City to Examine Plan for Deer Canyon Park

A master plan for Deer Canyon Park Preserve, a 130-acre nature area in Anaheim Hills, will be reviewed by the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting.

The plan, which has been approved by the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, calls for hiking and horseback riding trails and a parking area for 30 cars at the northern entrance to the park.

Some residents had raised concerns about public access to the park and creation of a parking area. A vehicle entrance road off Santa Ana Canyon Road for public access is proposed.

But Richard Mayer, park planner, said the city will not pursue buying private property for public access until more residential development occurs to the north.

The parking lot is to be built but not used until public access is available from Santa Ana Canyon Road.

Mayer also said the city does not intend to advertise the area yet as being open to the public.

Pedestrian and equestrian access will be from Hollow Oak Road, Mohler Drive, Canyon Rim Road, Fairmont Boulevard and the East Hills subdivision.

Other improvements planned are rest areas with benches and tables, erosion control and fire prevention measures, and vegetation and wildlife habitat enhancements.

The improvements, costing about $1 million, will be paid for with money from the Highlands housing development Mello-Roos Assessment District.

Also on Tuesday, the council will consider awarding a $22.2-million contract for the first phase of the Anaheim Convention Center expansion project. The Convention Center will undergo a $150-million expansion, increasing its size to 1.4 million square feet by the year 2000.

The council will meet at 5 p.m. in chambers, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Information: (714) 254-5166.