The City of Costa Mesa in conjunction with Angels Charity and the Costa Mesa Community Foundation have formed a collaborative partnership to secure financial support to build a barrier-free playground, ADA-accessible restroom facility, picnic shelters and improved public access from the parking lot to all three areas at TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa. This project will provide developmentally-challenged children, their families and friends the opportunity to recreate together in a safe community park environment. The plan was the inspiration of Cost Mesa residents, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Hansen, whose daughter, Angel, is severely disabled.

Angels Charity, a 501 (c) 3, has been actively fundraising for this project. They recently received approval from the Costa Mesa Community Foundation as another 501 (c) 3 partner in their quest to provide adequate funding to make this project become a reality for the community. 

This project will consist of the replacement of the existing aging playground structure and swing set, which are now minimally ADA compliant but not barrier-free, and the installation of new recycled rubber surface for the tot lot area and the entire playground structure. The project will also include the reconstruction of an old restroom facility, which is not ADA compliant, and the replacement of an old picnic shelter and construction of a much-needed additional picnic area including site furnishings. The entire project is designed to provide the disabled community the opportunity to participate with their non-disabled friends, family and school mates in a safe community park environment, with no entrance or user fees, which will remain open daily from sunrise to sunset, providing total handicap accessibility.

Angels Charity is actively pursuing funding opportunities from private foundations, corporations and individual donors to increase the amount of matching funds for this grant venture. The Costa Mesa Community Foundation is also fundraising for part of the matching funds for this notable project.

This project has the support of two 501 (c) 3 partners but is also strongly supported by the community, as witnessed by the "Signatures of Support" submitted with this proposal. Additionally, the Newport Mesa School District supports this project, as does Fairview Developmental Center. Costa Mesa is centrally located in Orange County and therefore easily accessible to all county residents; Costa Mesa is also home to Fairview Developmental Center, which is one of only five state-funded facilities.

TeWinkle Park was determined to be the best location for this project due to several factors: the deteriorated condition of the existing play equipment, the park’s central location, and a wide range of existing support facilities including parking, accessibility, and mature landscaping. Additionally, the proposed improvements are consistent with the recently approved TeWinkle Park Master Plan and CEQA environmental compliance.