Wild Rivers Finds a New Home

Orange County supervisors today approved a new water park today on the old El Toro Marine Corps base property across from the Orange County Great Park.

Wild Rivers water park, which operated for 27 years on Irvine Co. property next to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, will be rebuilt on 17 acres next to the Great Park. Its lease with the Irvine Co. expired last year.

"This is an exciting opportunity,'' Supervisor Bill Campbell said. "The new-and-improved Wild Rivers will be a complement to the Great Park and an asset for Orange County."

The county expects to get $30 million or more over the life of the 25-year lease. The park is expected to open in May 2014.

"This represents a good balance of generating revenue, creating jobs and preserving a popular Orange County business,'' Supervisor Patricia Bates said.

— City News Service