Carl Thornton Park

Carl Thornton Park in Santa Ana is home to the George Upton All Access Park, a fully renovated inclusive playground that opened in March 2025. The $2.3 million renovation was designed to be fully accessible for children of all abilities, featuring all-access play equipment including slides, spinners, climbers, swings, and a seesaw. The park includes safety surfacing with interconnecting ramps and ADA accessible walkways, shade structures, a resurfaced basketball court, new lighting, and new restrooms.

Originally established in 1995 as the Kiwanis Barrier Free Playground, the space was renamed the George Upton All Access Park in 2019 to honor the Santa Ana resident who advocated for accessible play spaces for children with special needs. The ADA accessible walkways and interconnecting ramps ensure that the playground is navigable for visitors using mobility devices, and the all-access play equipment is designed so children of varying abilities can participate alongside one another.