Disney Commits $5 Million to Rebuilding Popular Park After Los Angeles Wildfires

While we’re fortunately past the scary California wildfires that happened earlier this year, there’s a lot of damage that still needs to be taken care of and repaired, which takes a large amount of time and money.

In an effort to help rebuild, Disney has just announced a very large donation to restore a beloved park that was completely destroyed by the fires — Altadena’s Charles White Park.

Disney has announced that Walt Disney Imagineers are using their unique talents to help rebuild multiple areas of California that were destroyed by the wildfire. As part of their $15 million commitment to help LA recover from the disaster, Disney is directing $5 million to support the reopening of Altadena’s Charles White Park.

It’s expected to reopen in 2026 and will feature a new community center and an enhanced playground infused with Disney magic. In addition to helping with this park, Imagineers are also working with the county to help repair two additional severely damaged Altadena parks.

When speaking about assisting with the rebuilding efforts, CEO Bob Iger said that they “felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year” since Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding. He went on to say, “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.”

Other new additions to the park will be play areas inspired by Altadena’s iconic Deodar Cedar pinecones, a whimsical splash pad, bridges, boulders, and slides and swings to encourage imaginative play, as well as a new amphitheater for performances. However, many areas of the park burnt in the fire will also be carefully preserved to remember the history.

Emily Dow, Studio Executive, Architecture and Design for Disney Imagineering, said, “Disney is honored to partner with Los Angeles County to help restore and reimagine this special place, ensuring families can gather, play, and make memories for generations to come.” Disney has also been bringing joy to local students in Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and Altadena with what they’re calling “Disney Field Days,” which are highly immersive experiences featuring themed activities from Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, and Lucasfilm, offering hands-on activities, interactive games, and visits from classic Disney characters.