Great Park Board Approves Comprehensive Master Plan

Sets Vision for Future Park Features

SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 – IRVINE, California – The Orange County Great Park Board today approved the Comprehensive Master Plan for the Great Park. They also approved the process that will determine what features will be included in the Park by officially establishing the Vision Statement, Guiding Principles and Park Program Selection Framework.

The Park Program Selection Framework specifically directs the Great Park Design Studio to evaluate programs that could be included in the Park’s schematic design. This process will shape the three distinct park areas - the Canyon, a sustainable oasis with trails and a cultural terrace; the Fields and Memorial Park featuring the Sports Park, the Great Park Balloon and Timeline; and the Habitat Park, home of Agua Chinon and the Wildlife Corridor.

“The Great Park Corporation has received many creative and interesting proposals from the public,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Great Park Board Corporation. “Today’s action guarantees that all the proposals that come to us will be evaluated fairly and professionally.”

Criteria to rate and prioritize proposed programs based on the Vision Statement, Guiding Principles and Program Selection Framework will be established. A panel of professionals will evaluate criteria and will work with the Design Studio to perform the initial program assessment.

The Park program recommendations will be presented to the Board in November, action will take place before the end of the year. As new proposals come forward they will be reviewed through a similar process in later phases of the Park’s development. A schedule of new proposals will be included in the recommendations made to the Board in December 2007.

The Orange County Great Park, which is almost twice the size of Central Park, will be a major metropolitan park and the focal point of the redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro. The Great Park will include extensive natural areas and open space in addition to recreational and cultural uses.

For more information, please go to www.ocgp.org.

Press Contacts:
Maryann Maloney
(949) 375-0856