Great Park News Archive

OC Great Park Summer Night Concerts and Dances
Free Admission, Parking $8
During the months of August and September 2009, Great Park guests will be captivated by the music and performances of Flights & Sounds of Summer presented by the Great Park and the Irvine Barclay Theatre. On Friday nights, live bands will perform in front of Hangar 244 and dance instructors will demonstrate a few simple steps to get the crowds dancing!

On Saturday nights, the Great Park will be transformed into an arts and culture destination. Performing artists, from an eclectic mix of styles and cultures will entertain guests in the unique setting of the Preview Park.

To complete the evenings, Hangar #244 will be transformed into a café during Flights & Sounds of Summer performances. A fresh, casual gourmet selection of food will be available for purchase to dine-in or to enjoy on the picnic lawn.

Performance Schedule
Friday Night Dance Parties

August 7

NACHITO HERRERA
August 14

DEREK BORDEAUX GROUP
August 21

PETE JACOBS and his WARTIME RADIO REVUE
August 28

CEDRIC WATSON
September 4
STEVE LUCKY and the RHUMBA BUMS
September 11

JOHNNY POLANCO y su CONJUNTO AMISTAD
September 18

MERCHANTS OF MOONSHINE
September 25

BOLLYWOOD STEP

Performance Schedule
Saturday Night Concerts

August 1

EILEEN IVERS and IMMIGRANT SOUL
August 8

DON VAPPIE and the CREOLE JAZZ SERENADERS August 15
TOTO LA MOMPOSINA
August 22
THE VOICE OF ALEGRIA
September 5

17 HIPPIES
September 12

NIYAZ
September 19

HAPA

Posted July 17, 2009


Conservancy Announces 4th Annual Jewel of Orange County
On Friday, July 17, 2009 the Great Park Conservancy will host its annual fundraising event, the “Jewel of Orange County.” Chaired by Conservancy Director Teddie Ray, this exclusive event will take place at the Great Park Balloon Park beginning with a hosted reception with cocktails and delicious wines and hors d’ oeuvres held inside an original base hangar, followed by a locally produced, organically grown mesquite grilled dinner. After dinner concert and dancing under the stars to a cool jazz blend of rhythm & blues by local artist Jazzy Boy Jeff.

Preparations for the “Jewel of Orange County” have been underway for months and have included many of Orange County’s business and social elite. Committee Chairs for this year’s event include: Donald Akin, Joni Brice, Peggy Goldwater Clay, Ellen Hanson-Walker, Sheila Peterson, Janet Ray, Kathy Taylor, Rosemary Ward, Tricia Wilhelm and Lizanne Witte. Nearly fifty other Committee Members make up the dedicated team of individuals who are working diligently to support the event. Additional support is being provided by the Conservancy’s Board of Directors and Directors and staff of the OC Great Park Corporation, and Great Park Neighborhoods.

Major event sponsors include: Sheila & Jim Peterson, Teddie & Michael Ray, the David L. Horowitz Family, Janet & Walkie Ray, and the Orange County Business Bank. Additional sponsors include: Marian Bergeson, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, Joan Halvajian, and The Irvine Company. Other event donors include: HEILBrice, Inc., Valley Crest, Blue Ice Vodka, Coast Magazine, Signature Party Rentals. A special Cartier Love Bracelet donated by Cartier South Coast Plaza is our Grand Prize Opportunity Drawing.

To learn more about the 4th Annual Jewel of Orange County click here.

Posted June 29, 2009


Take the Survey and Be a Park of the Great Park Planning Process

The Conservancy has continued its work to ensure that the Botanical Garden is a priority of the Great Park. As we began to explore development of the Botanical Garden, we realized the need for a smaller garden that would preview what is being planned within the larger Botanical Garden. This preview garden — called the Conservancy Garden — will be a model Southern California garden within the Great Park.

Through the strong financial support of our Founding Garden Donors, we have begun a feasibility study for the Garden's development and are partnering with the Discovery Science Center to move the project from concept to reality. The garden is planned to be a place where students of all ages can learn about science and nature in fun and entertaining ways. Sustainable and organic garden practices, stewardship of our natural resources, environmental awareness, and home gardening will all be themes within the Conservancy Garden. It promises to be world-class in design, feature beautiful horticulture, be changeable and renewable, and tell the story of the future Botanical Garden.

As part of our feasibility study for the Conservancy Garden, we are conducting a survey that will help us in planning the best possible garden for the Orange County community. We thank you for taking the time to be a part of the Great Park planning process.

Click here to take the survey.

Posted May 6, 2009


Conservancy Announces Plans for 3rd Annual Garden Luncheon
The Conservancy is scheduling its third annual Garden Luncheon to support the Conservancy Garden at the Great Park. Please consider joining our growing list of Garden Donors by attending the luncheon on April 29, 2009 at the Shady Canyon Golf Club.

The Conservancy has continued its work to ensure that the Botanical Garden is a priority of the Great Park. As we began to explore development of the Botanical Garden, we realized the need for a smaller scale garden that would preview what is being planned within the larger Botanical Garden. This preview garden — called the Conservancy Garden — will be a model Southern California Garden within the Great Park.

Through the strong financial support of our Founding Garden Donors, we have begun a feasibility study for the Garden's development and are partnering with the Discovery Science Center to move the project from concept to reality.

