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Great Park Board Reviews 36 Month Park Development Plan

Posted on: Monday, 23 March 2009, 15:02 CDT

IRVINE, Calif., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Park Chief Executive Officer Mike Ellzey and the Great Park Design Studio presented a 36 month Park Development Plan to the Great Park Board of Directors on March 19, 2009. The proposed Plan covers a first phase of development for approximately 500 acres of the Park. Three distinct areas are included in the proposed plan including a recreation district, an agriculture district, and a lake and cultural district. On April 23, 2009, Great Park staff will present their specific recommendations for Park development to the Board for approval.

"As a result of our careful master planning process we are now ready to begin production on major elements of the Great Park," said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Board Corporation. "The Plan presented to us will serve the needs of many diverse constituencies by creating areas of the Park that emphasize sports and recreation, production of healthy food, and a focus on arts and culture."

Under the plan, 2.6 million cubic yards will be moved and 185,000 cubic yards of runway would be removed to create the three districts. The specific features within the districts include the first eight tournament level soccer fields in the sports park, the completion of the 27.5 acre Preview Park surrounding the Great Park Balloon, a 125 acre "working farm," event lawns, picnic meadows, a cultural terrace site, a performance bowl, a 20 acre lake and 7.3 miles of walking and bicycle paths.

"We are thrilled the Sports Park is scheduled in the first phase of production," said Dr. Mike Jones, past president, Irvine Sports Committee. "The soccer fields will be a significant asset for youth and amateur soccer throughout the region."

The 185,000 cubic yards of demolished runways could be made into recycled "El Toro Stones" that could serve both aesthetic and practical uses. "Production costs will be far less today than three years ago when construction projects were at their prime," said Michael Pinto, Vice Chair, Great Park Board Corporation.

The 125 acre agricultural district could include row crops and a tree nursery, including the 5,000 Valencia Olinda citrus trees recently donated to the Great Park. Trees in the nursery could also be grown to create a bosque - a shaded tree grove that will be at the entrance creating the image and branding of the Park.

Pat Fuscoe, the Design Studio's civil engineer, said the lake would perform several valuable functions within the Park. "The lake could serve as a park-wide irrigation source as well as serving as a beautiful background to the cultural terrace and performance bowl area."

Great Park CEO Mike Ellzey suggested, "The project could serve vital regional needs for job creation and construction could take place around the clock, benefiting the local economy in a variety of ways."

For more information please visit www.ocgp.org.

SOURCE Orange County Great Park

Source: PR Newswire

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