Santa Ana’s first dedicated splash pad is now open at Portola Park.
City leaders and residents gathered Saturday morning, July 18, for a ribbon-cutting at the park to celebrate the official opening of the splash pad, which is expected to activate underused park space and provide much-needed heat relief during the warmer months.
Children get splashed as they play in the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The City of Santa Ana held a ribbon cutting to open the new Splash Pad on Saturday morning. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Water from the new Splash Pad at Portola Park cools off neighborhood kids in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Kids cool off as a bucket of water splashes on them in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The bucket is part of the new Splash Pad at Portola Park and dumps water every three minutes . (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, center, joins kids in trying out the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Gerardo Huerta of Santa Ana plays with his kids, Rafael, 4, left, and Luca, 8 mos at the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, center, cuts the ribbon for the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Joining her are council members David Penaloza, second from left, and Jessie Lopez, third from left. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A boy plays with water spouting from the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. City of Santa Ana officials were on hand for a ribbon cutting for the new splash pad. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A boy plays with the water spouting from the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A boy runs in. and out of a water spout at the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The new Splash Pad at Portola Park also features shade structures in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The new Splash Pad at Portola Park features outdoor showers as well in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
A boy runs through a water spout as he tries out the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Children get splashed as they play in the new Splash Pad at Portola Park in Santa Ana on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The City of Santa Ana held a ribbon cutting to open the new Splash Pad on Saturday morning. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
The new interactive water-play area features spray elements, new shade structures and outdoor showers, designed to provide a fun, safe, and accessible experience for children and families of all ages and abilities, city officials said.
Councilmember Jessie Lopez, who represents Ward 3, said the project reflects “real progress” in the ward after “years of advocacy and persistence.”
Portola Park, located near the intersection of Santa Clara Avenue and Lyon Street, also offers picnic areas, basketball courts, a multipurpose field, tennis courts, and a playground for tots and youth. Upgrades were also made to the park’s restroom areas, which Lopez said were “long overdue,” with renovations to address aging infrastructure and improve ADA accessibility.
“I’m proud to support projects that create safe, inclusive, and vibrant spaces in our neighborhoods, and I can’t wait for our community to enjoy this exciting new addition,” Lopez said in a social media post.