The Garden is planned to be a place where students of all ages can learn about science and nature in fun and entertaining ways. Sustainable and organic garden practices, stewardship of our natural resources, environmental awareness and home gardening will all be themes within the Conservancy Garden. It promises to be world-class in design, feature beautiful horticulture, be changeable and renewable and tell the story of the future Botanical Garden.

To learn more about the third annual Garden Luncheon click here.

Posted March 27, 2009

 

A Place Where Inspiration Becomes Opportunity – the Orange County Great Park

In our effort to promote regional awareness for the Orange County Great Park, the Conservancy sponsored a public service announcement (PSA) that will run during intermission at the 2008-2009 Anaheim Ducks hockey games and will air on KOCE throughout 2009. Click here to view our latest PSA.

Posted November 20, 2008


Plans Unveiled for Conservancy Garden at Jewel of Orange County 2008

At our third annual Jewel of Orange County fundraising event on July 11, 2008, the Conservancy hosted 550 guests in one of the former El Toro Marine base hangars. Guests enjoyed cocktails while they browsed the silent auction of stunning jewelry. Later they enjoyed an organic, California-grown gourmet dinner all presented using recyclable products and renewable resources. A live auction representing future Conservancy programs included the Conservancy Garden, Wildlife Corridor, National Archives, Heritage Foundation, and the Great Park Community Farm. Dinner, the live auction, and entertainment by Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings were presented on the tarmac under the stars on this beautiful summer evening.

As a hallmark of the Conservancy’s progress, the event included an announcement of plans to begin work on the Conservancy Garden (see video), which is envisioned to be a source of inspiration for the larger Botanical Garden in the Great Park. This garden will be world-class in design, feature beautiful horticulture, include opportunities for learning, and be changeable and renewable. In an historic agreement between the Great Park Corporation and the Great Park Conservancy, the Conservancy is moving forward with plans to develop and operate this garden. The agreement represents a tremendous opportunity for both the Great Park Corporation and Great Park Conservancy because it will mark the park’s first permanent project and establish the foundation for future projects between the Great Park Corporation and the Great Park Conservancy.

Posted July 21, 2008


Conservancy Pledges $500,000 for Garden at the Great Park
The Great Park Conservancy’s Board of Directors has pledged to raise a minimum of $500,000 for the creation of a Conservancy Garden at the Orange County Great Park. Great Park Corporation Board Chair Larry Agran called the offer “a truly significant act worthy of note and deepest appreciation.” He went on to say that the Conservancy’s support promises to be “an integral part of a Great Park for all of Orange County to enjoy.”

Over the past year, the Conservancy conducted initial research for the Botanical Garden at the Orange County Great Park. In the course of this research, the idea for a Conservancy Garden as a first feature of the larger garden began to grow. The Conservancy Garden will be a source of inspiration for the larger garden. It will be world class in design, tell the story of the future botanical garden, include opportunities for learning, and be changeable and renewable. The Conservancy will immediately begin working with Great Park Master Designer Ken Smith and the Great Park Design Studio to discuss design issues and opportunities for the Conservancy Garden.

The Conservancy envisions the Great Park to be one of the world’s great metropolitan parks. Our role is to generate and maintain public and private support throughout Orange County and beyond for the development and operation of the Orange County Great Park.

We look forward to working with the Great Park Corporation and the Great Park Design Studio to support the planning, development, financing and operation of the Orange County Great Park – beginning with this partnership on the Conservancy Garden.

Posted February 8, 2008

Great Park Survey Results
In early December, members of the public were invited to attend an Open House at the Great Park, meet and talk with the Park designers, and participate in a short survey on proposed Park programs. The Conservancy offered an opportunity and encouraged those who could not attend the Open House to participate in the survey on-line.

Results of the survey have been compiled and are presented here in summary, along with comments by survey participants. Among the key findings are that people want: a mix of uses within the Park; features and programs that take advantage of the outdoors and unique space of the Park; and, facilities and amenities that are not otherwise available.

Among the most popular attractions are:
Outdoor Performance Space
Botanical Garden
Amphitheater
Hiking Trails
Biking Trails
Nature Trails
Farmer's Market
Regional Festivals
Outdoor Cinema
Wildlife Observation Areas
Community Gardens.

Comments by survey participants included:
"The Great Park is an opportunity to provide O
range County with extraordinary museums, hiking paths, gardens, etc. that can be enjoyed by all ages..."

"Keep it green. Keep it interactive. Keep it about community in O.C."

"The park should act as a town square or focal point for all of Orange County to come together. It should incorporate much needed cultural venues where residents can find substance for the mind and soul."

If you would like to receive a copy of the complete survey results, please call our Conservancy offices at 949.653.1775.

Posted December 20, 2007

Great Park Open House Invites Public to Comment on Park Programs
The public continues to play an important role in the design of the Orange County Great Park. On December 1st and 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Great Park Balloon site, the public is invited to the "Make the Great Park Your Park" Open House. Guests will be able to meet and talk with the Great Park designers, review exhibits and comment on proposed park programs through a short survey.

Members of the public who are unable to attend the event will be able to take the survey online at ocgp.org. The online survey will be available from December 1st through the 8th.

Programs under consideration have been grouped into five general areas: sports and recreation; cultural and social institutions and activities; historic preservation; ecology and nature; and festivals and events. Exhibits depicting programs in each of these areas will be on display for public review and comment. Public comments will help to guide the designers in recommending programs for inclusion in the Great Park Schematic Design.

The results of the survey will be presented to the Orange County Great Park Corporation Board on December 13th.

To take the survey click here …

Posted November 30, 2007

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