Project Summary: OC Parks is partnering with OC Public Works to restore the Stone House on the grounds of Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens. The Stone House is expected to be closed until Winter 2023. All construction activities will occur on weekdays.
What: This project consists of repairing the upper floor of the existing 2-story historic Stone House building. The work consists of reconstructing the original historic deck and constructing new exterior stairs to the second floor. The goal of the project is to sensitively restore and update the structural Architecture of the building, and to prepare for docent-led tours of the historic buildings. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and all work must comply with the Secretary of Interior’s standards for the treatment of historic properties and guidelines for preserving, rehabilitating, restoring and reconstructing historic buildings.
When:
Anticipated Construction Duration:
January 2023 to Winter 2023 Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Modjeska Canyon, Calif.) – Restoration will begin this month on the oldest building on the grounds of OC Parks’ National Historic Landmark Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens in Modjeska Canyon.
Congress, through the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service, selected the project to receive a “Save America’s Treasures” grant. The grant will provide $150,000 to help fund repairs to the stone building that original resident Joseph Pleasants built in the 1870s while running a successful beekeeping business in the canyon. The cottage was also used by later resident Helena Modjeska, a famous Shakespearean actress of the time.
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.
"The historic cottage and gardens are worth preserving, as they display Modjeska Canyon's tranquil canyon life, with a nod towards Shakespeare's heavily-wooded 'Forest of Arden,'" said Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors. "We are glad the funds will help save a remnant of Orange County's rural history, offering visitors a tranquil place to learn, explore and relax."
Pleasants introduced Modjeska and her husband, Count Karol Bozenta, to Orange County’s rustic canyons, and the couple purchased the property from him in 1888. Renowned New York architect Stanford White later designed a substantial addition to the Pleasants’ modest cabin. The stone cottage being restored was used by Modjeska for cold storage, with a small living space for workers on the second floor.
Theodore Payne, a pioneer of California native plant propagation also lived in the cottage in the 1890s while serving as Modjeska’s gardener.
The grant-funded work will include restoration of the second floor of the stone building interior and exterior with careful attention to preserving the existing, character-defining features. OC Parks repaired and restored the first-floor stone cellar in 2007. Restoration of the second floor will complete the Pleasants stone cottage project, making the upper portion of the structure available to the public for the first time in its 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). Because the site is listed as a National Historic Landmark, which are designated for their “exceptional significance in American history,” the grant-funded preservation must follow the strictest guidelines in the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Park patrons are welcome to enjoy the self-guided grounds Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Docent-led tours of the historic house and gardens are currently offered 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, by advance reservation.
Portions of the grounds may be closed to visitors during the restoration project. Construction is expected to begin in January 2023 and continue through fall 2023.
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.) – Celebrate the holidays at OC Parks’ Heritage Hill Historical Park this December with Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights.
The 36th annual Candlelight Walk will take place over three festive evenings, December 9-11 from 5 to 9 p.m. Take a stroll through the merry grounds, enjoying historical buildings adorned with décor from the past. Join the jubilation and enjoy live musical performances, holiday crafts for kids and a visit with Santa Claus! Refreshments will be available for cash purchase.
The merriment continues December 16-18 from 5 to 9 p.m. with OC Parks’ Holiday Lights. Gather friends and family to wander through twinkling lights, and don’t forget your camera for various holiday-themed photo opportunities. Pets are welcome outdoors on leashes no longer than six feet. Please note that additional entertainment and refreshments will not be provided.
“We are excited to see friends, families, and neighbors come together for this year’s Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights at Historic Heritage Hill,” said Vice Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “It is a wonderful way to celebrate Orange County’s vibrant history and create new and joyful memories this holiday season.”
Both holiday events are free to attend with free parking. Inclement weather may cancel the events.
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
The clocks fall back early Nov. 6, marking the end of daylight saving time and the beginning of OC Parks’ fall-winter operating schedule. Most regional parks close at 6 p.m. for the fall and winter, and wilderness parks close at sunset year-round.
Fall-winter hours for the following regional parks are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.:
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Clark Regional Park
Craig Regional Park
Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Mason Regional Park
Mile Square Regional Park
Tri-City Regional Park
Yorba Regional Park
Irvine Regional Park (opens at 6 a.m.)
Wilderness parks and the following regional parks are open at 7 a.m. and close at sunset year-round:
O’Neill Regional Park
Peters Canyon Regional Park
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Caspers Wilderness Park
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (parking lots open at 8 a.m.)
Riley Wilderness Park
Talbert Regional Park
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Wieder Regional Park
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Irvine Lake will continue to operate Friday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hours for OC Parks’ beaches vary but are generally between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Salt Creek Beach opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 12 a.m. Thousand Steps Beach opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.
