By Doan Trang | Saigon NHO
“Great news for Garden Grove residents, the Public Saving Building, which includes a large public park, will be inaugurated in 2026,” said Mayor Pro Tem Joe DoVinh in a recent interview with the LA Parks and Green Space Initiative of AcoM.
Proud to foster a parks and recreation system that is equitable
Located across from City Hall at the corner of Euclid Street and Garden Grove Boulevard, the Public Saving Building is a 42,000-square-foot project under Measure O. It will serve as a public venue for concerts and large-scale events, accommodating over 1,000 people.
This project represents a significant public benefit not only for the residents of Garden Grove, but also for neighboring cities in Little Saigon such as Westminster, Santa Ana, and Anaheim, and even broader Orange County.
Although not vast in size, for a city of nearly 172,000 residents, a shared community space like this, complete with a park, highlights the city’s leadership’s commitment to public well-being.
According to Mr. DoVinh, City of Garden Grove is home to 12 parks of varying sizes. Smaller parks are designed primarily for relaxation and light exercise, with amenities such as walking paths and around 10 parking spaces. Medium-sized parks offer about 20 parking spots, tennis courts, playground equipment, picnic tables, shaded areas, and can accommodate around 50 people for reserved gatherings. The largest parks include up to 100 parking spaces and are often adjacent to schools, such as Bolsa Grande High School, or established parks like Atlantis Park and Woodbury Park.
The city is divided into 12 districts, with each having access to at least two parks to ensure equitable distribution of resources. But the city’s efforts go beyond just maintaining the status quo, it actively invests in park development and upgrades. For example, Woodbury Park is currently adding pickleball courts, expected to be ready for use by the end of this year.
Major upgrades are also underway in the city’s medium and large parks, including repaving walking paths, planting additional trees, renovating public restrooms, installing automatic irrigation systems, and replacing outdated or broken playground equipment.
“The total cost of these renovations is about $2 million over two years,” Mr. DoVinh said. “We’ve secured about 80% of the budget from the state, with the remainder funded by the city, since all the parks fall under state jurisdiction.”
When asked whether residents in neighborhoods with only small parks are at a disadvantage, Mr. DoVinh emphasized that even the smallest parks provide meaningful benefits. “These parks still offer clean public restrooms and a place to enjoy fresh air, walk pets, and socialize outdoors. Though hours are limited and sometimes unhoused individuals may visit during the day, the city has increased police patrols to ensure community safety,” he explained.
To further promote fairness, the city has implemented a modest reservation fee for group use of medium and large parks. “In the past, these spaces were free to reserve. However, to support maintenance, sanitation, and security, we now charge a small fee. This also encourages greater responsibility and respect for these shared public resources,” he added.
In addition, Garden Grove is seeking funding from federal and county sources to install public art honoring community contributors in major parks.
In response to our question relates to park equitable park in the city of Garden Grove, Community Service Director John Montanchez said: “The City of Garden Grove is proud to foster a parks and recreation system that is equitable, inclusive, and designed to uplift the diverse needs of our community. Guided by our Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Master Plan, we are taking meaningful steps to expand access and enhance quality by investing in neighborhoods that have historically lacked sufficient park resources.
We actively listen to our residents, through community surveys, public workshops, and stakeholder conversations. Their voices directly shape our priorities and plans.
This approach is already producing visible results. From the reinvigoration of parks across the city to improvements in ADA accessibility and inclusive play equipment, we are working to ensure that every resident has access to safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces. We are also pursuing additional grant opportunities to bring more green space to the communities that need it most.
We are excited about the progress we have made and remain focused on building a healthier, more connected, and more equitable future for every neighborhood in our city.”
Woodbury Park Revitalization and Expansion
On July 1, 2025, the City of Garden Grove officially broke ground on the Woodbury Park Revitalization and Expansion, marking the start of a significant transformation of one of the city’s key public spaces.
The project is a collaboration between the City of Garden Grove, architectural firm David Volz Design, construction management firm Z&K Consultants, Inc., and general contractor Act 1 Construction, Inc.
The upgraded Woodbury Park will span 3.8 acres, providing a safer, more modern, and accessible green space for the community.
“For many longtime residents, this park holds cherished childhood memories and has been a place for joyful gatherings,” said Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein. “With the upcoming renovations, we honor that past while creating a new environment for future generations to make lasting memories.”
The park’s new design was shaped by extensive community input collected during multilingual public meetings held between 2019 and 2021 by the city’s Community Services Department.
The redeveloped park will feature: Two children’s playgrounds; A recreational pool; Skateboarding area; Basketball court; Walking paths; Outdoor fitness equipment; Picnic shelters; Restrooms; Expanded parking; Comprehensive lighting throughout the park.
This effort is part of Garden Grove’s Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Master Plan. With a total budget of $11 million, the project is partially funded by the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program under California’s 2018 Park Bond Act, designed to enhance access to public spaces in underserved communities. The park is slated for completion in Spring 2026.
This story was produced by American Community Media in collaboration with the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA as part of the Greening American Cities initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund. Read more stories like this by visiting the Greening Communities homepage.
