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Proposed new park offers dizzying views, winding trails
January 7th, 2010, 11:35 am · 17 Comments · posted by Pat Brennan, science, environment editor
Orange County’s outdoor enthusiasts could receive their newest gift by spring: the brand-new Black Star Canyon Regional Park, nearly 2,000 acres exploding with native plants, astonishing rock formations and breathtaking views. 
The proposed new park is part of a 20,000-acre offering from the Irvine Co. to OC Parks — a land transfer that, if approved, would boost the park agency’s holdings by 50 percent.
County officials are now analyzing the donation offer, and hope to bring it to the Orange County Board of Supervisors for approval by March.
The new park, centered on Black Star Canyon in northeastern Orange County, would be open to hiking, biking and horseback riding. Cresting a main trail on a ridge, visitors would be greeted by picturesque red cliffs to the west and a sweeping view of Irvine Lake.
“You can see Catalina on a clear day,” said Mike O’Connell, executive director of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, on a visit to the proposed parkland this week. “The views are remarkable.”
The Santiago Creek bed meanders at the feet of the cliffs, winding northward to empty into the lake; this time of year it is filled with sycamores displaying dazzling fall colors.
The area is known for offering many examples of Orange County’s native plant communities, including coastal sage scrub, chaparral, streamside woodlands and stands of gnarled oaks. Bobcats, coyotes and rare ringtail cats have been seen on the property, O’Connell said, and it is within mountain lion territory — though the lions are seldom seen.
A 15-mile network of trails also would link the park to the adjacent Cleveland National Forest.
The park would provide easy access for county residents, but the rocks to the west keep it well screened from signs of civilization.
“People will have the ability to get out so close to Orange County, and feel like it’s so far away,” said OC Parks district supervisor John Gannaway.
Parks officials say turning the area into a county park also could cure chronic troubles with crime and late-night partiers on Black Star Canyon Road, which now leads to a locked gate on the edge of the property. Beyond the gate, the road allows access by foot or bike to the Cleveland National Forest.
Nearby residents, however, have complained for years about revelers who converge on the area at night for drinking, making wilderness trysts and, at times, launching bottle rockets from rock ledges or firing guns into metal signs.
OC Parks planners are still working out details, but turning the area into a park would likely mean moving the entry gate closer to the intersection of Black Star Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road.
The public could park in a staging area behind the gate during the day; at night it would be locked, though residents would have keys.
That, parks officials said, would discourage criminal activity and make the park entrance more accessible to law enforcement.
The planners also envision a staging area for educational programs and a hiking trail through native shrubs and oaks on flat ground — a rarity in Orange County.
As OC Parks and Irvine Ranch officials toured the property Wednesday, turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks wheeled overhead. Coyote scat was abundant. Green shoots blanketed the hills, hinting at wildflowers to come, and a calm silence settled in until it was broken by passing aircraft.
The idea, O’Connell said, is to keep it that way.
“This is a natural park, and it will remain natural, with minimal improvements,” he said.
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“Cresting a main trail on a ridge, visitors would be greeted by picturesque red cliffs to the west and a sweeping view of Irvine Lake.” — and angry cabin-dwelling residents wielding pipes, bats, guns, knives, and cannons.
I can’t wait and nether can the rest of the local outdoor community. Safety will no doubt be enhanced by a larger public presence and more watchful eyes. Teenagers are always going to do stupid things regardless of the rules, but for every knucklehead I have seen a dozen responsible users. The IRC has been taking the time to study and monitor the local ecology before just swinging wide the gates for a stampede. Long term this trail system can link with others locally providing a full days enjoyment and urban escape within convenient driving distance. Once the majority of fences come down the thought of native species truly being able to range from the Chino hills all the way south to coastal habitats is a textbook example on sustainable and responsible development.
The map really shows a lot of detail.
Since OC Parks chooses to deny me access to countless square miles of wilderness because I travel with my service dog, I’d like to see a more public-minded organization take control. I’m guessing this land will remain just as inaccessible to me.
This sounds great, I hope it really happens!
Where is the money going to come from? I thought we were in a recesion? OC residents will get duped again, just like we did by the promoters of “The Great Park”.
What park?
IRC probably has a huge tax bill from land that they know will come with a lawsuit to develop. So, why not donate it and no property taxes and write off the land? I am guessing this was the case.
Blauski is on to something…
though on the surface it seems really generous of Irvine Co to donate this to the county…
But I just can’t trust big corporations. I am guessing this land is too much of an expense for Irvine Co to maintain.
I heard that Black Star is haunted at night?
I expect Native American groups will oppose this park and they will as in the past be completely ignored.
“Black Star Canyon is perhaps best known to historians as an important archaeological site as much information concerning the daily lives of the Gabrielino or Tongva people has been uncovered through studies of artifacts found in the canyon. The site of the settlement is now California Historical Landmark number 217.”
- Wikipedia
Pipe Dream. Here is the reason why.
The access road, Black Star Caynon RDgoes through a section of private property. The family that owns it put up a fence in the 70′s and told everyone going back there to take a dirt dive, you will never cross my property. As a born and raised OC native I can tell you this subject has been talked about since the 70′s.
Black Star Canyon Road is a public road all the way from Silverado Canyon to Corona, has been for decades, and it will stay that way. There has been and will be no motorized traffic on it except for residents and fire/emergency vehicles, which is likely to remain the case for two reasons – fire danger and hazardous road conditions for vehicles at higher elevations and bridges. Hikers and bikers will have ready access, not sure about equestrians. I suppose a reason for that last is how do you block motorcycles with a barrier that allows a horse to pass?
It’s true that in the past there was harassment of hikers by persons living in the area. Law enforcement dealt with that and things have settled down.
i l ive in blackstar canyon im a resident and im not crazy or scary people who are recpectful arent the problem people who dump trash and act like idiots are
I understand what you are saying and I agree with it completely. It would be great if we could tell the difference between the respectful people and the idiots. Life would be better for us all. Too bad we can’t. So we all must be punished for the acts of the few.
Black Star Canyon is a beautiful place but the more people come and see it, the worse it gets. Each person tries to take a little of the canyon with them leaving less and less to be enjoyed. People want to leave a little piece of them behind as a memory. This is usually trash, graffiti, or wreckage. I’ve watched this close hand for many years. Private property is private. Leave it that way. It’s the only way to save the land for future generations to enjoy.
what about the RC flying field there. will they be required to close?
I recall in the early 1990s when I toured the old Santa Ana Court House seeing an old map and on that map had “Black Star Canyon Regional Park” (purposed). Again, this was a very old map so I always expected it to be part of the park system. I have lived in Silverado for 20 (this March), I love the area and have spent a great deal of time hiking Blackstar and to the falls a few times as well. I have been harrassed a few times but again, always be respectful and state your right to be on the road and they go on their way. I am sure some of the folk that live back there are not happy right now. In some ways, the reputation has kept some away that may have caused damage.