FOCUS : Pacing Growth

L.A. Times Archives

Feb. 25, 1988 12 AM PT

Yorba Linda is the birthplace of Richard M. Nixon, the 37th president of the United States. His family home, located at the corner of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Main Street, is a favorite tourist attraction for passers-by. It is not, however, open to the public.

Named in 1908 by the Janss Investment Company, Yorba Linda still holds firm to a bit of its rural nature. One of the community’s unique parks, expected to open within a few months, is the Jessamyn West Park. Author of the novel “Friendly Persuasion,” West was a distant cousin of Nixon. Winding throughout Yorba Linda is the El Cajon Trail, a multipurpose trail that accommodates equestrians, bicyclists and hikers. The five-acre Buena Vista Park offers two riding arenas for horse enthusiasts.

Children are allowed to let their imagination run wild at the Adventure Playground every summer for eight weeks. The playground’s old existing tall trees invite youngsters to build tree houses, create mud slides and construct obstacle courses--and whatever else they dream up, under supervision and training. The city, determined to pace its growth, showed its resolve when it vetoed the establishment of an auto center last year. The proposed center would have increased the city’s annual revenue by $2 million. Government

City Council: Rolan Bigonger (mayor), Henry Wedaa (mayor pro tem), Todd Murphy, Gene Wisner, Irwin Fried

City Manager: Arthur Simonian

Fire Chief: county

Chief of Police: contracts with Brea

Statistics

Population (1986 est.): 37,795

Area: 18 square miles

Incorporation: Nov. 2, 1967

Median household income: $45,487

Median home value: $126,625

Racial/ethnic mix: white, 94.1%; Latino, 11.3%; black, 0.4%; other, 5.5%

(Total is more than 100% because racial/ethnic breakdowns overlap)