Exciting 20,000 Acre Land Grant in Orange County
Open Spaces in Orange County CA
In a time where open space is constantly being devoured by developers, it’s a breath of fresh air to read about a 20,000 acre land grant. In June 2010 The Irvine Company gifted this acreage, to be called the Irvine Ranch Open Space, to Orange County Parks System. The grant encompasses six wilderness areas, averaging about 3,300 acres each.
The Irvine Company owns a significant portion of Orange County that covers the former Irvine Ranch – dating back to the ranching days in California’s history. They are the county’s single largest developer of residential, commercial and retail properties. They are unique in that they also have a philanthropic side – donating and setting aside other land preserves throughout the years.
This grant is of special interest to me because I love to hike in areas like these, gathering inspiration for my paintings. Limestone Canyon, which is known as the “Grand Canyon of Orange County”, is a significant part of this grant. My husband and I have hiked into this beautiful, multi-colored landscape on occasion, but found entry into it difficult. It’s my hope that it will become more accessible to hikers in the future.
An exciting aspect of this gift is that it represents a 50% land increase in the Orange County Park’s land holdings. The arrangement also demonstrates an ongoing partnership between the Parks Commission and the Irvine Company’s Ranch Conservancy – demonstrating that big business and land preservation groups can work together hand in hand. Thank you, Irvine Company!