(Orange County, Calif.) – Join OC Parks, Newport Bay Conservancy and volunteers around the world for Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay on Saturday, Sept. 23. Lend a helping hand and make a positive impact on our coastlines as we work together to remove trash and recyclables from the marsh, waterway and beaches.

Every September, families, friends, co-workers, schools and scouts from across Orange County come together to volunteer their time cleaning up Upper Newport Bay. This year’s goal is to remove more than 10,000 pounds of trash, as waste items can harm wildlife, pollute waterways and impact public health.

“I look forward to participating in Coastal Cleanup Day at the Upper Newport Bay every year,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Last year, we cleaned up thousands of tiny Styrofoam particles that washed into the Bay. We must protect our beautiful Newport Bay for current and future generations to enjoy. I invite volunteers of all ages to participate in this great opportunity to clean our coast and get involved in your community.”

At least 800 volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to clean up trash from the uplands and marsh areas of the Bay and remove invasive plant species. Volunteers will meet at various mini-cleanup sites around the 11-mile stretch of the Bay. Exact meeting locations will be announced prior to Sept. 23.

Participants are encouraged to wear old clothes, closed-toe shoes (tall/rubber boots are best) and bring a refillable water bottle, reusable mask, gloves and a trash bag or bucket. A commemorative t-shirt will be given to everyone volunteering. 

September 23 - Coastal Cleanup Day

Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Cost and Parking: Free

Location: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-cleanup-day  

Additional Event Partners: Newport Bay Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, City of Newport Beach, Orange County Coastkeeper and Newport Aquatic Center

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• Chinese-Traditional
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OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

WHAT: 

Crews will construct improvements at the Newport Beach Harbor Patrol Facility that will be ADA compliant and improve public access. Improvements include:

• Constructing a concrete pathway from the facility parking lot to an existing walkway at Bayside Beach.
• Modifying curb ramps.
• Replacing sidewalk panels.
• Applying a slurry seal material and re-striping the facility parking lot. The parking lot will be closed October 4-6. 

NOTE: Partial lane closures and sidewalk detours will be required. Motorists and other road users may experience delays near the project area during working hours. Traffic control safety measures will be in place.

WHERE: 

Newport Beach Harbor Patrol Facility, 1901 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, CA.

WHEN: 

Anticipated Construction Duration:
September 11, 2023 – Late October 2023

Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors.

During Construction: 

• Portions of the sidewalk may be temporarily closed.
• Access to some parking areas may be temporarily restricted or limited as the slurry seal is applied and new stripes are painted.
• Please observe all safety signs, barriers and personnel when near the project area.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Miguel Ochoa | Sr. Construction Inspector

(714) 719– 1719

ProjectInfo@ocpw.ocgov.com

Rudy Alfaro | Sup. Construction Inspector

(714) 448-0804

ProjectInfo@ocpw.ocgov.com

To contact the Newport Beach Harbor Patrol Facility, please call (949) 723-1002.

(Orange County, Calif.) – As of Thursday, August 24, 2023, some trails and facilities throughout OC Parks remain closed following Tropical Storm Hilary.

Park impacts include wet and muddy conditions, downed trees and debris.

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, the following facilities remain closed:

• Ball fields at Craig Regional Park
• Parking lots A and B at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
• Tennis Courts 1 and 2 at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
• Wilderness area at Mason Regional Park 

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, August 24, 2023, the following facilities have reopened:

• Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
• Carbon Canyon Regional Park
• Caspers Wilderness Park
• Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
• O'Neill Regional Park
• Peters Canyon Regional Park
• Riley Wilderness Park
• Santiago Oaks Regional Park
• Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park 

Refunds are being issued to visitors with campsite and shelter reservations that have been cancelled due to the storm. 

OC Parks staff are continuing to assess damage to parks facilities and clearing debris as needed to ensure the safety of parks employees and visitors.

Please visit ocparks.com/alerts for the latest park closures and alerts.

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OC Parks

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

(Orange County, Calif.) – Out of an abundance of caution for public safety, all OC Parks facilities, trails, beaches and campgrounds are closed Sunday, August 20, 2023, due to potential impacts from Tropical Storm Hilary.

The temporary closure includes all County operated beaches and regional, wilderness and historic parks. All programs and events for Sunday, August 20 are cancelled. In addition, all incoming reservations for campsites and shelters are being cancelled and refunds are being issued.

Campers located at O’Neill Regional Park and Caspers Wilderness Park are being informed of the potential danger from the Tropical Storm and being asked to evacuate.

Park staff have been preparing around the clock for Tropical Storm Hilary and will remain onsite at parks and beaches to closely monitor safety conditions and assess the storm's impact.

OC Parks will continue to monitor weather conditions and perform ongoing damage assessments to parks facilities as needed to ensure the safety of parks employees and the public.

Please visit ocparks.com/alerts for the latest park closures and alerts.  

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OC Parks

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

(Orange, Calif.) – Chairman Donald P. Wagner of the Orange County Board of Supervisors cut the ribbon on a new Habitat Adventure Trail at Irvine Regional Park in Orange on October 3.

