SeeCalifornia.com

Don’t get too excited when you hear there’s going to be a “Great Park” to rival Central Park in NYC, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park or Balboa Park in the heart of San Diego. Maybe one day the seemingly barren fields with a silly tethered orange balloon (ride) will be such a place. But right now things aren’t looking that great, not quite.

The land that could have either become an international airport or park. If you lived in North Orange County you probably voted for an airport, and if you lived in South Orange County, you chose the park option.  The park votes won and it was to become  the people’s park with hopes of over $1 billion in parks funds coming in from developer fees to build the dream.  Formerly known as El Toro Marine Base, that military facility was shuttered and sat empty for years. Some argue that it’s still empty, compared to what it could or should be. Located in one of the most densely populated areas of the U.S., a park seemed like what’s needed.  Possibly more than $200 million has been spent to date in no-bid contracts for design plans. Then there are salaries for 40 some employees and part time staff, and questionable or poorly documented expenses, according to the Orange County Grand Jury.  The Great Park is a story that has unfolded in other cities in California, as well, though not so dramatically. With the housing bubble collapse and Governor Jerry Brown ending redevelopment, the $1 billion estimated developer fees for a park have never materialized.  Californians may some day add a visit to the Great Park to their bucket list of things to do when seeing Disneyland and Orange County beaches, but for now, riding the orange balloon isn’t worth the trip. The view looks over fields. It’s OK, but certainly not like soaring over Napa, Sonoma or Temecula in a hot air ballon!