| Projects: Current Two of the Community Services Department's major projects under way are the renovation at El Camino Real Park and construction of a gymnasium at Grijalva Park at Santiago Creek. This page was last updated on December 8, 2009.
Grijalva Park at Santiago Creek and Gymnasium/Sports Center Estimated Completion Date: January 2010 Click here to view pictures of the gymnasium/sports center construction, two renderings of the gymnasium's front lobby and meeting room facilities, and the rendering of the finished project. Background The Grijalva Park Extension Landfill Cap Project was completed in October 24, 2006. A portion of this work was paid for with a Brownfield’s Cleanup Grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This landfill remediation was approved by the regulatory agencies including the EPA, Orange County Health Care Agency, and Regional Water Quality Control Board- Santa Ana Region (RWQCB). Other funding includes State Proposition 40 per capita and competitive funds. Former County of Orange Supervisor Todd Spitzer directed the transfer of $1 million of the County of Orange Per Capita funds to the Gymnasium/Sports Center Project and in fall of 2004, and the City of Orange was awarded $2 million from the competitive Urban Park Act. The City will also be utilizing portions of allocated Proposition 40 per capita funds for the design and construction of the Gymnasium. On December 13, 2005, the City Council approved the conceptual master plan for the City’s Grijalva Park at Santiago Creek extension property that will complete the 42-acre community park. The conceptual site plan includes a gymnasium/sports center, aquatic center, community building, skate park, outdoor amphitheater, tot lot, picnic shelter, restrooms, open space area, trails, circulation, parking and landscape improvements. The design embodies the valuable natural features and embraces the rich history of the site. Integrated Design Services, Inc. (IDS) has been hired for design and construction management services and Rengel + Co. Architects has been hired to complete the Architectural and Engineering plans for the Gymnasium/Sports Center. In February 2008, the City awarded the project to RC Construction and construction began in April 2008. Construction Details The Grijalva Park at Santiago Creek Gymnasium/Sports Center and associated site improvements (Phase I construction) include the following elements: - Building – the building will be tilt-up construction consisting of a gymnasium that includes one full size basketball court and two cross-courts, a dance room, one classroom with separation curtain, staff offices, lobby, restrooms, and storage rooms. The building also has an associated courtyard to the south and trellis elements on the north and south side entryways.
- Landscape – the project includes the planting of trees, shrubs and ground cover in the areas adjacent to the building and includes the placement of hydro-seed (turf) over the large open areas to the north and south of the building. In addition to this a new irrigation system will also be installed. The project includes hardscape features and other amenities such as concrete walkways, dirt & gravel (DG) paths, pavers, wood bridges, large rocks, trash enclosure, benches, seat walls, fences, and gates. The project will also feature a new monument sign at Walnut Street (similar to the existing sign at Spring Street and Prospect). There will be three kiosk stations adjacent to the creek to identify environmental/natural aspects of the area.
- Parking/Streets – the project includes the construction of a parking lot to service the gymnasium. This includes a drop-off lane, accessible parking areas, parking lot planters, some decorative pavers, and two driveway approaches onto the existing park road. There will be a new connection made at Walnut to allow for the construction of a new park road to extend the existing park road to the north. The project includes a new cul-de-sac at McPherson and a minor alignment adjustment to Spring Street at the previous intersection with McPherson. There will also be a re-striping of the parking stalls along Spring Street. The project also includes a DG fire access road to the north side of the building.
- Utilities – the project includes the construction of new utilities to service the building – including sewer, gas, electrical, potable water, underground fire-water, data, telephone, and cable. The project also includes storm drain lines and inlets, along with utility items such as an electrical transformer, backflow preventors, fire hydrants, irrigation control boxes, post indicator valves, and Fire Department connections. This project will also include the infrastructure for utility service to future facilities as planned in the Grijalva Park Master Plan (i.e. aquatic center, community building, etc).This includes the sizing of utilities to handle future loads of all proposed park amenities.
