Orange Council Approves Former Quarry Park Conversion

The city will transform a 68-acre mining site on Santiago Canyon Road into public open space.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Commercial

Screen-print poster illustration of a rugged terraced quarry landscape with tiered earth slopes and sparse native scrub, evoking community land development. — The Orange City Council approved plans on August 25 to transform a 68-acre former quarry into public land, ending years of debate. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local government prioritize converting vacant land into public parks over private development?

On August 25, 2026, the Orange City Council approved agreements to convert a former quarry into public land. The developer Landify will manage the property cleanup and site preparation before transferring ownership to the city.

Why it matters

These agreements aim to resolve decades of debate surrounding the future of the property following years of community opposition to residential development. The project marks a major shift for the site, which had been considered for private housing.

The property spans 68 acres and was utilized for mining activities from 1919 to 1995. Arsenic has been identified within existing soil stockpiles on the site, requiring specific remediation work.

The players

Landify

This real estate development firm is responsible for acquiring the property and performing all required site grading and preparation.

Milan

Milan is the current owner of the former quarry property located in Orange.

Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board

This state regulatory body is responsible for oversight of water quality and the identification of soil contaminants such as arsenic.

The details

Landify plans to acquire the property from its current owner, Milan, to oversee the necessary grading and site reconstruction. The work involves cutting back existing stockpile slopes and placing new engineered fill to prepare the terrain for public use.

Mining operations occurred on the property from 1919 to 1995.
Voters rejected a proposal for 128 homes on the site in November 2020.
The city council approved the developer agreements on August 25, 2026.

Culture Shift

The decision reflects a broader societal movement toward reclaiming industrial land for community recreation rather than private housing. This pivot mirrors the growing public prioritization of open space preservation over residential expansion in dense urban corridors.

Residents can expect the property to remain under private ownership by Landify for the duration of the site preparation work. Following this multi-year process, the land will be transferred to the city to serve as permanent public open space for the community.

The takeaway

The citys plan highlights the potential for transforming long-dormant industrial sites into community assets. Residents interested in future improvements should monitor upcoming city council hearings regarding state and federal grant applications.