“This master plan Â… epitomizes Irvine’s spirit of hospitality, making sure that this park is truly a place of relaxation, recreation and renewal of spirit for all.”
That was Irvine Planning Commission Chairwoman Mary Ann Gaido, quoted by The Register on yesterday’s big news on the Great Park. The Great Park Master Plan has been approved by the Irvine Planning Commission. Apparently, the commission liked the 2.5-mile-long canyon, botanical gardens, the sports park, the wildlife corridor, the museums, and that lovely 23-acre lake.
So what are YOU thinking about the Great Park? Do you like the idea of a 2.5-mile-long canyon? Are you happy about the wildlife corridor? What do you want to see in the botanical gardens? And is this all what you were hoping for when Measure W passed in 2002?
Since the Great Park will be Orange County’s park, I’d like to get a better idea of what Orange County is thinking about the park. So go ahead. Make my day. Fire away! 🙂
The majority of OCGP Directors seem to be working to satisfy the varied wants of the Orange County community, while the goal of sustainability (such as promoting less energy use, and using recycled water) was built into the park planning process from the very beginning.
Projects in and near the park that encourage us to use public transportation and walk or bike instead of driving are examples of sustainable planning that encourage personal and regional health. Recycling all the runaway (and other materials) from the base onsite is an example of a sustainable and cost-saving project that is happening right now.
The critically important wildlife corridor has been included in the initial planning design, as has the use of almost 70% California native plants. Using native plants in the park is a beautiful way of creating a sense of local “placeâ€Â, and of providing habitat for birds, endangered insects (such as butterflies) and other wildlife, which in turn, park visitors will be able to enjoy.
It is important that we continue to watch this process unfold, to make sure that we are moving forward in a sustainable direction.