COUNTYWIDE : Laguna Wilderness Park to Be Dedicated

County officials expect about 600 people to take part in opening day ceremonies next month for the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, 3,200 acres of open space at the edge of Laguna Beach that will be expanded in coming years and possibly become the largest park in Orange County.

The April 10 event will feature guided hikes and nature walks, music, refreshments and an exhibit of birds of prey.

“We are expecting a large crowd and it will be open to the public,” said Cristi Silverberg of the county harbors, beaches and parks staff. “I’m expecting somewhere around 600.”

Once the park is officially open, it will reopen one day each weekend to allow prearranged guided tours of the area for hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. The public is prohibited from venturing onto the land unsupervised, at least until natural resources in the area are documented and a long-term plan is prepared.

“The land is so delicate, they need to make sure it’s protected,” Silverberg said. “That’s why they need to have docent-led tours, so people won’t go in there and abuse the land. Most people wouldn’t, but occasionally that does happen.”

The park--the third largest in the county after Caspers Wilderness Park in San Juan Capistrano, and Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park in Aliso Viejo--will expand over the years as additional slices of open space are added. Eventually, it will grow to at least 7,000 acres, said Tim Miller, the county’s manager of regional parks.

Miller said the wilderness park has its own special charm, including lush vegetation and impressive rock outcroppings.

The significance of the parkland is amplified by the fact that it will eventually connect with Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park and Crystal Cove State Park, creating more than 10,000 acres of contiguous open space, he said.

The opening celebration will be held at Little Sycamore Canyon, on the west side of Laguna Canyon Road, just north of El Toro Road. Parking will be provided in a lot south of the parkland, with visitors being shuttled to the area from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Official opening ceremonies will be at 11 a.m.

Those who plan to attend are asked to call (714) 834-4338 before April 7.