Description
History of Centennial Park
Sometime around the 1950s, the city of Santa Ana acquired the land that included Centennial Park. Use of the land turned over multiple times until the 1980s. One example of this was when it was used as a landfill during the 1970s.
In the early 1980s, the land was developed for three specific uses:
- A school was built in one section.
- The Heritage Museum of Orange County was established on the south end.
- The northern section was designated as Centennial Park.
Current Amenities and Layout
Today, Centennial Park offers a variety of amenities and greenspaces. Amenities include:
- Shelters and picnic areas
- A lake
- A skate park
- Sports fields (soccer and baseball)
- Basketball courts
Most amenities are located to the right upon turning into the park from Edinger Avenue. The skate park and a few picnic tables are on the left side.
Future Renovations
The park is actively being renovated, with completion expected in 2026. Planned improvements include:
- The city’s first dog park
- New walking trails
- A lakeside event area
Fee if wanting to reserve
This park require reservations for gatherings more than 40 people. If the event is under 40 people, shelters can be used on a first come first serve basis without reservation, or a reservation can still be made although not required. Currently shelters are $10/hr for residents and $21/hr for nonresidents. Shelters cannot hold more than 12 people unless more seating is added (see photo). Visit Picnic reservations – City of Santa Ana for more.
