Developer Sets Aside $20 Million for Public Land

IRVINE —  Orange County’s major developer announced Wednesday the availability of $20 million to preserve, restore and enhance access to more than 30,000 acres of land already donated or earmarked for donation as open public space.

Under the plan by the Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation--a separate nonprofit foundation formed by the company’s chairman--half the money will be dedicated to 14,000 acres the company has already to public agencies, mostly in connection with existing developments. The other half will be used to enhance about 19,600 acres earmarked for donation in the future.

“Over the years our company has conveyed thousands of acres of land to the public for open space,” spokesman Rich Elbaum said, “but what is also important is assuring that the public has access to it so that they can enjoy it forever.”

Among the projects eligible for funding, he said, are the restoration of existing trails and the creation of trail heads. The money also could be used for such enhancements as drinking fountains and benches, he said. A portion of the funds could be used for scientific projects aimed at enhancing and preserving the environment.

Bren said in a news release, “As important as the Irvine Co.’s previous and future dedications of land for permanent open space are, our commitment to open space extends beyond the dedication of land.”

Beginning with the donation of land for Irvine Regional Park in 1987, Elbaum said, the Irvine Co. has designated 33,600 acres--more than 36% of the original Irvine Ranch--as permanent open space, mostly in exchange for permission to build major housing developments.