Community volunteers gather to install the new playground at Union Pacific Park with help from a KABOOM! grant. Photo by Mike Ritto

After more than two decades of delays, the community’s anticipation for a new Union Pacific Park is finally set to culminate in a long-awaited opening. Funding for these improvements will be delivered in two phases. The playground installation, backed by a Kaboom grant, commenced on September 13. Following this, construction, supported by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and other city sources, is anticipated to begin in October, focusing on remaining renovations, such as trail repairs and turf installation.

Photo by Egleth Nuncci

Initially slated for inauguration in 2003, the project faced significant setbacks following the discovery of soil contamination just before its launch, halting progress for years. The soil was eventually deemed safe by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in 2011. Still, remediation efforts left parts of the playground and basketball court damaged, resulting in further stagnation.

The City Council established a Union Pacific ad hoc committee and facilitated community surveys to gauge residents’ priorities. These surveys highlighted safety and engaging programming as primary concerns, aligning with the broader goal of enhancing neighborhood security through increased recreational opportunities.

Saturday, September 13, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in the project’s timeline, as the Kaboom initiative kicked off the installation of a new playground. The final design for the park has received the green light from both the Union Pacific Park ad-hoc committee and the City Council.

The plans for the 1.2 acre space include not only the playground but also picnic areas, renovated benches, a community garden, ADA upgrades, and the addition of basketball and pickleball courts.

City officials are optimistic about completing the entire project by the end of the year. Currently, the park resembles a neglected dirt lot with an unusable basketball court, but the upcoming renovations aim to transform it into a vibrant community hub that fosters pride and engagement among residents. The goal is to create a safe, inviting environment that enhances the overall quality of life in the neighborhood.

In a 2010 announcement, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) updated the public regarding the ongoing environmental investigation at Union Pacific Park, located at 141 West Truslow Avenue in Fullerton. The 1.7 acre park, situated in a bustling industrial, commercial, and residential area, had been fenced off and closed to the public as the DTSC assessed the extent of environmental contamination at the site.

“Public access was restricted while we evaluated the nature of the contamination and developed a proposed cleanup plan,” a DTSC spokesperson stated.

The agency reassured residents that there was no immediate risk to public health, emphasizing its commitment to protecting both the community and the environment.

DTSC determined that hazardous chemicals linked to past operations on the site, which operated under various capacities from 1923 to 1998, including railroad tracks, a passenger depot, and a roofing company, were present.
Sampling results indicated hazardous levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and lead in the soil, necessitating a comprehensive cleanup plan.

The investigation process began with a Remedial Investigation (RI), which identified potential contaminants, followed by a Feasibility Study (FS) to evaluate possible remediation strategies. Both studies received DTSC’s approval.

The agency anticipated a draft Removal Action Workplan (RAW) to address the contaminated soil, with plans to make it available for public review and comment in early to mid-2011. The DTSC planned to notify the community through a mailing that would outline how residents could participate in the upcoming cleanup process.

As the lead agency overseeing the investigation, DTSC remained dedicated to ensuring that the site was safe for future use. The cleanup actions were carried out responsibly to protect public health and the environment, but the park remained closed to the public by a chain link fence and abandoned despite other parks continuing to get funds and new features.
After a long-fought battle to complete the Union Pacific Trail Phase II, the Union Pacific Park finally received the attention it deserved. The community members are seeing their hard work come to fruition. This revitalization marks a pivotal moment in the push for improved community spaces and access to recreation in District 5.

Photo by Guiliana Nuncci.