August 08, 2025 Edition
COUNCILMEMBER CARROLL: OUR FOCUS IS LOCAL GOVERNANCE
I’m pleased to share my recent Op-Ed in the OC Register about the importance of local governance and working together for the benefit of our community. Our role is to focus on local matters and community safety, not political lawsuits. While some cities have pushed to join a federal case against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I wrote about how Irvine’s partnership with law enforcement and ICE has historically targeted threats such as human trafficking, gambling operations, and scams that prey on seniors. These efforts have helped Irvine remain one of the safest cities in America, year after year, by prioritizing law enforcement that protects residents and strengthens community trust. To read the article, see more.
GREAT PARK CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN UPDATES
Major projects are underway in the Great Park, with new features in design. The Cultural Terrace Phase II and Heart of the Park are under construction including the excavation, fill, remedial grading, stockpiling of excess soil, relocation of existing stockpile, and removal of fencing. The Great Park soccer fields 4–7 will have completed improvements this month, with synthetic turf, decomposed granite viewing areas, and landscaping. In June, the upgrades to the softball warm-up areas were completed, which saw the removal of existing shrubs, modifications to storm drain, and grading of soil to match proposed elevations. To read the complete August Great Park project updates, see more.
COUNCILMEMBER CARROLL INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ANIMAL SHELTER FUNDRAISER
The Irvine Animal Care Center’s annual Photo Fundraiser is back, giving you a chance to showcase your pet while supporting animals in need. From August 1–31, residents can submit pet photos online for $25 per entry and invite friends to vote for their pet, a donation of $1 per vote. Photos with at least five votes will appear in the shelter’s 2026 wall calendar, with the top 13 entries earning a full-page feature. Each participant receives a complimentary calendar, and proceeds support life-saving programs like Enhanced Care, Foster Care, and Third Chance for Pets. For details about the Photo Fundraiser, see more.
IRVINE'S URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN
Irvine has set an ambitious goal to increase city-wide tree canopy cover from today’s 21.9% to 30% within 30 years. Achieving this vision will require planting approximately 67,500 new trees across public and private property, with about 1,900 planted each year. This would bring the tree count in Irvine to nearly 600,000, that's two trees per resident! Planned efforts include 19,000 new trees along streets and parks, 20,000 within the Great Park, and additional planting in areas like Quail Hill and other open spaces. The Urban Forest Master Plan includes collaboration with landowners and community members, ensuring long-term investment in tree health and shade throughout our communities. To read the Urban Forest Master Plan, see more.
SPLASH-IN MOVIE & RECREATION SWIM
Join us for a night of family fun at the annual Splash-In Movie & Recreation Swim on Saturday, August 23, at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center, 4601 Walnut Avenue. The evening features a screening of Shrek (PG) on a large outdoor screen in the shallow pool, with the pool opening at 6:30 p.m. and the movie beginning at 7:15 p.m. Families can enjoy diving boards, a small water slide, and an in-water obstacle course, with lifeguards on duty. Children ages six and under must be accompanied one-on-one by an adult in the water. Admission is $2.50 per child and $5.00 per adult, payable at the entrance. For event details, see more.
Thank you for reading this edition of my Community Update. I hope you enjoyed it.
Mike Carroll