Randall Preserve Received $2 Million State Funding

The 387-acre site in Newport Beach has begun restoration work to convert former oil land into public coastal space.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy

Randall Preserve Received $2 Million State Funding

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Should local coastal land be prioritized for habitat restoration over new housing development?

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris has presented a $2 million check to support the ongoing restoration of the Randall Preserve. This state funding arrives as the preserve begins the initial phase of its long-term project to reclaim former industrial land.

Why it matters

The funding supports a multi-year effort to rehabilitate a site that once held nearly 500 oil wells, transforming the property into a natural habitat with public coastal access for the Newport Beach community.

The 387-acre Randall Preserve was purchased for $97 million in 2022, following a significant $50 million donation from Frank and Joan Randall in 2019.

The players

Cottie Petrie-Norris

She is an Assemblywoman who presented the state-funded check to support the preserve.

Frank and Joan Randall

They are the donors who contributed $50 million toward the land purchase in 2019.

The details

Managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Coastal Corridor Alliance, the restoration requires cleaning materials and testing wetlands. The first phase of construction includes building a visitor center and developing new walking paths.

1999: Discussions began regarding the future of Banning Ranch.
2012: Banning Ranch Conservancy filed the original lawsuit.
2017: California Supreme Court overturned development on the land.
2022: The 387-acre property was purchased for $97 million.
October 8, 2026: The $2 million check was presented.

Market Landscape

The restoration marks a departure from the site's previous commercial history by prioritizing environmental conservation over industrial development. This shift aligns with broader trends in Southern California to repurpose obsolete oil infrastructure for public land use.

Residents can anticipate the development of new visitor amenities and public walking paths within the preserve over the next five years. The ongoing restoration work is expected to eventually provide increased coastal access for the public.

The takeaway

The transformation of this 387-acre site highlights the complexity of reclaiming industrial land for ecological and public benefit. Residents should watch for upcoming construction milestones as the preserve transitions from a former oil site to a protected community resource.