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Want to learn more about different aspects of OC Parks? Each month we bring you a Top 3 things to know about different topics in OC Parks.

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Body OC Public Works, on behalf of OC Parks, will complete a pavement rehabilitation project within Laguna Niguel Regional Park located in the City of Laguna Niguel. Park users may experience an increase in construction-related noise and dust during regular working hours. The work activity will be completed in phases, utilizing traffic control and flag personnel which will allow park users to utilize the majority of the park during construction. Park users are advised to adhere to all traffic control signage. All construction activity will occur on weekdays. read more

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Body OC Public Works will complete a routine rehabilitation project within the Ocean View Flood Control Channel in the Cities of Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach beginning Mid June 2019. read more

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Spring is here, and that means longer hours, warmer temperatures and more people – and wildlife – out in the parks.

• Parks open later: Spring-summer hours, during Daylight Saving Time, mean parks close at 9 p.m. or sunset.
• Wildlife sightings: Park rangers have reported increased sightings of snakes, including rattlesnakes. Be sure to keep yourself – and your dog, where permitted – on the trail and aware of your surroundings to avoid an encounter. Also watch out for ticks clinging to long brush and grasses. 
• Wildflowers: Take all the photos you want from the trail, but never pick wildflowers – leave them for others to enjoy and to spread their seeds for next season.
• Warmer temperatures: While it’s always important to be prepared, warmer weather makes essentials like water and sunscreen even more important.

 

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OC Parks is taking action and developing a long-term strategy to preserve public access and amenities at Capistrano Beach after coastal erosion seriously damaged a walkway.

The beach has long battled debris and damage during strong tidal conditions, and after a large storm in November 2018, the wooden boardwalk collapsed. OC Parks filed an emergency permit with the California Coastal Commission for temporary stabilization measures.

The area around the existing basketball courts and restroom building were seriously compromised. Removing the courts and restroom was necessary for public safety and to prevent further damage that could lead to ocean debris and pollution.

Demolition is taking place the week of March 11. OC Public Works is also placing sand cubes – essentially large sandbags – along the shoreline to help slow erosion.

The parking lot will be closed during this demolition phase, but beach access is not restricted. This phase is scheduled to be completed in April.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

• Once the demolition of the restrooms and basketball court is complete, County staff will assess conditions at the site and develop an interim plan for temporary improvements that will maintain public access to the beach.
• The interim improvements will include portable restrooms to temporarily replace the restroom building.
• The interim improvements will include pedestrian access to areas deemed safe.
• The interim improvements will include parking. The number of spaces will be determined while developing the plan.
• The interim improvements are temporary measures to ensure public access while longer-term options are explored.

WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM PLAN?

• Maintaining public access in a way that is safe, sustainable and sensible is the top priority.
• OC Parks is working with consultants and engineers to study erosion’s causes and effects at the site.
• OC Parks will conduct public outreach in the coming months.
• Public outreach will include discussing the constraints of the site and possible strategies going forward.
• OC Parks will coordinate with other stakeholders and land managers in the area to develop a regional solution. This includes state, city, adjacent homeowner associations and other applicable entities.
• Please see our project page for updates and more details.

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The Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve will offer twice-daily screenings of "California Mountain Lions."

Produced by UC Davis with significant input from OC Parks, this four-part documentary illustrates the nature of mountain lions in California to educate viewers on their importance to the ecosystem and ways people can help prevent their decline in our state. 

This 28-minute program will be offered twice daily in the Ray and Elsa Watson Theater in the Muth Interpretive Center.

Showtimes: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

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OC Parks recently evaluated and responded to public requests to officially recognize a pre-existing trial system in O’Neill Regional Park that intersects County property near Oso Parkway and Antonio Parkway within the Las Flores Open Space.

A trail system was established prior to the parcels being annexed to the O’Neill Regional Park inventory in 1995, which also pre-dates the current Park General Development Plan (1992). Although the property is enrolled in the Southern Sub-Regional Natural Communities Conservation Planning Program/Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), it was determined by OC Parks and California Department of Fish & Wildlife that it may be used for passive recreation (e.g.-hiking, bicycling, horseback riding).

Many of the existing trails (Ladera Ridge, Las Flores Ridge and Water Works) can remain. However, there are some required changes that must occur. OC Parks will be moving forward to make improvements and repairs to meet the established trail guideline standards.

The Water Works trailhead from Antonio Parkway will be realigned approximately 250 feet to the south to remove it from Santa Margarita Water District property onto County property.

Backdraft Trail must be removed, as it was constructed recently and does not meet the criteria as pre-existing the land annexation. In addition, it is routed directly through sensitive habitat areas where documented gnatcatcher nesting areas exist.

Body Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, a volunteer parks and open space advocacy support group, has created a History Video Series of Orange County parks. read more Links in this section relate to Body

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(Orange County, Calif.) – Congress through the National Park Service, Department of Interior, selected OC Parks as a grant recipient to “Save America’s Treasures.” The National Park Service, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, provided $4.8 million in grants awarded to 16 projects in 12 states, supporting the preservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections throughout the country.

OC Parks will use the grant for the second-phase restoration of the Joseph Pleasants Stone Building, the oldest building on the National Historic Landmark grounds at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens in Modjeska Canyon.

The grant-funded work will include repair to the second floor of the stone building, including restoration of both interior and exterior existing, character-defining features. OC Parks made a significant investment to repair and restore the first-floor stone cellar in 2007. Restoration of the second floor will complete the Pleasants Stone Cottage project, making the structure available to the public for the first time in its history.

“With this grant, we will be able to save an intrinsic part of our rich Southern California heritage,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Third District, said. “The completion of the restoration project will provide the public with a physical connection to an important piece of history.”

The preservation work under the grant is being supported by the Save America’s Treasure program, which is funded through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). The HPF uses revenue from federal oil leases to provide a range of preservation assistance without expending tax dollars.

For information about Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens, please visit the OC Parks website at:  https://ocparks.oc.prod.acquia.prometdev.com/historic-sites/arden-helena-modjeska-historic-house-and-gardens

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(Orange County, Calif.) – In 2018 OC Parks received multiple achievement awards from the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA), National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO), and the Los Angeles Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

3CMA honored OC Parks at the 2018 Savvy Awards for best use of a promotional item, and marketing tools and special activities for a recurring event. An Award of Excellence for best use of a promotional item went to Orange County Bike Bells. This program, which distributed OC Parks branded bike bells to promote safety and communication between mountain bikers and other trail users, was recognized for their its mechanism, versatility, and innovative problem solving. A Silver Circle Award for the best use of a promotional item went to the 2017 Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. Branded capes built on the event’s superhero theme, and judges complemented OC Parks for their measurable marketing impact and implementation. A second Silver Circle Award in recurring events honored the 2017 Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights for community outreach and involvement, endearing illustrations, and an innovative event theme.

The Wagon Wheel Restoration Plan, which used low-impact engineering to repair severe creek erosion while maintaining a natural appearance in Riley Wilderness Park, received multiple awards.  NACPRO recognized OC Parks with an Environmental Conservation Award for the project. This award recognizes an exceptional effort to acquire, restore, preserve, operate, or develop unique or significant conservation and natural areas or programs. 

The Los Angeles Section of ASCE selected OC Parks’ Wagon Wheel Creek Restoration Plan and Stormwater Management for the 2018 Flood Management Project of the Year. This project was recognized for its unique technical achievements, its complexity, scope and engineering features. This special recognition advances OC Parks to the California Region for awards.