Countywide : Supervisors Allocate $285,000 for Parks

The County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved spending nearly $300,000 in matching funds for park improvements in four cities.

The funds are part of the county’s $2-million Urban Parks Program. Under the program, money is allocated annually for park improvements. Each supervisor can nominate park projects, with the entire board having final approval.

Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez said the six projects he recommended for funding are in cities in his 3rd District. He said the improvements will keep Orange County a desirable place for residents.

Yorba Linda will receive the bulk of the funds--$100,000--to build a road allowing public access to seven acres near the intersection of Yorba Linda Boulevard and Yorba Ranch Road.

“We’ve got seven acres there that we’d like to develop into a full park, but we can’t get people in it because it’s landlocked,” said Steve Rudometkin, parks and recreation director.

With matching funds from the city, Rudometkin said, the park should be completed by the end of next year.

Fullerton will use its $90,000 grant to improve three recreation buildings at Independence Park and finish the outdoor theater at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center. About $65,000 will be spent to install new roofs for the indoor court building, locker rooms and gym at Independence Park, according to Greg Meek, community service development coordinator.

La Habra will receive more than $35,000 for landscape and picnic improvements at Guadalupe and San Miguel de Allende parks.

Orange will receive $60,000 to light the soccer and football fields at Handy Park.