Great Park On Schedule

Board Explores Programs to be Included in Park

NOVEMBER 8, 2007 – IRVINE, California – The development of the Great Park is moving along on schedule. The design team is on track to complete a more detailed schematic design for Board approval by spring of 2008. Over the last 18 months, the Great Park Board Corporation hired a design team led by Master Designer Ken Smith. The Design Team produced a comprehensive Master Plan that was approved by the City of Irvine in September of this year. The Board is now reviewing the evaluation process for programs that might be included in the Park.

“It is exciting to see the Park come together,” said Larry Agran, Chair of the Orange County Great Park Board Corporation. “We are now evaluating the types of activities that the public might enjoy at the Great Park.” “This Park is truly a testament to the value of community participation. That participation is what will ultimately make the Great Park truly great.”

Programs that are being evaluated have come from a variety of sources including meetings with stakeholder groups, presentations by groups and individuals and recommendations from Board members. Over 100 programs are under evaluation now and new programs will be evaluated in the future.

On December 1st and 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the public will have an opportunity to meet with members of the Great Park Design Studio and comment on possible Park programs. Some of the programs under consideration are:

Suggested Park Programs
Community Gardens, Nature Trails, Overlooks, Bird Watching, Soccer Fields, Geo-caching, Skateboard Park, Outdoor Performance Spaces, Tea House, Eternal Flame Veterans Memorial, Aircraft Museum: Chess Tables, Cinematic Theatre, Oral History Project, Cultural Gardens, Multicultural Center, Field-to-Fork Agriculture, Playgrounds, Cross Country Running Course, Exercise Circuit, Equestrian Facilities, Paddleboats and Rowboats

The Orange County Great Park, which is almost twice the size of New York’s 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