.
Establishing a park here directly supports the City' s Parks Master Plan goal of 1. 5 acres per 1,000 residents. With over 2,000 residents, Washington Square remains underserved, even when the 10th & Flower park under development is completed. This is a clear opportunity to improve health outcomes, strengthen community connections, and provide much- needed open space.
This project is also highly feasible:
A willing property seller is in place
The undeveloped land allows for a straightforward construction process No significant traffic or access concerns; entry is within the neighborhood Minimal infrastructure investment due to the park' s passive design The property is now actively being marketed to developers, referencing California Senate Bill 9, which allows increased residential density, potentially up to four units per lot. This significantly increases the risk of sale and development before the City can act.
The City of Santa Ana has already exceeded the housing development goals set forth by the State of California.
Increasing urban density further is not what this city needs. respectfully urge you to:
Prioritize this property for acquisition
Allocate funding in the upcoming study sessions per Option 2 of the Feasibility Study Act promptly to prevent loss to private development
Washington Square residents strongly support a neighborhood park and are deeply concerned about potential high- density development on this site. This is a rare and time- sensitive opportunity to secure a lasting public benefit by utilizing the only undeveloped land suitable for a park in our neighborhood. I urge you to act quickly.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Shawn Verdin
Washington Square Resident
1 Becerra, Alexis
From: Gay Olivos <
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 9:12 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Council Meeting of May 5, 2026 - Line Item # 30 2026/ 2027 Budget - Councilman Vazquez & Coucilman Phan
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Re: Council Meeting of May 5, 2026
Subject: Item # 30 — 2026/ 2027 Budget
Dear Mayor, Councilmembers and Staff:
There was quite a bit to cover during the Budget Presentation from last night' s May 5th Meeting which the common viewer is unable to clearly view and the fact that it was later in the evening, the attention span or at least mine began to dwindle. Regardless, I do want to " scrub" the line- item budgets and will address in an additional email by the next City Council Meeting.
However, there were a few comments which stood out:
With respects to Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez — I couldn' t agree more. We must invest in our youth, we must invest in our housing, and we must invest in our parks. As you know, I volunteer as a T-Ball Coach and Flag Football coach for the Parks and Recreation Department, and it is an opportunity and an honor to mentor these young minds — the future of our city.
Their little minds are full of curiosity and energy and I remind them that these parks are for them. The friendships and memories they will attain during practice, games, awards will carry with them forever. And I believe, keeping our Santa Ana youth in sports is key and keeps them away from " gang" activity. We have players from all over the city — they come from different neighborhoods and they attend different schools. More importantly, our parks and recreation department keep the cost low so that our youth can afford to play. Other organized sports - which are not subsidized by the city - are costly and unfortunately many children with extreme talent cannot afford the cost.
I don' t want any child who wishes to run those bases or make that touchdown denied due to the inability to pay. I have come across more single moms in the parks with more children in tow and all they want is for their child to play baseball, softball, basketball and flag football.
Keeping the registration fee low allows them to do just that. Lets keep investing in our youth.
Thank you Councilmember Vazquez for speaking up on this item. 1 With respects to Councilmember Phan — I do agree that we cannot afford $ 3 Million dollars for the Washington Square Park. I applaud you for your candid remark and you stand correct. I live in the Willard neighborhood and a block away from Washington Square and this park would benefit my family; however, it is too expensive. I like the idea of the owner' s coming down in price.
For the record, I grew up in Washington square — on Louise Street, attended Wilson Elementary and then Willard Jr High School and this was before Louise Street was blocked off at 17th Street and also parameters put in off of Civic Center along with DO NOT ENTER signs from Washington crossing Flower St and from Washington crossing from Bristol. Us kids played in the street or at Wilson Elementary — we never had a park at a time when there was still penny candy, and we drank out of the neighbors hoses. Although I am sympathetic to the Washington Square residents and I do agree a park is long overdue; I cannot agree in spending $ 3 Million to do so.
Thank you for all you do!
Gay Olivos
Ward 5 Resident
p.s. Can you please add the Economic Development presentation from Mike Garcia to the notes? I was unable to pull it up and did want to make some comments on his presentation. z
Zuniga, Diana
From:
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 5:28 AM
To: eComment
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
I live in Washington square i do not believe a park is in the best interest of Washington square, it will bring more homeless into the neighborhood and more crime
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Zuniga, Diana
From: smsalenius <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 11:52 AM
To: Amezcua, Valerie; Phan, Thai; Vazquez, Benjamin; Lopez, Jessie; Bacerra, Phil; Hernandez, Johnathan; Penaloza, David; smsalenius@aol. com; eComment Subject: Item 24: Washington Square Park
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
My name is Sylvia Salenius. I am a retired environmental planner and have been a resident of Washington Square in Ward 5 for 49 years. I raised my daughter here, attending Santa Ana schools. Throughout that time there was no neighborhood park, no safe area for play equipment, for running across a grassy field, for learning to ride a mini 2- wheeler or take a walk in a peaceful landscaped environment. Every day I see so many neighbors walking their dogs by my kitchen window. It would be great for them to have a local space to walk them in nature.
We have a perfect opportunity to create such a friendly greenspace on the vacant property at the north end of Olive and Lowell Streets! There is too much pressure to develop this land as high density apartments. Our neighborhood is a quiet refuge and should not be disturbed. Just allow us to add housing units by developing ADUs on our current lots in a way that is more consistent with our current density.
