COUNTYWIDE : County Takes Over Irvine Co. Land Gift
The county on Tuesday formally took control of 335 acres of canyon land in the North Tustin-Orange Hills area that it plans to use as a regional park for hiking, biking, horseback riding and other activities.
The land is a gift from the Irvine Co., and government and company officials said the deeding of the property to the county was independent of any other projects in which the giant developer is involved.
“There were no strings,” said Larry Thomas, an Irvine Co. spokesman.
The gift made sense because the land had long been “coveted” by the county and it fit into the Irvine Co.’s goal of mixing developments with open space, Thomas said.
“We don’t plan to develop every square foot of the land we own,” he said. “This (park) is a legacy for the company and the county.”
The county’s acquisition of the land has been discussed for more than five years. As it formally came to fruition Tuesday by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Thomas F. Riley commented that “this will add yet another dimension to our quality of life for generations to come.”
It is not yet known when the park--to be known as Peters Canyon Regional Park--will open to the public. “I do know the park staff is anxious to get started,” Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez said.
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