The Majesty and the History of the Orange County Great Park

As you know by now, this land used to be a Marine Air Base
And the United States Department of the U.S. Navy was involved.
After a most unusual and very complicated bidding process, the City of Irvine
And the Lennar Corp. acquired the land, with many problems yet to be solved.

Something of long lasting significance was definitely desired for this land,
So, the “Orange County Great Park” Corporation was born to see that this was done.
Knowledgeable, handpicked people gained insight, studying great parks far and wide
And then a world renown team was selected to create one, right here for everyone.

Now there lies, nestled under beautiful, majestic California skies,
A truly magnificent world class park, very soon for you to behold.
It will be an environmental dream, by the experts we’ve been told
And before your very eyes, you will soon, watch it all unfold.

A world of wonderment to fulfill our dreams; flowers, canyons, trees, lakes and streams,
This park will be ecologically sound, day in and out, all year around.
We’ve sought the advice of natures professionals, from both far and near
And their direction to perfection, is now abundantly clear.

We know, that totally impressed you’ll be and that in time you will see,
That the world class “Orange County Great Park,” is the “in” place to be.
Planned events will take place here; concerts, movies, dancing and things of worldly inspire
Nothing left undone here, that anyone’s heart could ever desire!

A wild animal corridor, sports fields, picnic areas, vintage aircraft, a museum,
What more of a truly fabulous place could there ever possibly be
Than the magnificent, majestic “Orange County Great Park,”
In Irvine, between our beautiful Saddleback Mountains and the Sea!

William Grant Burns, Poet Laureate

Please don’t ever think for one minute that this world class “Great Park” just happened.
Behind the scenes, this was the dream of thousands of people who contributed so generously with their support, thoughts, suggestions, well wishes, and financial dedications going forward. Thank you so much, one and all, because without you, our “Orange County Great Park” could never have happened.