Fullerton oil field faces $20 million funding gap for parkland purchase

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The Friends of Coyote Hills organization reached the final stage of a 25-year campaign to secure 510 acres of former oil field land in Fullerton, California, for use as a public nature preserve. While the State of California authorized a $95 million purchase agreement with Chevron-Pacific Coast Homes in April 2026, the project currently faces a $20 million funding shortfall. Successful completion would expand the protected area to 582 acres, preserving habitat for 15 rare, endangered, or sensitive species, including the threatened California gnatcatcher.

Consequences

If the remaining $20 million is secured, the purchase will conclude between 2026 and 2027, permanently removing the property from potential commercial development. Failure to close the funding gap leaves the remaining acreage susceptible to the ongoing threat of development that has impacted the site for 50 years.

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