Great Park Programs Move Forward

JUNE 20, 2008 – IRVINE, California – The Orange County Great Park Corporation Board today moved several
priority Park Programs into the next phase of the planning process.

Programs moving forward are: Agriculture and Food; Arts and Culture Exhibition Space; Aviation Museum; Cultural Terrace; Fire Museum; Sports Park and Visitors Center. Additional programs advanced, subject to identifying potential partners, include: Amphitheatre; Botanical Garden; Library; Multi-Cultural Center; National Archives and Water Science Park.

The Center for Community Organizations and the Demonstration Garden will proceed when a memorandum of understanding with funding partners are negotiated.

Study of the Equestrian Center will take place in the future. The Orangewood Academy program study was suspended at the request of the Orangewood Foundation.

“Development of the Great Park continues to move forward as we refine this complex planning and design process,” said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation Board. “This next phase of planning will identify and resolve issues related to program funding, land use compatibility, building and facilities requirements, and entitlement issues.”

The board approved a not-to exceed budget of $1,817,000 for the feasibility analysis. The Board also directed staff to identify potential funding partners and negotiate agreements to fund these studies.

Outlined below are the Park Programs now moving to the next level of analysis and feasibility review:

Park Programs: Next Phase Feasibility Analysis

Agriculture and Food: The Agriculture and Food Program offers many avenues for park patrons to learn, experience and taste a piece of Orange County history. The program would bring together Orange County local farmers and food banks to participate in a wholesale community production farm that would also provide produce to local disadvantaged communities through food banks. Level 2 Feasibility will study the Preview Farm, the food Exchange Program, the Tree Farm Facility, and Interim Farm Land Availability and Schedule.

Amphitheatre: An Amphitheatre at the Great Park is envisioned as a major venue for music and theatrical performances for diverse audiences. Initial study revealed a variety of types of amphitheatres that could be considered in the Great Park. As part of Level 2 analysis, a “Cultural Terrace Study” will be conducted to focus on land use, design and programming issues related to an amphitheatre. It will also provide an analysis of the suitability of various types of amphitheatres and recommendations for further consideration.

Arts and Culture Exhibition Space: The Art and Cultural Exhibition space is conceived as places where various artistic disciplines and expressions can be exhibited. The implementation of this proposed program would result in a new “Art Agenda” that supports public space devoted to art and culture. This program would bring art and culture to new and existing audiences.

Aviation Museum: The Aviation Museum would emphasize the importance of the military history on this land, the people who made that history, and the importance of the infrastructure inherited from the El Toro Marine Airbase. The museum would include an outdoor installation of military aircraft and equipment.

Botanic Garden: The Great Park Botanic Garden will actively engage visitors, and encourage them to see the landscape in a new way and to imagine their role in creating a healthy, sustainable lifestyle for them selves and their communities based on the natural habitat models around them.

Center for Community Organizations: The Center for Community Organizations is a multi- tenant center for public agencies and non-profits, consisting of a building or campus where mutual location of organization offices, convening spaces and incubation work increase interaction and mission achievement.

Demonstration Garden: As a precursor to the Botanical Garden, the Demonstration Garden will be source of inspiration that will be integral to making the Great Park a unique place at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Equestrian Center: An equestrian center at the Great Park is envisioned as a facility that could both serve both equestrians and entertainment programs. Staff is recommending that study of the Equestrian Center Program be deferred to a future time.

Fire Museum: The California Fire Museum will memorialize the achievements and sacrifices of “fire fighters” in Orange County and throughout California over nearly 150 years. The facility is envisioned as a full service museum to include vintage fire fighting vehicles/trucks/equipment, an archive and library, an education center to teach history and current fire prevention/safety methods.

Library: The Library would provide research and library resources for the Great Park and the surrounding region. A “Cultural Terrace Study” will be conducted that would include the land use, design and programming issues related to a library and other Cultural Terrace uses, and will provide an analysis of the library and provide recommendations for further consideration.

Multi-Cultural Center: The Multi-Cultural Center at the Orange County Great Park is envisioned to be a place of diverse expression, learning and dialogue for the entire region. The Center will aspire to build understanding, promote celebration of the diversity of today’s American culture and to offer the public expanded opportunities for civic dialogue and resolution of emerging issues.

National Archives: The National Archives envisions the construction and lease of a 60,000 square feet facility that would house and display the National Archives regional collection treasures that are most interesting or often used, as well as other records and artifacts “on loan” from the Archives’ Washington, D.C. headquarters, other regional archives, and the twelve Presidential Libraries they manage. They also hope to collaborate and partner with he Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Orange county Archives to showcase displays and exhibits of county significance at the facility.

Sports Park: A recent three-day planning session (called a Charette) revealed a comprehensive Sports Park Plan that built on an earlier plan. The Level 2 Feasibility Study will focus on the Sports Park as a tournament destination facility, it’s integration with the Great Park overall, the connection between the Sports Park and Lifelong Learning District, and soccer as a key program element.

Visitor Center: The Great Park Visitor Center is a facility to orient and educate visitors on the Park’s programs and features, the educational opportunities, sustainability and ecological programs and the cultural and social dimensions.

Water Science Park: A Water Science Park at the Great Park I envisioned as a facility that respects the physical scale, the architectural and visual balance of the Park, incorporating the latest principles of sustainability in its design operations and offers a substantive recreation component.

The Level 2 Feasibility Study will provide additional decision making information to the Board including the location of the Program within the Park; any planning building and facilities requirements; any changes in zoning, master plan modifications or other entitlement issues; and a business plan for the program.

The Orange County Great Park, which is almost twice the size of New York City’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:
Marsha Burgess
Manager of Communications
Orange County Great Park Corporation
(949) 724-7404