Key Park Programs Moving Forward

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orange County Great Park Board of Directors yesterday gave the approval for Great Park Chief Executive Officer Mike Ellzey to negotiate agreements in connection with two important Great Park priority programs for children, youth and families. The Discovery Science Center hopes to build a Nature Education Garden in the Great Park, and the Orange County Children and Families Commission is leading the planning effort to develop a Center for Community Organizations, a facility that would be located in the Park for non-profit organizations to operate more efficiently while providing important community services.

"Partnering with these two great organizations would enable the Park to serve all Orange County residents, especially children, youth and families," said Larry Agran, Chair of the Orange County Great Park Board Corporation. "Both organizations would help to further the Park's initiatives for education, health, culture and community well-being."

The Nature Education Garden is planned to be a high-quality educational experience. Its development at the Great Park would be a stepping stone to a Botanical Garden and Life Science Museum at the Park. Plans for the garden would blend nature, life science, and education in a playful garden setting. It would feature sustainable and organic garden practices, home gardening and stewardship of natural resources - environmental awareness, water conservation and energy consumption.

"The 11.6 acre Nature Education Garden would blend hands-on science exhibits with a beautiful nature garden, creating a very unique and fun experience," said Joe Adams, President, Discovery Science Center. "We are proud to work with the Great Park on this exciting educational project that will showcase life, earth and environmental sciences."

The Orange County Children and Families Commission sponsored the planning study for a 75,000 to 100,000 square foot non-profit community center providing office space and support areas for small to large non-profit organizations. The synergy of these groups, and the provision of shared services, will leverage their service ability and improve capacity. There are currently more than 6,200 non-profit organizations in Orange County.

The Center for Community Organizations would be located at the Great Park, and feature a business/technical center for all non-profits and community members. It would also provide work force training and conference areas, a cafe and kitchen, child care services for infants and toddlers, and a wellness center for health education and referral.

"The non-profit community is appreciative that the Board has moved this important priority program forward," said Mike Ruane, Executive Director, Orange County Children and Families Commission. "We have heard directly from key organizations providing critical services for children, youth and families that having a single center as a way for them to share resources would be extremely important in the future."

For more information on the Orange County Great Park, go to www.ocgp.org.

SOURCE Orange County Great Park