Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is adding a pollinator garden with native plants near the Nix Nature Center.
The newly planted garden replaces invasive plants that had settled in the area. A group of student volunteers from Stanbridge University worked with park staff for more than a year to protect and nurture the developing garden.
“Park staff is dedicated to protecting these last invaluable remnants of increasingly rare plants and animals,” OC Parks Resource Specialist Laura Cohen said. “We can’t do it alone, and we are grateful to the staff and students of Stanbridge University for their help creating a garden – a native plant garden that serves our pollinators - and all of the plants and animals that depend on them.”
The area around the Nix Nature Center was once used for cattle-grazing, and invasive plant species had overtaken many natives that help support healthy habitat and wildlife. Park staff has worked hard to restore native gardens at the Nix Nature Center since it opened 15 years ago, removing non-native plants, like mustard, that keep native plants from thriving.
Wild tarragon plants started overtaking the area and invading other parts of the park, crowding out other plants. Plant diversity is essential for supporting native animals in the park’s natural coastal foothills, some of the last remaining in California.
The pollinator garden will serve more wildlife and create a more attractive landscape by the nature center. This involved planting and temporarily caring for local flowering plants used by our native pollinators – and enjoyed by park visitors.
Native plants typically take three to five years fully grow and become established. With the help of the 159 students weeding and watering every week, the new plants will have a much better and quicker chance of survival.
Come and observe the gardening progress the next time you visit the Nix Nature Center at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. You can find it in the center of the parking area.
This project is located at the northwest end of the lake at Ted Craig Regional Park. The current corrugated metal pipe (CMP) culverts have deteriorated beyond repair and the sidewalk is now undermined and, in some areas, has detached from the structure. This project is to demo the sidewalk over the culverts, demo what is left of the CMP, remove riprap and replace with precast or cast-in-place concrete box with two new 18-inch diameter corrugated metal pipes over a marine mattress, riprap reinforcement, and replacement of concrete sidewalk.
When:
Anticipated Construction Duration:
July 2022 through September 2022 Working Days/Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact Information:
OCPW Supervising Construction Inspector Mario Garcia: (714) 599-0681
OCPW Senior Construction InspectorPaul Weaver: (714) 719-1742
OC Parks, in collaboration with OC Public Works, will enhance the park visitor experience by improving the entryway, providing an accessible path of travel into the park and fixing drainage issues. Work consists of: removing existing deteriorated asphalt pavement and replacing with a combination of regular and permeable asphalt to alleviate drainage issues while improving the quality of stormwater runoff; removing and replacing the damaged curb and gutter and adding of ADA-compliant curb ramps; removing and replacing landscape and irrigation within the roundabout and medians to include drought-tolerant and low-water-consumption plants; adding lighting to the roundabout; adding a raised crosswalk and wayfinding signs; striping pavement to enhance the bike trail crossing and assist vehicular traffic more efficiently and safely navigate the entrance. The park entrance will remain open at all times during construction; however, partial lane closures, sidewalk and exit detours will be required. Traffic control measures, such as construction signage and detour signs will be present.
What:
Work consists of entry driveway and roadway enhancements and providing an ADA-compliant path of travel into the park and fixing drainage issues.
It's official! After more than 1,200 votes in the online poll, the new sister mountain lion cubs at the OC Zoo have officially been named! Watch the video below for the reveal!
The two orphaned sister mountain lion cubs made their debut with the opening of the OC Zoo’s new large mammal exhibit.
The two cubs, now approximately seven months old, were found as very young kittens, apparently abandoned or orphaned near a Thousand Oaks, Calif. office park in November of 2021. The zoo treated the female cubs’ malnutrition and nursed them back to health.
Mountain lions typically stay with their mothers and learn to hunt for approximately one to two years. Due to their extremely young ages, the cubs would likely not survive in the wild and will remain at the OC Zoo.
More than 1,500 name suggestions were submitted in person at the zoo during the first two weekends the new exhibit was open. Animal keepers helped narrow the list down to their five favorite name combinations.
Thank you to everyone who voted and participated in the naming contest. Now watch to reveal the winning names!
The OC Zoo is inside Irvine Regional Park. It is open 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends.
Placentia, Calif. – Chairman Doug Chaffee from the Orange County Board of Supervisors cut the ribbon on a brand-new, ADA-accessible fishing platform at Tri-City Regional Park in Placentia on May 31.
