The city of Orange has carved out a pocket of space to offer community members a place to enjoy the open air, while also improving the water they drink.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, city leaders celebrated the opening of Antepasado Park at Lemon Street and Maple Avenue.
Also celebrated is a new well on the property that will add to the city’s water supply, but also has a new treatment system for removing “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
The Orange County Water District helped with funding for the project.
The park, a pocket of green space on a corner among businesses, homes and Chapman University near Old Towne Orange, is named the Spanish word for ancestor, officials said, in honor of the Mexican-American community’s history in the Cypress Street Barrio.
Paul Guzman, third from left, president of the Orange Barrio Historical Society, and Orange Councilmember Ana Gutierrez are joined by members of the city council and others in cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of Antepasado Park and Well 28 in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Residents examine Well 28 during the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Antepasado Park and Well 28 in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Residents examine Well 28 during the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Antepasado Park and Well 28 in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Antepasado Park grounds features concrete historical markers with vintage photos of the barrio at the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of Antepasado Park and Well 28 in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange residents explore the new Antepasado Park and Well 28 during the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the park and well in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The sign for Antepasado Park at the ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Antepasado Park and Well 28 in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mayor Dan Slater of Orange, right, speaks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Antepasado Park and Well 28 in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 7
Paul Guzman, third from left, president of the Orange Barrio Historical Society, and Orange Councilmember Ana Gutierrez are joined by members of the city council and others in cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of Antepasado Park and Well 28 in Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
