Carl Thornton Park
Rate this placeNearby: Adams Park Griset Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Carl Thornton Park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike in the state of California.
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Summary
The park is located in Santa Ana and offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.
One of the main reasons to visit Carl Thornton Park is for its well-maintained and spacious play area for children. The playground has multiple structures and a soft surface for safety, making it a great place for kids to burn off energy.
In addition to the play area, the park also has several sports fields, including a softball field, a basketball court, and a volleyball court. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic in the park's designated picnic areas, which have tables and grills available for use.
One of the most unique features of Carl Thornton Park is its large lake, which is stocked with fish and open for fishing. Visitors can rent a boat or bring their own to enjoy the serene surroundings and catch some fish.
Interesting facts about Carl Thornton Park include its history as a former landfill site that was converted into a park in the 1960s. The park is named after a former city council member, Carl Thornton, who was instrumental in the park's creation.
The best time of year to visit Carl Thornton Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. The park is open year-round, however, and visitors can enjoy its amenities in any season.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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