Park Scoreboards, Projects Planned

ORANGE —  Little Leaguers and other sports teams at Handy Park will soon see their hits and misses light up on electronic scoreboards.

It’s part of a $360,000 development package of city and county park funds.

The bulk of the money will go for Phase 2 of Belmont Park near the new Southridge Tract residential subdivision on Via Escola Avenue near Meats Avenue.

The city is putting up $250,000 for Belmont and the county is adding $100,000 in the form of an Orange County Urban Parks grant. The money will pay for construction of restrooms, playground equipment and a basketball court.

In addition, the city and the county are each putting up $5,000 for the Handy Park scoreboards.

The 2.11 acres of land for Belmont Park was deeded to the city in lieu of fees by Standard Pacific Development Co. when it planned the neighborhood. The developer completed some preliminary work on the land.

Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez selected the park projects for the county grant in late July. “It’s a nice grant,” said Community Services Manager Gabe Garcia.

Garcia said residents can expect to see the Belmont improvements completed by next spring or summer.

Handy Park is off East Collins Avenue near Handy Street.

Field lighting was installed there last fall to extend playing time for youth groups, Garcia said.