“This new platform will open additional opportunities for more people to enjoy the wonderful sport of fishing,” Chairman Chaffee said. “I am excited to open this new feature and thank OC Parks for providing these amenities to our community.”
The new, large platform is made from recycled plastic decking material for its durability and low cost of maintenance. The project also added shoreline reinforcement and an accessible pathway from the platform to nearby restrooms.
The lake is stocked seasonally with trout and catfish. A California Fishing License is required for all anglers ages 16 and up. The closest access and accessible parking are available from the Rolling Hills Drive entrance.
OC Parks stocks nine fishing lakes throughout the County. For more information, including stocking schedules, please visit our website at https://www.ocparks.com/.
Two orphaned sister mountain lion cubs made their debut this month with the opening of the OC Zoo’s new large mammal exhibit.
Now, you have the chance to help pick their names!
*Voting has concluded. Check back soon for the name announcement!*
More than 1,500 name suggestions were submitted in person at the zoo during the first two weekends the new exhibit was open. Animal keepers helped narrow the list down to their five favorite name combinations. The winning name pair will be announced after voting concludes. Follow us on Facebook @orangecountyparks and Instagram @OCParks for updates.
The two cubs, now approximately seven months old, were found as very young kittens, apparently abandoned or orphaned near a Thousand Oaks, Calif. office park in November of 2021. The zoo treated the female cubs’ malnutrition and nursed them back to health.
Mountain lions typically stay with their mothers and learn to hunt for approximately one to two years. Due to their extremely young ages, the cubs would likely not survive in the wild and will remain at the OC Zoo.
The new large mammal exhibit at the OC Zoo in Irvine Regional Park opened May 13. The 2-acre habitat represents the largest expansion project in the zoo’s history. In addition to the sister cubs, it houses an adult mountain lion, a male orphaned mountain lion cub and an adult jaguar.
(Orange, Calif.) – A new large mammal exhibit at the OC Zoo in Irvine Regional Park will open to the public May 13 and will mark the debut of four new animals.
The new, 2-acre habitat represents the largest expansion project in the zoo’s history. It will house an adult mountain lion, three orphaned mountain lion cubs and an adult jaguar.
“The OC Zoo has enriched our community for many years,” said Donald P. Wagner, Orange County Supervisor of the Third District. “At only $2 admission per person, visitors can view outdoor habitats and learn about local wildlife from past to present. The current expansion features new rescue animals, something people of all ages can enjoy —I look forward to visiting the exhibit with my family this spring."
The expansion, part of the Zoo’s 2013 General Development Plan, is designed to give patrons an up-close look at the animals living inside, while creating a comfortable and natural-looking environment for the large cats. The area includes artificial rock walls, climbing platforms, a waterfall and a bridge for the cats to cross overhead.
Animals that will call the new habitat home include an adult mountain lion that came to the zoo as a young orphan in 2011. Three new mountain lion cubs are also in the flexible space, which can be configured into four separate or connected areas.
The zoo treated the male cub’s serious injuries and the female cubs’ malnutrition. Mountain lions typically stay with their mothers and learn to hunt for approximately one to two years. Due to their extremely young ages, the three cubs would likely not survive in the wild and will remain at the OC Zoo.
A new black jaguar, approximately two years old, is also making its debut in the habitat. Considered endangered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, jaguars’ range includes the southwest of Arizona and New Mexico, south to Argentina and northeastern Brazil. The jaguar comes to the OC Zoo from the World Wildlife Zoo in Arizona.
The OC Zoo will celebrate the new habitat and welcome its new residents on May 13 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and May 14 from 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Throughout the opening weekend, special entertainment, activities and animal ambassadors will be available at the zoo. The zoo will also be taking name suggestions in person for the sibling pair of female mountain lion cubs who arrived to the OC Zoo without names. Animal keepers will narrow the suggestions and the public can vote on their favorites in the weeks to come. Details will be posted on OCParks.com and OC Parks social media channels.
The OC Zoo traces its roots back to 1905 when red foxes were introduced in Irvine Regional Park, and a small collection of animals was added in 1920. The current, modern zoo officially opened in 1985. In late 2019, the zoo debuted a new entry plaza and restroom building, the first improvement outlined in the General Development Plan.