Please make the purchase of this land for a Washington Square Neighborhood Park a priority. We need a family- oriented space to get together with friends and relatives, solidify our sense of community and encourage our pride in Santa Ana as a great place to live!
Thank you for your consideration,
Sylvia Salenius
Sent from my Galaxy
1 Zuniga, Diana
From: Salvador Del Real <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 11:52 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Bike trail
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Yes it' s a great idea it will keep unwanted people from illegal activities and make safer for the people who live in this area also safety for the students who use this trail to commute to school let' s get done Sent from my iPhone
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Zuniga, Diana
From: Marcella Collins <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 12:25 PM
To: eComment
Subject: After School Programs
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
As a former teacher and parent, I can attest to the importance and great value to the community of having after school programs for students.
It gives them a safe space to socialize and participate in activities. In my opinion, there' s almost no better way to invest in the future of our community.
Marcella Collins
Sent from Yahoo Mail for Whone
1 Zuniga, Diana
From: Erika Valencia <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 1:09 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Agenda Item # 24 Work Study Session
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
To whom it may concern:
My name is Erika Valencia. As a mother born and raised in Santa Ana whose children are now also raised here, I've noticed that the City PAAL Program is facing severe budget cuts. This is concerning because my kids have been doing the City programs for two years now. Reducing the budget would affect their experience in creating memories, learning new things, and meeting new friends with similar interests.
As a concerned parent and citizen I ask you to please reconsider the budget cuts for the City PALL Program.
Thank you,
Erika Valencia
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Zuniga, Diana
From: Jessica Hernandez <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 1:18 PM
To: eComment
Subject: No PAAL cuts
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
The City' s PAAL program is facing severe budget cuts that could eliminate afterschool and summer camp programs that serve local children and families. This is completely unacceptable. In a city that has been deeply affected by ICE and has experienced a lot of pain and disenfranchisement since these dang things started WE as a community need enrichment programs. This is why our parents and grandparents immigrated here- for the collective opportunity and for the social supports and enrichment activities. This is why we pay such high taxes. Our hopes and dreams lay with the youth and the opportunities they are provided but we need to make it a priority. As a community we have come together and voiced this many a times. Now it' s time for you guys to put it to action. Make it happen.
Wanna lower crimes? Keep the youth busy. Teach them soft skills that are learned in sports and after school activities.
Studies have shown that parks filled with families increase local business foot traffic, improve safety, reduce loitering and so many other benefits AND on top of all that there is this sense of community that is fostered and cultivated. We need this on so many levels- not just from the budget perspective.
I hope this comment is taken with the serious tone it is intended with. I hope the budget cuts are reconsidered because our community needs more joy, especially for our youth.
Thank you for your time,
Jess
1 Zuniga, Diana
From: Amy B <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 1:26 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Washington Square Park, Item 24
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
Dear Madam Mayor and City Council Members,
My name is Amy Becker and I live in Ward 5. 1have lived here since 2017 after moving from South Orange County. I love my neighborhood and living in Santa Ana. 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,
Amy Becker
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Zuniga, Diana
From: pjl <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 1:32 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Tuesday Council Budget
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
For the Council meeting recommendations for next fiscal year budget:
The bike trails adjacent to the UPRR paralleling Alton Ave in the South part of Santa Ana need actively monitored cameras. This area has long been an issue with tagging, trash, camping, drugs and other sketchy activity. The activity on the trail and the railroad go unmonitored, and illegal activity is unchecked. It is very difficult for SAPIDto patrol and enforce basic public safety issues.
Installing monitored cameras would improve safety for all residents and bike trail users, especially students of Saddleback, Segerstrom, Thorpe, and Macarthur. This would encourage more use of the bike trails; alternate transportation other that private vehicles is a priority for us all.
Response times would be improved. Activity would be diminished. Trespassing could be reduced. Trash and Fire/ paramedic responses would be reduced. Calls for public works, and complaints from residents would be reduced. Petty theft, vandalism, and burglary of homes, cars, and business would be reduced. Insurance rates for homes, cars, and business would be contained or even reduced; making the area more attractive. Home and business values would improve. Aesthetics would improve. Police would be more efficient in containing and responding to issues. Police time could be better spent on higher priority items.
Having recorded evidence of issues in that area will strengthen the hand of City officials in their on- going discussions for Union Pacific to literally clean up their act.
Considering the numerous development activities in this area ( currently over 6,500 housing units in process; numerous commercial and retail units) and the impact on streets and travel, we should be making every effort to improve the area to maximize the ROI for the City on these developments, and ensure their attractiveness to new residents. And future budgets.
Installing cameras for public safety has numerous significant tangible and intangible benefits to the City.
Pete
Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." Justice Potter Stewart Please help prevent spam. Use the BCCfeature if you need to broadcast a mail. Please do not forward this e mail address. If you have received this in error, please notify sender and delete the original. This message is confidential and should not be rebroadcast without permission.
i
Zuniga, Diana
From: curt merlo <
Sent: Monday, May 18, 2026 2:35 PM
To: eComment
Subject: Item 24, Washington Square Park
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Hi,
I live in Washington Square on Olive St. and I just wanted to write to let you know we have small children and are VERY interested in the park that is being purposed for our Neighborhood. I would kindly ask that you keep the funding for the property acquisition for this project in the budget. Thank you very much! Curt Merlo
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