Check out the latest news from the City of Yorba Linda

Latest News from the City of Yorba Linda

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COMMUNITY

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A Message from the City Manager

Dear Community Member,

Welcome to May! I was so impressed to see how the Yorba Linda community turned out for Love Yorba Linda day. Last Saturday, over 1,000 volunteers dedicated their morning to helping with over 50 different improvement projects across Yorba Linda. This massive team effort demonstrates all the qualities that make this community truly exceptional: neighbors working alongside each other to make Yorba Linda a better place because their love for their hometown compelled them to action. To everyone who volunteered for this event, to the project leaders, and all the sponsors: thank you for loving Yorba Linda with more than just your words.

If you couldn't participate last Saturday, please know there are many ways to care for the Yorba Linda community. This week is National Small Business Week, and we must continue to support our local businesses as they recover from pandemic restrictions. I encourage everyone to dine local, shop where your heart is, and prioritize supporting the many great small businesses that make Yorba Linda the land of gracious living.

With a fun summer full of great programs and events ahead of us, such as our 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, now is the perfect time to make sure you are following the City's social media accounts. By connecting with us directly, you'll be the first to receive exciting updates about summer events and our regular postings of the latest City news and information. Staying engaged with the City is one of the best ways to stay plugged in to the larger Yorba Linda community, which wouldn't be the same without you.

Best Regards,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

City Council Meeting Recap

Want to learn more about the decisions and actions of the Yorba Linda City Council? The latest City Council meeting recap is now available online. These recaps briefly summarize the City Council's activities until the official minutes are adopted (generally at the next meeting). In addition, City Council Meeting agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on the Agendas and Minutes page on the City's website.

New Waterslide and Splash Pad Features Delivered as Adventure Playground Construction Continues

Exciting progress at Adventure Playground is beginning to take shape! While site preparations have been ongoing since construction began last September, including the installation of utility lines and foundations in preparation for the larger amenities, the recent delivery of the splash-pad rock water features and the waterslide are tangible signs of what's coming soon. No longer just renderings, our anticipation is high as this project becomes more real every day. In addition to the large shade shelter and equipment rooms, these items will be installed throughout May. We anticipate the Adventure Playground renovation to be completed later this fall. For more updates and recent construction footage of Adventure Playground, visit the City's website.

New Pickleball Courts Added During Resurfacing Project

The City is always working hard to ensure our parks are well-maintained and ready to serve the recreation needs of our exceptional community. Recently, we resurfaced the basketball courts at Jessamyn West Park and Box Canyon Park to ensure residents always have a great place to shoot hoops.

Additionally, pickleball fans can get excited too! As part of this resurfacing project, pickleball lines were painted on the court at Box Canyon Park. So challenge your friends to a game or two this summer and earn those bragging rights! Portable nets are onsite, so all you need to bring are your rackets, pickleballs, sunscreen, water, and opponents!

Acai Republic and Other New Businesses Coming Soon

Yorba Linda is constantly attracting new businesses to open their doors in our community. Coming soon to Yorba Linda: Acai Republic! This Southern California acai bowl and juice chain has locations in OC and LA, and is planning to open this summer in the former Oahu Shave Ice location next door to Burrito Bros. and YLS Bakery, in the shopping center with Trader Joe's.

Acai Republic joins a growing list of businesses getting ready to call Yorba Linda home, including:

Crumbl – coming to Town Center;
Clydes Hot Chicken – new construction on Arroyo & School Street;
Denny’s – opening a second location (Richfield Road & Yorba Linda Boulevard);
Jalapeños – opening in the State Bros. center (Lakeview Avenue & Yorba Linda Boulevard)
Lone Wolf Brewing – still in construction (Packing House Square);
OneZo Boba – opening next to Furai Chicken in the Packing House Square; and
Target – opening in former OSH building at Valley View Center in Q1, 2023.

The City presents these exciting updates and announcements about new businesses as information firmly develops. For more information about opening a business in Yorba Linda, contact our Economic Development Manager at 714-961-7105.

Star Wars Day at the Library

Calling all Jedi across the galaxy! Join us at the Library on Saturday, May 14, from 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. as we celebrate everything Star Wars. Enjoy crafts, games, a puppet show, and take pictures with some of your favorite Star Wars characters. Don't forget to dress up; Star Wars costumes are encouraged! To learn more, please visit the Library's website.

