Orange / Tustin : Initial Approval Given on Boundaries for Park

Two cities, the county and the Irvine Co. have reached a tentative agreement on the boundaries of a long-sought regional park in rugged Peters Canyon in east-central Orange County, it was announced Monday.

Supervisors Bruce Nestande and Thomas F. Riley, whose districts will share the proposed 360-acre park, said the Irvine Co. has agreed to give the land to the county, which will own, develop and operate the site as part of its regional park system.

The cities of Orange and Tustin are also helping draft the agreement, the supervisors said. The northern part of the park lies within Orange’s “sphere of influence,” and the southern part extends into the Tustin city limits.

County supervisors discussed development of the rugged, scenic territory eight years ago, but quarrels among cities and homeowners’ groups, coupled with a lack of county funds, barred county acquisition of the property.

The park will include walking paths and hiking trails and may also contain equestrian trails and fishing and boating on the 40-acre, man-made Upper Peters Canyon Reservoir, the supervisors said.

A prepared statement issued by the supervisors did not say how much it would cost to develop and operate the park. Final plans must still be approved by the cities and the full five-member Board of Supervisors.