Massive New Park Coming to the Inland Empire

Ontario could soon gain a 370-acre new city park, reports Steve Scauzillo. Known as The Great Park, the proposed project will convert a 3.5-mile ribbon of former farmland to a greenbelt housing open space, trails, and cultural and recreational amenities. The proposal was spurred in part by the development of Ontario Ranch, an adjacent community that will eventually be home to 47,000 residential units, plus office, commercial, and industrial space.

The park will be anchored by a central arroyo that will channel stormwater and help with capturing groundwater surrounded by a network of trails, playgrounds, and an amphitheater. "In later phases, development would include athletic fields, places for historical and cultural exhibits, museums, community facilities and areas for social gatherings, such as a farmers markets and pop-up dining spaces."

With the plan approved, writes Scauzillo, the city will choose a contractor later this year to build the first 135-acre phase of the park.