Body

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.

Links in this section relate to Body

Body

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.

Body

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

Body

(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

Links in this section relate to Body

Body

(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.

Body

 

For the past 20 years, Orange County Codified Ordinance OCCO 2-5-29(n) prohibited the use of all motorized conveyances, including electric bicycles (eBikes) on all County bikeways and trails.

On July 17, 2018, the Board of Supervisors passed a revision to the ordinance, making the following exception: “Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles, as defined by the California Vehicle Code, on those regional paved, off-road bikeways designated for such use by the Director of OC Parks.”

Currently, this means that Class 1 and 2 eBikes are now permitted on more than 75 miles of Orange County bikeways including:

• Coyote Creek Bikeway in Buena Park, La Mirada, La Habra, and Los Alamitos.
• Santa Ana River Bikeway.
• Bay View Bikeway at Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach.
• San Diego Creek Bikeway in Irvine and Newport Beach.
• Peters Canyon Bikeway in Orange and Irvine.
• Hicks Canyon Bikeway in Irvine.
• Aliso Creek Bikeway (section north of Awma Road) in Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, and Aliso Viejo.
• Salt Creek Bikeway in Dana Point.
• San Juan Creek Bikeway in Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano.

Due to safety concerns, all classes of eBikes continue to be prohibited on unpaved trails within regional and wilderness parks where there is reduced long-distance visibility and/or width to accommodate trail users who need to veer out of the path of another user traveling at a high rate of speed.

Links in this section relate to Body

Body Starting March 19, OC Parks and habitat restoration specialists will begin a pampas grass removal project at Talbert Regional Park, South of Victoria Avenue. Park visitors may experience some temporary trail closures during this time. Learn more about the Talbert Regional Park by reading the full Habitat Restoration Plan Links in this section relate to Body

Body

Campers now must use certified pest-free wood in campfires, or purchase wood from park office.

OC Parks is initiating a new firewood policy designed to reduce the risk of damaging Orange County’s oak and sycamore woodlands and other trees from invasive pests.

Effective today, visitors to OC Parks’ two camping parks, Caspers Wilderness Park and O’Neill Regional Park, may no longer bring or burn outside firewood, unless it is commercially produced, heat treated and labeled “Pest Free” or “Safe to Move.” This is due to highly invasive and destructive non-native insects that could travel in firewood and decimate local tree populations.

The Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) and Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) are invasive pests contributing to ongoing tree mortality in California, and both have been found in Orange County. These pests and pathogens can easily be moved from place to place by hiding in firewood. Campgrounds around the state are taking steps to slow the spread of tree pests by limiting the movement of firewood.

Wood from shipping pallets, scrap lumber, tree trimming services, etc. is prohibited. Gathering of dead wood or other plant material within the park is not permitted.

Treated firewood bundles will be available for purchase at the park office of our camping parks.  

Thank you for doing your part to protect the campsites you love and conserve our natural resources. To find out more about the pests and firewood, please go to:

OC Parks Campground Flier

California Firewood Task Force - http://www.firewood.ca.gov/index.html

Don’t Move Firewood - http://www.dontmovefirewood.org/

Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB) - http://ucanr.edu/sites/gsobinfo/

Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) - http://ucanr.edu/sites/pshb/

Links in this section relate to Body

Body Starting Jan. 22 through late February, OC Public Works will complete a rehabilitation of the Upper Newport Bay parking lot. The rehabilitation includes removing existing decomposed granite and replacing it with sand-colored pervious concrete, installing wheel stops, and striping parking stalls. The parking lot will be closed at all times for the duration of the construction period, including weekends. Park users should plan to park at alternative locations. OC Public Works will install an electronic message board at the parking lot entrance two weeks prior to construction to notify park users. read more

View PDF

Links in this section relate to Body