The Santa Ana City Council has chosen the name of our newest park at the corner of Bristol and Tolliver streets – Salvador Quintana Park. The new park will pay tribute to Salvador Quintana, whose life exemplified compassion, resilience and service.
Salvador Quintana was a true Santa Ana hero who helped local families during WWII and dedicated his life to serving others. In the early 1930s, he worked for the Nitta Family’s farm in Santa Ana. Amidst the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII, Salvador played a crucial role in preserving the farm. He was entrusted with the property and worked to support the interned families, making monthly trips to internment camps, delivering essential supplies and collaborating with Mr. Nitta to meet the needs of those affected. After the war, Salvador returned the land to Mr. Nitta for just $1, a gesture reflecting his honesty and respect.
In August 2024, the Santa Ana City Council posthumously recognized Quintana’s contributions to the community with an official proclamation. We are proud to see his legacy live on at Salvador Quintana Park: built for connection, play and community pride. The park will open in January 2026.
For more information on this project, please visit the project page here.