The City Council voted on Dec. 9, 2010, to name this park for Sgt. Matthew E. Mendoza, who died in combat at the age of 24. The park was dedicated in his honor in a ceremony held on March 26, 2011. Sgt. Mendoza was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force. He died on June 20, 2008, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Mendoza family lived near the corner of Hillje and Betty Jean streets, where the park is located, when Sgt. Mendoza was growing up. He was a 2003 Highlands High School graduate. He left behind his wife Valerie and son Matthew Jr.