Former Orange Quarry Site to Become Public Open Space
The 68-acre property will be prepped for public use following city approval of new development agreements.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Commercial
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On August 25, the Orange city council finalized agreements to transform a former 68-acre mining site into public open space. The plan ends years of local debate regarding the property, which had previously been eyed for residential development.
Why it matters
This move settles the future of a dormant site that has remained unused since mining operations ceased in 1995, potentially increasing local access to parkland. The agreement provides a path to resolve environmental concerns involving soil quality at the former quarry.
The property spans 68 acres and was utilized for mining from 1919 to 1995. Current plans replace a 2020 proposal that sought to build 128 homes on the land.
The players
Landify
The private developer tasked with site grading and soil preparation before transferring the property to the city.
Milan
The current property owner of the 68-acre former quarry site.
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board
The regulatory agency that identified arsenic in the soil stockpiles at the quarry.
The details
The developer Landify will acquire the property from Milan to manage the site preparation and grading. This process involves reconstructing existing stockpile slopes and placing new engineered fill to address arsenic found in soil stockpiles by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. Landify will retain ownership of the land until all grading and stabilization requirements are met, at which point ownership will transfer to the city.
Timeline
1919-1995: The site operated as an active quarry.
November 2020: Voters blocked a plan to build 128 homes on the property.
August 25, 2026: Orange city council approved the development agreements.
The Home Front
The conversion follows long-standing patterns of redeveloping decommissioned industrial sites into public recreation areas. This project aligns with regional efforts to meet the soil remediation standards set by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Residents should expect a multi-year construction process as the developer completes site grading and stabilization. Property owners in the vicinity can track progress through future city council updates regarding federal and state grant applications for park improvements.
The takeaway
The city has officially pivoted from residential development to public land usage for the 68-acre quarry site. Future improvements are expected to depend on securing state and federal grants to fund the cleanup and park construction.
Further reading
For more on local business development and land use, visit Commercial.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Voice of OC.
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