Remember: May the fourteenth be with you!

Get Ready for Movies in the Park!

Movies in the Park are back! From May to October, enjoy select Saturday evenings in the park while watching family-friendly movies on our giant inflatable movie screen. Registration is not required to attend these free events, but remember to bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. The first three movies of the season are:

Saturday, May 21 - Encanto (Eastside Community Park);
Saturday, June 18 - Paw Patrol (Hurless Barton Park); and
Saturday, July 16 - Luca (Hurless Barton Park).

The movies start at dusk -- approximately 7:45 p.m. For more information about family fun activities and special events, please visit the City's website.

Commemorate Memorial Day With Us

The Veterans Memorial Association will conduct a Memorial Day event on Monday, May 30. The event will be held at the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park beginning at 2 p.m. and will feature speakers and recognition of members of the Gold Star Walk of Honor.

City Facilities Closed on Memorial Day

In observance of Memorial Day, all City facilities will be closed on Monday, May 30, 2022. Please note that refuse and recycling collection will not take place on Memorial Day, and collection will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week.

Don't Miss Out on Summer Reading Program Fun

The Library's annual Summer Reading Program returns this year for people of all ages. Beginning Monday, June 13, participants may sign-up for the program online. Join us to kick off this year's program at the Summer Reading Fun Fest on Saturday, June 18 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Come enjoy games, crafts, live performances, and other fun activities. For more information on the Summer Reading Program, please visit the Library's website.

In the Aftermath of a Disaster, You Can Make a Difference!

The City of Yorba Linda is currently seeking volunteers for our Yorba Linda Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The goal of Yorba Linda CERT is to provide residents with the basic skills to protect themselves, their families, and neighbors in the aftermath of a disaster. Interested participants can join our upcoming Disaster Preparedness Training program by taking an online course followed by a two-day in-person workshop at the Santa Ana Public Safety Training Center on Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26. To learn more, please visit the City's website or call 714-961-7118.

State Parks Pass Now Available for Library Cardholders

As a part of a recent partnership with the California State Parks, the California State Library has issued day-use parking passes to libraries across the State of California. These passes are now available to active Yorba Linda Public Library cardholders, can be checked out for seven days, and are valid at over 200 State Parks! For more information about the program or to request the use of a pass, please visit the Library's website.

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for disasters is to register with AlertOC, the County's mass notification system. Residents may receive emergency alerts, including disaster notifications, evacuation notices, public health emergencies, public safety emergencies, or any emergency information as defined by the City. Residents can register for AlertOC or manage their existing profiles by visiting AlertOC.org or texting ALERTOC to 888777. Also, it is a good idea to verify that your contact information is up to date by logging on to the AlertOC website, especially after changing your residence or phone number.

Be a Good Neighbor: Clear Dead Brush and Weeds!

Keeping Yorba Linda safe from wildfires is everyone's responsibility -- we are all in this together! If you received a weed abatement notice as part of this year's Weed Abatement Program, please take action now to clear your property of any hazardous conditions that can fuel wildfires. Even if you did not receive a weed abatement notice, it is essential to check your property for dry weeds, brush, and other flammable substances -- and fix them immediately. Thank you for doing your part to keep Yorba Linda fire-safe!

To learn more about the City's Weed Abatement Program, please visit our website or contact the Community Preservation Division at 714-961-7138.

Join OCFA for Girls Empowerment Camp

Girls can do anything! At the Orange County Fire Authority's two-day Girls Empowerment Camp, teens ages 14-18 are introduced firsthand to all aspects of a fire service career. The program will empower campers with life skills and professional guidance that encourages them to pursue a career in public safety. The camp is being held at the OCFA Training Center from May 14-15. For more information, please visit OCFA's website or register for the event online.

Army Corps' Santa Ana Riverbed Project Update

The Army Corps of Engineers is entering its final phase of work to complete the embankment restoration project along the Santa Ana River. As local trail users are already aware, this stage of the project requires the temporary closure of the existing bikeway trail from Via Lomas De Yorba East to Gypsum Canyon so the permanent trail can be constructed. Fortunately, the trail is expected to be reopened by June 6.

The City continues to work closely with the Army Corps, the Army Corps' contractor, and other local agencies to address and mitigate impacts on Yorba Linda residents. We will continue to provide timely updates to the community until this project is complete.

