A Whole New World Opens Up Saturday

On Saturday, the public will get its first glimpse of the county’s newest regional park, a 475-acre slice of open space with rolling hills, oak-lined canyons and open sky.

The opening of any new parkland is reason for celebration, and this is no exception; there will be a ribbon-cutting, live bluegrass music, food booths, wildlife displays and guided trail tours.

Named for the departing county supervisor, Gen. Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park was dedicated to the county in 1983 by Coto de Caza Ltd., developers of the Coto de Caza planned community. The park is at the eastern end of Oso Parkway.

“The views from the park are fantastic,” said Tim Miller, operations manager for the regional park system.

It’s open country everywhere, with Saddleback Mountain the main sight to the north and sections of Cleveland National Forest visible to the east.

Among the park’s abundant flora is the second-largest oak in the county park system, Miller said. The landscape was altered by years of cattle-grazing but still harbors a variety of wildlife: woodpeckers, raccoons, gray foxes, mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, hawks and owls.

Amenities at the park, which was originally going to be called Wagon Wheel Canyon Regional Park, are minimal and will remain that way, with picnic tables and portable toilets the extent of the improvements.

Saturday’s opening starts with a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. The fun starts in earnest around 11 and continues to 3 p.m. For those who want to explore, there will be continuous guided tours of the six miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

A bluegrass band will play; food booths will offer hamburgers and other items (with proceeds benefiting local nonprofit groups), and there will be wildlife and environmental displays and prize giveaways.

For the children, there will be a hayride, pony and llama rides and a petting zoo.

“It’s a celebration of the ribbon-cutting, but at the same time it’s a fun time for everybody,” said Tom Martin, vice president of marketing for Coto de Caza Ltd.

Meanwhile, the Rancho Santa Margarita Co. will donate 2,000 acres to be added to O’Neill Regional Park (just east of Mission Viejo) in late January or early February, by the latest reckoning. The gift encompasses the Arroyo Trabuco addition along with Harris Creek and other areas. Together, the new parkland adds 12 miles of multiuse trails. Watch for details.

* What: Park opening.

* When: Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Where: Gen. Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park.

* Whereabouts: From the San Diego (5) Freeway, take Oso Parkway east until it ends.

* Wherewithal: FREE. (There is a charge for food).

* Where to call: (714) 728-0235.