A rendering of the reopened Charles White Park in Altadena (Photo – Disney)
Disney Imagineers are stepping out of their theme-park workshops and into local neighborhoods as they help restore community spaces devastated by this year’s Los Angeles wildfires.
By Rena Kurlander
The Walt Disney Company announced in a press release that its creative engineering teams are helping to reimagine parks and public spaces lost to the fires, including Altadena’s beloved Charles White Park.
The restoration is part of Disney’s broader $15 million commitment to support Los Angeles’ long-term recovery. Of that, $5 million is dedicated specifically to rebuilding Charles White Park, which is expected to reopen in 2026 with a new community center and a greatly expanded playground.
Disney Imagineers have been working with county officials since early this year on site planning, landscape concepts, and play-area design. For some, the work is deeply personal: several lost their own homes in the fires, adding emotional weight to the project.
The revitalized park will blend creativity with local heritage. New play features will draw inspiration from Altadena’s iconic Deodar Cedar pinecones, while families can look forward to a splash pad, bridges, boulders, slides, and swings. A new amphitheater will anchor performances and community gatherings. Portions of the park that survived the fire will be preserved, creating a balance of remembrance and renewal.
Disney is also supporting recovery efforts at two additional Altadena parks that suffered severe damage.
Company leaders underscored the importance of helping the region heal. CEO Bob Iger emphasized Disney’s century-long roots in Los Angeles and praised the Imagineers volunteering to shape the new spaces, calling their work a reflection of Disney’s “creative spirit” and commitment to its neighbors.
Local officials echoed that sentiment. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the Imagineers’ involvement offers “hope, joy, and healing” to families who endured immense loss this year. Ian White, son of the park’s namesake artist Charles White, called the restoration a “transformative moment” for a community scattered by the Eaton Fire.
Disney’s assistance extends beyond construction. This holiday season, the company will help revive cherished local traditions, including the Dec. 6 Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony and Winter Festival, one of the oldest outdoor holiday light displays in the country. Visitors can expect Disney character appearances, volunteer opportunities to support families in need, and a donation of more than 1,000 toys to the community’s annual toy drive.
In recent months, Disney has also hosted “Disney Field Days” for students in Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and Altadena, offering interactive experiences themed around Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. The company also provided films for 60 family movie nights across Los Angeles County this fall.
As rebuilding continues, community members say the Imagineers’ contributions are helping restore not just playgrounds, but a shared sense of home.
A rendering of the reopened Charles White Park in Altadena (Photo – Disney)
Leave a Reply