OC Parks facilities will remain on these operating hours until daylight saving time and spring-summer hours return March 12, 2023, running through Nov. 5, 2023.
OC Parks in collaboration with OC Public Works will complete a slurry seal for Phase 1B - Maintenance Road. Work will commence Oct. 17 and is scheduled for completion Oct. 27. During this time, the maintenance road will be closed to public access Oct. 17 through Oct 20.
What:
The maintenance road will be receiving a slurry seal coat.
When:
Anticipated Construction Duration:
Oct. 17 – Oct. 27
(Maintenance Road closure Oct. 17 –Oct. 20)
Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The construction schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other factors.
Where:
The maintenance service road on the west end of the park.
Come and visit The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay where the 2022 California Coastal Commission Art & Poetry Contest winning work is being displayed. You will enjoy original art and poetry by grade school students. We are sure you will be amazed by their work. Art and Poetry will be displayed until October 31, 2022.
The Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center is open Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Mondays and major holidays.
(Lake Forest, Calif.) – Celebrate the fall season with OC Parks at the second annual Fall-O-Ween at Heritage Hill Historical Park Oct. 14-16 and 21-23. Tour the decorated historical grounds during special park hours and take your picture at a variety of fall and Halloween-themed photo opportunities. Try to find your way through the straw maze and complete a scavenger hunt for ghoulish goodies at this free, family-friendly event.
“We’re so excited to welcome the community back to celebrate the fall season at Heritage Hill Historical Park,” said Vice Chairman Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Fall-O-Ween offers free fun for the whole family, complete with festive activities in a charming historic setting that’s decorated for the occasion. I look forward to seeing everyone out there.” Costumes are encouraged and pets are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Be sure to grab your cameras to snap your festive photos with OC Parks this October!
Fall-O-Ween
Date: October 14-16 & 21-23
Time: 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park
Address: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
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. – Join OC Parks on Saturday, Oct. 1, to celebrate Irvine Regional Park’s 125th anniversary. This free, family-friendly event will showcase the park’s historical significance while highlighting its continued importance in the community.
The Irvine family gifted the land that is now Irvine Regional Park to the County in 1897, creating California’s first regional park. The park’s 125th anniversary celebration will highlight moments of times past through several historical activities and demonstrations. Enjoy Shakespeare and dance performances as well as zoo demos, naturalist chats and more. Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy free concerts on the Acorn Stage starting at 2:30 p.m. with performances by Flashback Heart Attack and Analog Jukebox.
The 125th anniversary celebration will take place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The event will offer a self-guided historical tour, interactive booths and demonstrations such as Adobe brick-making, basket-weaving, candle-making, blacksmith demos, commemorative giveaways and much more. A variety of food options will be available for purchase.
Parking is $5 per vehicle at Irvine Regional Park. Offsite parking is also available for $5 at Santiago Canyon College Lots 1 and 2 with free shuttle service to and from the event. Please enter the college off of Newport Boulevard.
Irvine Regional Park has something for everyone with fishing, picnic areas, the OC Zoo and the Irvine Park Railroad.
October 1 - Irvine Regional’s 125th Anniversary Celebration
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA 92869
Cost and Parking: Free Event, Parking is $5 per vehicle at Irvine Regional Park. Offsite parking will also be available for $5 at Santiago Canyon College, 8045 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92869.
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
*This project has been completed as of 9/29/2023. All areas are open to the public.*
OC Parks in collaboration with OC Public Works will complete repairs of three Santa Ana River Trail bridges. Work consists of removal and replacement of bridge decks and handrailing.
Bridge #1 in the City of Anaheim is closest to Imperial Highway bridge crossing over the Santa Ana River.
Bridge #2 in the City of Santa Ana is closest to 17th Street bridge crossing over the Santa Ana River.
Bridge #3 in the City of Costa Mesa is closest to Adams Avenue bridge crossing over the Santa Ana River.
Bridge #1 repair work requires full bridge closure and detour will be set up. Remaining accessible, Bridges #2 & #3 railing replacement only require partial closure. Area motorists and other road users may experience delays when traveling through the project area during working hours. Traffic control measures, such as construction and detour signage and flag personnel will be present.
When:
Anticipated Construction Duration:
Bridge #3 (4th Rail) May 30, 2023 – June 20, 2023
Bridge #2 (4th Rail) June 21, 2023 – July 05, 2023
Bridge #1 August 14, 2023 – October 20, 2023
Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where:
Bridge #1 - City of Anaheim closest to Imperial Hwy bridge crossing over the Santa Ana River
Bridge #2 - City of Santa Ana closest to 17th Street bridge crossing over the Santa Ana River
Bridge #3 - City of Costa Mesa closest to Adams Avenue bridge crossing over the Santa Ana River