“This trail allows visitors of all ages to have fun learning about plants and animals that live in Orange County’s natural habitats,” Chairman Wagner said. “I am excited to open this new amenity and thank OC Parks for transforming this area in beautiful Irvine Regional Park for all to enjoy.”

The Habitat Adventure Trail is a quarter-mile loop featuring a walking trail with interpretive panels, nature-themed play components and new irrigation and planting. Users can learn about plants and animals in four different habitats along the way, including oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, riparian and chaparral.

Formerly known as the Children’s Garden, OC Parks utilized grant funds from the California Department of Parks and Recreation Habitat Conservation Fund, Trails Program to revitalize the 4-acre area near the Irvine Regional Park entrance.

Irvine Regional Park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the spring and summer, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the fall and winter. Parking is $3 per vehicle Monday - Friday and $5 on weekends. Visit ocparks.com/Irvinepark for more information.

*This project has been completed as of 9/21/2023.*

Placement of up to 45,000 cubic yards of sand material from the Santa Ana River, from OC Public Works, at Capistrano Beach and the southern portion of Doheny State Beach within the City of Dana Point. This is a joint project between OC Parks, OC Public Works and California State Parks. Public access may be limited during construction.

What:

•    Transport of 45,000 cubic yards of clean sand removed from flood control maintenance in the Santa Ana River.
•    Screening of sand and trucking to the beach area north of Palisades Drive.
•    Placement of sand along approximately 2,000 linear feet of beach.

DETOURS AND SAFETY
Flaggers will direct pedestrians and bicyclists to avoid the work area. Watch for additional traffic control measures including construction signage.

BACKGROUND
Additional sand serves to counter coastal erosion, protect coastal resources and enhance recreation areas. The California Coastal Commission (CCC) has approved placement of sand as an interim measure.

When:

Anticipated Construction Duration:
June 15, 2023 – Fall 2023

Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Working hours and schedule will vary due to tides, inclement weather, ocean conditions and other factors.

Where:

Capistrano Beach Park
35005 Beach Road, Dana Point, CA 92624

Contact Information:

Sean Bengtson | Interim Operations Manager, Coastal Operations

(714) 973-6864

ocparks@ocparks.com

(Buena Park, Calif.) – After temporary closure in April 2022, the Interpretive Center at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park in Buena Park has once again reopened to the public.

The Interpretive Center has offered visitors of all ages the chance to enjoy local history since its original opening in 1988. Since then, the center has displayed an array of fossils recovered within Clark Regional Park, northern Orange County’s Coyote Hills and other surrounding areas, as well as an exhibit about the archaeology and cultural traditions of the people who have called Orange County home for more than 10,000 years. The Interpretive Center also contains a fishbowl lab where visitors can view how fossils and artifacts are prepared for research and display. 

Over the past year, the facility underwent extensive renovations including roof repair, beam replacement and new window installation to preserve and improve the center for future generations.

“Clark Regional Park’s Interpretive Center is loved by both children and adults and provides visitors with an educational view of prehistoric Orange County,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “With the completed renovations and upcoming additions, the center will welcome future generations to enjoy fossils and artifacts found right here in Orange County.” 

The California Natural Resources Agency recently awarded Clark Regional Park’s Interpretive Center with the California Museums Grant. This three-year grant-funded project will be used to upgrade exhibits that have been in place for more than 15 years and improve the overall guest experience by providing new content for all learners. Additions will include expanding exhibits of the County’s archaeology collection developed in collaboration with local Native American tribes to highlight the intricate link between Indigenous communities and the land.

The Interpretive Center will be open Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. School and group tours are available with advance reservation. Please call 714-973-3170 for more information.

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• Chinese-Traditional
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• Vietnamese

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About OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

Lake Forest, Calif. -  The County of Orange and OC Parks invite you to experience the annual Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event celebrates the history of the rancho and Native American cultures through hands-on activities, music, dancing and more in a family-friendly atmosphere. 

Rancho Days Fiesta will feature activities for all ages including exhibitors, vibrant performances, crafts, piñata breaking and more. Folklórico and Native American dancing will be showcased, along with Charro horse riding and roping demonstrations. The historic buildings at Heritage Hill Historical Park will be open for tours, courtesy of the Amigos de la Colina docents.

“We look forward to another year of celebrating Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park,” said Donald P. Wagner, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “This event is a wonderful way for guests of all ages to learn about and commemorate the rich history of Orange County.” 

Heritage Hill Historical Park represents distinct eras in the early development of Saddleback Valley and the town of El Toro. Experience the excitement and activities of the rancho era with OC Parks at Rancho Days Fiesta. Pets are welcome outdoors only on leashes no longer than six feet. Admission and parking are free.

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May 6 - Rancho Days Fiesta 

Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Parking: Free

Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630

Contact: (949) 923-2230

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OC Parks

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

OC Public Works will complete repairs and maintenance at Capistrano Beach Park, an OC Parks beach, within the City of Dana Point. Public access may be limited during construction.

What:

• Removal of approximately 200 linear feet of sandcubes and other remnant material.
• Construction of a revetment from new and salvaged rock (rip-rap).
• Backfilling with sand from stockpile.
• Repairs to existing sandbag protection.

