Orange planning new park in western part of city

City officials are planning for a new park in West Orange and are turning to community members for ideas of what they would like to see included.

In the fall, city and county leaders reached an agreement that gives Orange a long-term lease to almost 2.4 acres of Orange County Flood Control property on West Chapman Avenue along the Santa Ana River. The lease is rent-free.

It is a long thin piece of land that reaches back from the street, ending at the 5 freeway; people might remember a Denny’s restaurant and Motel 6 that were next door before being torn down in recent years.

Officials envision a “passive park” with benches and seating areas, a place for kids to play, exercise equipment, amenities for dogs and something like a demonstration garden or public art piece, said Charlene Cheng, spokesperson for the city. The Santa Ana River bike trail is right there, too.

Residents can weigh in with ideas during a community meeting planned with city leaders and the park’s designers at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18. That meeting will be held at El Camino Real Park, 400 N. Main St.

One thing the lease with the county won’t allow for is a restroom building.

For now, about $225,000 has been budgeted for designing the park, which should be completed later this year, Cheng said. Once a price tag is worked out, funding would need to be found in the budget for the next fiscal year.