To enhance public recreation, the Fullerton City Council has approved a significant construction contract for the much-anticipated Union Pacific Trail – Phase II Project. The contract, valued at $1,845,775.95, has been awarded to KASA Construction, Inc. for the development of a new recreational trail along a section of a former railroad spur track recently acquired by the city.
Funding for the project comes from the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Adopted Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, which allocates $330,000 from Park Dwelling Funds and $1,777,200 from a California Natural Resources Agency Urban Greening Grant. Additionally, city staff is advocating for a budget transfer of $300,000 from available Park Dwelling Fund resources to accommodate an expanded project scope, ensuring its successful completion.
The new trail is designed to extend from Independence Park to the existing Union Pacific Trail – Phase I, which is located at Highland Avenue. Planned improvements include a multi-use asphalt trail, a decomposed granite pedestrian path, landscaping with irrigation, solar lighting, fencing, and a trail crossing at Richman Avenue. This phase of the project aims to create a connection between the Fullerton Train Station and the Transportation Center and the amenities offered at Independence Park.
Back in 2020, the Parks and Recreation Department secured a $1.78 million grant from the Urban Greening Program, covering essential components like irrigation, electrical work, lighting, and the planting of 176 trees. The formal grant agreement with the city was finalized in May 2022.
Earlier this year, council members approved an updated design concept for the trail improvements during a January meeting. The new design will feature 10-foot-wide buffers along the segment between Richman Avenue and Highland Avenue to allow for potential future commercial development.
KASA Construction, whose bid was submitted on April 22, 2025, was the lowest of fourteen bids received, coming in approximately 23% under the consultant’s estimate of $2,400,000. City staff have reviewed and accepted the bid as appropriate…