PARKING LOT CLOSED
The parking lot will be closed during construction. No stopping or parking will be permitted.

DETOURS AND SAFETY
Flaggers will direct both pedestrians and bicyclists to avoid work area. Watch for additional traffic control measures including construction signage.

BACKGROUND
Sandcube protection placed in 2015 has reached its useful life and is in need of replacement. The California Coastal Commission (CCC) has approved use of rock as an interim measure.

When:

Anticipated Construction Duration:
April 25, 2023 – Early June 2023

Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Working hours and schedule will vary due to tides, inclement weather, ocean conditions, and other factors.

Where:

Capistrano Beach Park

35005 Beach Road, Dana Point, CA 92624

Contact Information:

Bruce Poma | Supervising Construction Inspector

(714) 448-1672

projectinfo@ocpw.ocgov.com

Celebrate summertime outdoors with 10 free concerts and 14 free movie screenings at OC Parks June 9 to Sept. 8

(Orange County, Calif.) – The County of Orange and OC Parks are proud to present the annual OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series. Enjoy summer nights under the stars with free live music and movie screenings at regional parks throughout Orange County. All events are family-friendly with free parking and food and drink options available for purchase. 

OC Parks Summer Concert Series returns with 10 free outdoor concerts Thursday evenings, June 22 to Aug. 24 from 5 to 8 p.m.  Enjoy live music from exceptional bands and artists at Craig Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.

The concert series kicks off with Paco Versailles June 22 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, followed by popular local and acclaimed touring artists including Sweet and Tender Hooligans, The Rembrandts, Ozomatli, No Duh, FlashPants, The English Beat, The Aquabats! and Queen Nation. Flashback Heart Attack will close out the 2023 OC Parks Summer Concert Series with an electrifying performance at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.

OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series brings the big screen to your favorite regional parks with 14 free movie screenings Friday nights beginning June 9 to Sept. 8 at Craig Regional Park, Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Yorba Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. Guests of all ages can enjoy recent blockbusters and popular classics, complete with pre-show entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. Showtimes begin after sundown, at approximately 8 p.m.

Friday night films kick off June 9 and include Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), A Bug’s Life (1998), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Clueless (1995), Lightyear (2022), Nacho Libre (2006), Cruella (2021), Kung Fu Panda (2008), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), Uncharted (2022) and Mamma Mia! (2008). 

“The County of Orange and OC Parks are thrilled to bring another fun-filled summer of entertainment to the community,” said Donald P. Wagner, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Enjoying a free concert or movie in the beautiful parks across the County is a wonderful way for visitors of all ages to celebrate the summer outdoors."

OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series are open to all ages and free to attend with free parking. Food trucks will serve a variety of cuisines at each location and a beer and wine garden will be available to those 21 and over. Join your friends and family and enjoy free concerts and movie screenings this summer with OC Parks.

Read this release in:

• Chinese-Traditional
• Korean
• Spanish
• Vietnamese 

OC Parks Summer Concert Series

Thursday nights, 5 p.m. (Event starts at 5 p.m., live music begins at 6 p.m.)

*Translation services available upon request.*

Date: June 22

Concert: Paco Versailles @ Craig Regional Park

Date: June 29

Concert:  Sweet and Tender Hooligans @ Craig Regional Park

Date: July 6

Concert: The Rembrandts @ Irvine Regional Park

Date: July 13

Concert: Ozomatli @ Irvine Regional Park

Date: July 20

Concert: No Duh: The Ultimate Tribute to No Doubt @ Mason Regional Park

Date: July 27

Concert: FlashPants @ Mason Regional Park

Date: August 3

Concert: The English Beat @ Mile Square Regional Park

Date: August 10

Concert: The Aquabats! @ Mile Square Regional Park

Date: August 17

Concert: Queen Nation @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

Date: August 24

Concert: Flashback Heart Attack @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

OC Parks Sunset Cinema

Friday nights, 6 p.m. (Event starts at 6 p.m., movie begins at sunset)

*All movies will be shown in English.*

Date: June 9

Movie: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) @ Craig Regional Park

Date: June 16

Movie: A Bug’s Life (1998) @ Craig Regional Park

Date: June 23

Movie: Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) @ Carbon Canyon Regional Park

Date: June 30

Movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) @ Carbon Canyon Regional Park

Date: July 7

Movie: Top Gun: Maverick (2022) @ Yorba Regional Park

Date: July 14

Movie: Clueless (1995) @ Yorba Regional Park

Date: July 21

Movie: Lightyear (2022) @ Irvine Regional Park

Date: July 28

Movie: Nacho Libre (2006) @ Irvine Regional Park

Date: August 4

Movie: Cruella (2021) @ Mason Regional Park

Date: August 11

Movie: Kung Fu Panda (2008) @ Mason Regional Park

Date: August 18

Movie: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) @ Laguna Niguel Regional Park

Date: August 25

Movie: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) @ Laguna Niguel Regional Park

Date: September 1

Movie: Uncharted (2022) @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach

Date: September 8

Movie: Mamma Mia! (2008) @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach 

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OC Parks

OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com