

Coronavirus Testing Begins in Irvine
The City of Irvine, in partnership with Curogram and multiple laboratories, including local Pangea Laboratory, will be providing drive-through Coronavirus testing beginning on Monday, July 13. Only PCR testing, which determines if someone currently has the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is available. This month long testing program will be available by appointment only and will take place Mondays through Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Lot 6 at the Great Park. There is no out of pocke


First games to be played at new Great Park baseball stadium
As a city commissioner, I'm proud of my role in the delivery of parks, recreation amenities, and the protection of open space in Irvine. When I am invited to attend ribbon cuttings, it's a lot of ceremony and celebration. I have to remind myself that the ceremonies commemorate countless individuals pouring in hours upon hours of planning and implementation to bring us the final product we're celebrating. Thousands of you have joined us at City Hall, pushing for plans and impl


Happy National Water Park Day
Today is National Water Park Day! While we don't have a major water park in Irvine, many of you know we once did: Wild Rivers. Some of you who have been avid followers know that Wild Rivers is set to make a comeback! Having grown up in Irvine, I was always a fan of Wild Rivers. As a community representative, I've been an ardent and public advocate for their return to Irvine. Wild Rivers has been at the forefront of my mind for many years now. From meetings with their represen


Iconic Wild Rivers water park eyes return to Irvine in 2019
For years, Irvine residents, and even more broadly, our Southern California neighbors, enjoyed the unique water attractions of Wild Rivers Waterpark off Irvine Center Drive and the 405. Children and families lounged on the Lazy River, felt the suspense of the Edge, and sloshed around in the Monsoon Lagoon. Unfortunately, the gates of Wild Rivers closed in 2011. While spending a number of years looking for a new home, Wild Rivers will likely return to Irvine next year, this ti


Irvine Residents Protest Homeless Plan
IRVINE — The battle is intensifying over where to relocate hundreds of homeless people in Orange County. A federal judge recently ordered the county to come up with a plan and it did. But now residents are rising up. The County [of Orange] is considering putting the homeless across from Great Park as it works to handle a persistent homeless problem. But what started out this week as an idea to create three temporary shelters in Huntington Beach, Laguna Niguel and Irvine, turn


Let's bring back Wild Rivers to Irvine
Like countless others who grew up in Irvine, I enjoyed the water slides, attractions, and fun of Wild Rivers during the summer. Earlier this March, I spoke at the Great Park Board and City Council meetings about how much I loved and missed "the Edge," and "Monsoon Lagoon." I have been so pleased to have the opportunity over the past few years to meet with various stakeholders to discuss the history and community contributions of Wild Rivers, but even more pleased to discuss t


An Open Letter to Orange County's Veterans
Recently, I heard from Chairman Bill Cook of the Orange County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation. At his request, I provided him my position on the proposed Veterans cemetery in Irvine: Dear Chair Cook and Orange County Veterans: Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of joining many of you speaking to the Irvine City Council in support of the site adjacent to I-5, or as many in our community know as “the Swap.” During that meeting, I spoke in support of the cemetery as an ind