Bren, Irvine Co. to Spend Millions on Open Spaces

Orange County’s major developer announced Wednesday the availability of $20 million to preserve, restore and enhance access to more than 30,000 acres of land already donated or earmarked for donation as open public space.

Under the plan by the Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation--a separate nonprofit foundation formed by the company’s chairman--half the money will be dedicated to 14,000 acres the company has already conveyed to various public agencies, mostly in connection with existing developments. The other half will be used to enhance about 19,600 acres earmarked for donation in the future.

“Over the years our company has conveyed thousands of acres of land to the public for open space,” spokesman Rich Elbaum said, “but what is also important is assuring that the public has access to it so that they can enjoy it forever.”

Among the projects eligible for funding, he said, are the restoration of existing trails and the creation of trail heads. The money also could be used for such enhancements as drinking fountains and benches, he said. A portion of the funds probably will be used for various yet-unspecified scientific projects aimed at enhancing and preserving the environment.

Bren said in a press release, “As important as the Irvine Company’s previous and future dedications of land for permanent open space are, our commitment to open space extends beyond the dedication of land.”

Beginning with the donation of land for Irvine Regional Park in 1987, Elbaum said, the Irvine Co. has designated 33,600 acres--more than 36% of the original Irvine Ranch--as permanent open space, mostly in exchange for permission to build major housing developments.

Among the lands already conveyed, he said, are Peters Canyon Regional Park, Quail Hill, Irvine Coast Wilderness Park, Mason Regional Park and portions of Limestone Canyon, which the company donated as part of the Northpark and Northwood community developments in Irvine.

Included in the areas earmarked for future conveyance, Elbaum said, are Bommer Canyon in Irvine, as well as Gypsum and Wier canyons in northern Orange County.

Under the plan announced Wednesday, the Bren Foundation will dispense funds for enhancing the lands already owned by public entities. Among those eligible to seek grants are public agency landowners, public environmental agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations devoted to land conservation or public use and recreation, Elbaum said.

The Irvine Co. will oversee projects on the land to which it still holds title, he said. “The close proximity of these lands to where people live provides a tremendous opportunity for the public to enjoy them.”

While both the Irvine Co. and the Bren Foundation have long supported public open space, Elbaum said, “this is by far their largest and broadest support in terms of enhancing public access and protecting the environment.”