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. – The County of Orange and OC Parks invite you to experience the annual Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park on Saturday, May 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Travel back in time to explore Orange County’s rancho era, and enjoy hands-on activities, music, dancing and more in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Rancho Days Fiesta will feature a wide variety of activities, exhibitors and vibrant performances and demonstrations for the whole family including piñata breaking and crafts. The celebration will also feature Charro horse riding and roping demonstrations, along with Native American and Folklórico dancing. Historic buildings will be open and available for tours, courtesy of the Amigos de la Colina docents.
Heritage Hill Historical Park preserves some of Orange County’s rich cultural heritage and represents distinct eras in the early development of Saddleback Valley and the town of El Toro. Experience the rancho era with OC Parks during Rancho Days Fiesta. Pets are welcome outdoors only on leashes no longer than six feet. Admission and parking are free.
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
Celebrate summertime outdoors with 10 free concerts + 12 free movie screenings at OC Parks June 17 – September 2.
(Orange County, Calif.) – The County of Orange and OC Parks are pleased to present the annual OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema film series. Enjoy summer nights at regional parks with free live music and movie screenings in a family-friendly atmosphere. All events will include free parking with food and drink available for purchase.
OC Parks Summer Concert Series returns with 10 free outdoor concerts on Thursday evenings, June 23 – August 25 from 5 – 8 p.m. Enjoy live music under the summer sky at Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
The concert series kicks off with Ozomatli on June 23 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, followed by popular local and renowned touring artists including Donavon Frankenreiter, Yachty by Nature, DSB, The Aquabats, Uptown Funk, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Sweet and Tender Hooligans, and Tijuana Dogs.
Featured in Rolling Stone as one of “10 New Artists You Need to Know,” The New Respects will close out the 2022 OC Parks Summer Concert Series with a performance at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach.
OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series brings the big screen to your favorite regional parks. Twelve free movie screenings will take place Friday nights from June 17 – September 2 around sunset at Craig Regional Park, Carbon Canyon Regional Park, Yorba Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park, and Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach. Guests of all ages can enjoy recent favorites and popular classics with pre-show entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. and show times at approximately 8 p.m. after sundown.
Friday night films kick off on June 17 and include Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), The Princess Bride (1987), Encanto (2021), The Mummy (1999), Onward (2020), Mean Girls (2004), Jungle Cruise (2021), The School of Rock (2003), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), Back to the Future (1985), Luca (2021) and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).
“The County of Orange and OC Parks are excited to bring another year of exceptional entertainment to the community,” said Doug Chaffee, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “Enjoying a free concert or movie with friends and family is a great opportunity for visitors of all ages to experience our parks across the county.”
OC Parks Summer Concert Series and OC Parks Sunset Cinema film series are open to the public of all ages and free to attend with free parking. Food trucks will be serving at each location and a beer and wine garden will be available to those 21 and over. Gather friends and family and enjoy free concerts and movie screenings this summer with OC Parks.
Thursday nights, 5 p.m. (Event starts at 5 p.m., live music begins at 6 p.m.)
Date: June 23
Concert: Ozomatli @ Craig Regional Park
Date: June 30
Concert: Donavon Frankenreiter @ Craig Regional Park
Date: July 7
Concert: Yachty by Nature @ Mason Regional Park
Date: July 14
Concert: DSB @ Mason Regional Park
Date: July 21
Concert: The Aquabats! @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: July 28
Concert: Uptown Funk @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: August 4
Concert: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Mile Square Regional Park
Date: August 11
Concert: Sweet and Tender Hooligans @ Mile Square Regional Park
Date: August 18
Concert: Tijuana Dogs @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Date: August 25
Concert: The New Respects @ 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)
Date: June 17
Movie: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) @ Craig Regional Park
Date: June 24
Movie: The Princess Bride (1987) @ Craig Regional Park
Date: July 1
Movie: Encanto (2021) @ Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Date: July 8
Movie: The Mummy (1999) @ Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Date: July 15
Movie: Onward (2020) @ Yorba Regional Park
Date: July 22
Movie: Mean Girls (2004) @ Yorba Regional Park
Date: July 29
Movie: Jungle Cruise (2021) @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: August 5
Movie: The School of Rock (2003) @ Irvine Regional Park
Date: August 12
Movie: Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) @ Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Date: August 19
Movie: Back to the Future (1985) @ Laguna Niguel Regional Park
Date: August 26
Movie: Luca (2021) @ Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach
Date: September 2
Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) @ 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
