Bosque Trail Gets Some Much-Needed Greenery & Shade

by ICNV Staff

The Bosque area in the Great Park features 1.8 miles of decomposed granite pedestrian trails that are 4-6 feet wide, as well as an 11-foot-wide concrete multi-use trail and bike path. These popular trails run along Bosque street, from Magnet (north of Great Park Boulevard) to Irvine Boulevard, linking residents to more than 53 acres of native landscape. The area also includes benches, picnic tables, barbecues, and a kids playground.

The area’s landscape follows the natural cycle of Southern California native habitat. In winter and spring, its abundant growth includes a healthy burst of bird activity, insect life, and flowers in bloom. During the dry summer months, plant growth slows, plants go to seed, and a brown and tan mosaic takes over the landscape to conserve natural resources until fall.

To enhance year-round trail aesthetics and provide much-needed shade, the City recently planted 86 trees and 6,000 shrubs along the Bosque Trail between Cadence and Benchmark.

The trees are part of Mayor Larry Agran’s Urban Forest Master Plan, which includes planting tens of thousands of new trees throughout the City to help decrease Irvine’s carbon footprint, reduce storm water runoff, increase biodiversity, address the urban heat island effect, cool the City, and clean the air.

Additional improvements to the Bosque area — scheduled to be completed later this year — include a community playground, pickleball courts, and greater connectivity among the trails.