Success Story Saving Laguna Greenbelt and Laguna Canyon
Laguna bookstore owner Jim Dilley had a dream of creating an open space greenbelt surrounding Laguna Beach, similar to the greenbelt open space preserves he had admired in England. He inspired many other Lagunans, and they joined together in 1968 as Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. to promote this concept. Key land parcels were acquired by the City, County and State as a result of the Laguna Greenbelt’s efforts.
However, in 1989 the Irvine Company proposed to develop Laguna Laurel, 2100 acres along Laguna Canyon Road in the center of the Greenbelt.
With this level of support for an open space preserve, the Irvine Company negotiated a sale. In 1990 Laguna Beach voters passed a $20 million bond issue to pay a share of the acquisition cost. The County of Orange, and the State of California also contributed. Finally in 2002, the Irvine Company dedicated the remaining acreage.
The Greenbelt is a dream made reality by persistent community involvement, public agency support, and landowner cooperation.
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