You Own the Land and its Amenities Now

As of Tuesday, the city officially owns the amenities at the .

While there’s no deed to quit claim, no ceremonial ribbon to cut – the Northwest Open Space opened for public use in June – the San Juan Capistrano Open Space Foundation took the assets “off the books” and gave them to the city, said Brad Gates, foundation president.

“We held an , but we still had some physical work to finish up, so that’s done,” Gates said.

What is “done” is grading, landscaping, 3,000 lineal feet of split-rail fencing, 700 feet of irrigation, a watering trough, hitching post, doggie bag station, trash receptacles, concrete and signage, according to a press release. The nonprofit also picked up the expense of the grand opening celebration in June.

All told, the physical donations represent $30,300 in actual costs, with another 1,145 man hours volunteered to do complete the project, Gates said. He estimates the total value to the city at about $90,000.

Gates sent the city a list of what the foundation provided. The City Council is expected to formally accept items at a future meeting, said Cathy Salcedo, spokeswoman for the city.