City Receives Caltrans Planning Grant

The City of Yorba Linda is teaming up with the City of Placentia and the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District to help shape the future of active transportation in the area. Together, we applied for the State-funded Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant and were conditionally selected to receive a grant of over $360,000. This grant will allow us to develop a comprehensive Active Transportation Plan (ATP) that incorporates infrastructure improvements for bicycle riders and pedestrians, Safe Routes to School, and multi-use trail plans. This effort will provide a clear and actionable strategy to promote walking and bicycling as a part of healthy lifestyles. By partnering with neighboring agencies, we increased our chances of securing the grant due to a multi-jurisdictional partnership including a school district. This is another example of the City’s exceptional and creative work to ensure the best for Yorba Linda.

Schedule a Wildfire Home Assessment With OCFA

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month, and while experts can’t tell you when the next wildfire will happen, they do know that wildfires can happen at any time in Southern California. Unfortunately, many residents have not taken the most basic steps to protect their families, homes, and neighborhoods from the greatest fire risks. To help, the Orange County Fire Authority offers a free Wildfire Home Assessment with an OCFA representative, who will come to your home and provide tips on how to better protect your home from a wildfire.

Homes survive wildfires because of good preparation, not by fate or luck. During your Wildfire Home Assessment, the outside of your home and property, along with other risk factors, will be evaluated. Then, you’ll be given specific steps you can take to reduce your home’s vulnerability to wildfire. No matter where you live, or how much money you can spend, there are things that you can do right now to help protect your home.

For more information, please visit the OCFA website or call 714-573-6774 to schedule a wildfire home assessment. Additionally, many proven tips to help your home survive a wildfire are available at ocfa.org/ReadySetGo.

Know the ABC's of Water Safety

Keeping yourself and others safe in and around the water is as easy as ABC. Follow the safety tips below to ensure you know how to be water safe!

A is for ACTIVE ADULT SUPERVISION

Keep infants and toddlers within an arm’s reach;
No one should ever swim alone, including adults;
Never rely on water wings, rafts, or other swimming aids in place of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets;
Assign an adult to be a Water Watcher, actively keeping their eyes on the water without any distractions; and
If a child or adult is missing, every second counts! Check the water first!

B is for BARRIERS

Install and maintain proper fencing around the pool and spa to isolate swimming areas;
Use multiple layers of protection, such as fences, gates, doors, alarms, and safety covers;
Use self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward and away from the pool; and
Remove items such as chairs or tables that a child could use to climb over a fence.

C is for CLASSES

Learn to swim by taking lessons;
Learn first aid and CPR. Always keep a phone nearby to call 9-1-1; and
Teach children that running, jumping, and pushing others on pool decks is dangerous and can cause injuries. Always enter the pool feet first to know how deep the water is in that area.

And don't forget drain safety!

Keep children away from pool and spa drains to avoid entrapment and entanglement;
Keep long hair tied back and remove dangling items like jewelry or bathing suit ties;
Install compliant safety drain covers and automatic shut-off pump systems; and
Know where the pool and spa pump switch is and how to turn it off and on.

For more drowning prevention and home safety tips, visit OCFA’s website.

Environmentally-Friendly Tips for Car Maintenance

When it comes to DIY car maintenance, be mindful of the environment! The City encourages mechanics of all skill levels to follow these tips for a green garage:

Whenever possible, take your car to a commercial car wash. Car washes are required to reclaim and reuse rinse water, so they are the more environmentally friendly alternative to home car washes;
If you do choose to wash your car at home, choose soaps, cleaners, or detergents labeled “non-toxic,” “phosphate-free,” and/or “biodegradable.” When finished washing your car, dump wash water onto an absorbent surface like your lawn rather than down a drain;
Use cat litter or another absorbent substance to remove any materials deposited by vehicles such as oil leaks;
Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners and “hose off” engine degreasers at home. They can be used at a commercial facility, which can properly process the wash water;
Perform automobile repair and maintenance under a covered area and use drip pans or plastic sheeting to keep spills and waste material from reaching storm drains; and
Never pour oil or antifreeze in the street, gutter or storm drains. Recycle these substances at a service station, Hazardous Household Waste Collection Center, or used oil recycling center.