Destination: The Orange County Great Park

We all know that in musical history terms,
“You’re nobody until somebody loves you,
You’re nobody until somebody cares”!
They say that in geographical historical terms,
You’re no place ideologically until,
Somebody makes your place a destination!
So, allow me now to introduce you to,
Destination: The Orange County Great Park,
Place: The City of Irvine, California.

I remember this place now called, The City of Irvine,
When it was just a twinkle in the developer’s eyes,
On Culver Road you could breathe in the aroma of orange blossoms
Under the most beautiful, of azure of California skies!

But that for me and my family was over fifty years ago.
Now, the City of Irvine has taken its place as a leader of today
And throughout Orange County, you can hear the people say,
That our very fine city administrators are truly leading the way.

Irvine is known as one of the safest and best planned cities in America,
Has wonderful weather year around, a beautiful setting and greatness bound.
It’s not the Irvine we remember of long ago, of orchards and farmlands,
She’s all grown up now, magnificently grand, and proudly taking her stand.

So, how do you get from being a place to being a destination,
By creating a world class great park for everyone’s admiration,
You get the most gifted and talented people that you can possibly find
And you take all the time you need, to build the envy of our nation!

To accomplish this vital mission, they formed “The Great Park” team
And as I write this poem, they’re building this marvelous dream.
It’s going to take many years and at times, progress may be slow
But we’ll become a destination, all of America will come to know!

William Grant Burns, Poet Laureate