The Community Foundation of Orange's Buy A Brick program has ended and the pavers have recently been installed. Contact Us Please email Community Services Department's Administration or call (714) 744-7264 if you have any questions about this project.
El Camino Real Park Estimated Completion Date: January 2010 Click Here - For the most recent construction status newsletter. Background El Camino Real Park is an 18.67-acre park that was built in the late 1970’s. Current amenities include six tennis courts, two basketball courts, six handball courts, two volleyball courts, four softball fields (two lighted adult fields and two non-lighted youth fields), tot-lot, three restroom buildings, concession building, activity room, parking lots and walkways. After many years of highly active use, it is time for a major renovation of this facility. In 2000, staff began the renovation process for El Camino Real Park. In addition to the aging infrastructure of the park, the need for a girl’s softball complex in order to meet Title IX mandates was also an important factor in the renovation. There was an extensive community outreach process, which included five (5) community meetings in order to garner input on the conceptual plan that was eventually used to direct the design of the park. The Park Planning and Development Commission reviewed this project on October 11, 2001, November 15, 2001, May 9, 2002, August 12, 2004, November 10, 2005 and March 9, 2006. The minutes and staff reports from these meetings are available upon request from Community Services Administration at 744-7264. On March 9, 2006, direction was given by the Park, Planning and Development Commission for staff to prepare environmental documentation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the master plan for El Camino Real Park. Staff prepared a Negative Declaration ("ND") to address and disclose the potential environmental effects of the implementation of the proposed project. On December 14, 2006 the Park Planning and Development Commission reviewed and considered the information contained in Negative Declaration No. 1770-06 and recommended that the City Council adopt the ND and that the City Council approve the Master Plan for the El Camino Real Park. On January 23, 2007 the City Council adopted Negative Declaration No. 1770-06 and approved the Master Plan for El Camino Real Park. In June 2008, the City Council approved a $7M renovation of the 18.7-acre El Camino Real Park and awarded the project to Los Angeles Engineering. Construction began in September 2008 and the City has completed the first phase of construction. Proposed Improvements - Reconfiguration of the existing four softball fields to a “cloverleaf” configuration with batting cages and bullpens, shaded dugouts, scoreboard, and bleachers
- A new shade structure for the softball field complex
- Construction modification and reuse of the existing multi-use building to a concession/restroom/storage facility at the southern portion of the softball field complex
- Demolition of the existing community building and construction of a new community building near the tot-lot
- Construction of a new restroom building with an attached storage area on the east side of the park
- Renovation of the existing restroom building directly south of Orangewood Avenue
- Replacement of the roof and painting of the existing maintenance building
- Existing field lighting/security lighting will be reconfigured and expanded to accommodate the proposed “cloverleaf” configuration
- Court lighting at the existing basketball, volleyball, handball, and tennis courts will be replaced
- New street lighting will be installed on Main Street and Orangewood Avenue
- Utility upgrades include replacement and relocation of electrical panels to the interior of buildings; onsite sewer and water connections as needed, and replacement of irrigation pump station, irrigation system, and irrigation backflow
- The walkways around the park will be maintained, and re-established where disturbed by construction
- Landscaping will also be installed throughout the park, having a concentration of trees surrounding the softball fields and walkways, as well as picnic tables and park benches. All trees removed during project implementation will be replaced.
A temporary trailer located in the Orangewood parking lot will house the City’s after-school program and the community based Tot-Lot program. Access to the current playground will also be restricted at times as it is adjacent to the construction area for the new park building. Girls Central Orange Fastpitch will be relocated to Hart Park for the 2009 season during the El Camino Real Park closure and return to the park for their 2010 season. A letter was sent to area residents informing them of the parks' renovation. Click here to view a copy of that letter. Contact Us For more information about El Camino Real Park, please contact Community Services Department's Administration at (714) 744-7264. 
Conceptual Plan for El Camino Real Park (Actual improvements will vary--final drawings to be posted shortly) |
