One Step Towards Orange County's Great Park

The Orange Country Great Park has received the official go-ahead, with a dedication of $65 million for the first phase of construction.

1 minute read

November 29, 2009, 11:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


Though the full park will eventually become a 1,347-acre public space, the first phase of construction will take up just 200 acres, and is expected to complete in 2011.

"'While $65 million is a lot of money, it's a small piece of the billion or billion-and-a-half dollar project,' said Ken Smith, the landscape architect who leads the Great Park Design Studio. 'So the issue we've been struggling with is, do you build a smaller area to full detail and amenity, or do you try to stretch the money out over a large area with less detail?'

In the end, designers opted for a compromise targeting 200 acres, fewer than initially planned, but with more robust amenities. Set for completion by 2011, the new construction capitalizes on the success of the 27.5-acre 'preview park,' opened in 2008 and known for its popular observation balloon. Among the new elements are a series of sports fields along a nine-acre 'walkable timeline'-a corridor featuring shade structures, seating, and a system of historical markers-as well as a palm-tree grove flanking a renovated hangar that can be used for exhibitions and special events."

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 in The Architect's Newspaper

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Google street view of yellow "End Freeway 1/4 mile" sign on 90 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing

A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

September 26, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads

If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog California

Late evening view of downtown Minneapolis skyline with stone bridge in foreground

Minneapolis Affordable Housing Project Largest in 20 Years

The city opened its first large multifamily affordable housing complex in decades, but a recent court ruling against the Minneapolis 2040 rezoning plan could jeopardize future projects.

3 hours ago - Minnesota Public Radio

Close-up of vertical PARK sign on multistory urban parking garage.

NYC Mayor Proposes Eliminating Parking Minimums

Mayor Adams wants to stop requiring off-site parking for new buildings to reduce the costs of construction as part of the ‘City of Yes’ package of zoning reforms.

4 hours ago - StreetsBlog NYC

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.