The Fullerton City Council has allocated approximately $3 million for the revitalization of Independence Park, a decision championed by District 5 representative Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra. Zahra secured funding for Independence Park from Congressmembers Lou Correa and Tom Umberg, as well as OC Board of Supervisors Doug Chaffee. Unfortunately, with the new administration, Correa’s funding fell through.

This funding came on the heels of the successful reopening of Union Pacific Park, which had been closed for 22 years, and the launch of the Union Pacific Trail. The trail had a very public six-year dispute between the community and the city council majority, including members Whitaker, Jung, and Dunlap. The Union Pacific Trail received a $1.78 million grant from the Urban Greening Program, thanks to the advocacy efforts of Eglith Nuncci and Zahra. This funding was originally approved unanimously by the city council in 2021, along with an additional $330,712 from Park Dwelling Funds.

When Deputy City Manager Daisy Perez suggested privatizing Independence Park at a recent Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Zahra began the real work of fighting for the public space. Zahra has been a strong advocate for public parks, opposing the privatization of these community spaces, which he believes prioritizes profit over local needs. See the video here: https://fullerton.granicus.com/player/clip/2202?view_id=2&redirect=true

Zahra argues that allowing out-of-state organizations to manage parks reduces public access and undermines the community’s interests. “Fullerton has been treating its south side as an afterthought, where families must wait years for park improvements in an already park-deficient area,” he stated, highlighting the inequities in resource allocation.

Improvements at Independence Park will include the construction of the City’s first adaptive playground, upgraded restroom facilities, and renovations to the gymnasium. Zahra believes these enhancements will ensure accessibility for residents of all abilities.

Zahra’s advocacy extends to developing a comprehensive Parks Master Plan to guide future investments in recreation across Fullerton. He has repeatedly called for a clear policy on park-dwelling fees to ensure a fair distribution of resources. Read his article here: https://fullertonobserver.com/2025/11/18/why-fullerton-needs-a-park-dwelling-fee-policy/

As Fullerton moves forward with its revitalization efforts, Zahra remains steadfast in his belief that community interests must come first, countering any trend toward privatizing public parks.

For more details on the project, residents can visit the City of Fullerton’s official website. (https://www.cityoffullerton.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-fields/independence-park).

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About the City of Fullerton
Fullerton is a vibrant community in northern Orange County, home to approximately 140,000 residents. The City boasts a diverse array of parks and recreational amenities, including 53 public parks and over 30 miles of multi-use trails. Fullerton is committed to providing a full spectrum of municipal services, including public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and community development. For more information, visit cityoffullerton.com.