TO: Chair and Members of the Park Planning & Community Events Commission
THRU: Leslie Hardy, Community and Library Services Director
FROM: ???Emily Bustamante, Community Services Assistant Director
1. SUBJECT
title
??Recommendation for Celebration in the Park ?on July 3, 2026 in Connection with the USA250 Initiative
body
2. SUMMARY
??Recommendation regarding the proposed USA 250 - Celebration in the Park at Hart Park, a free family-friendly celebration that activates existing park amenities and collaborates with local-nonprofit organizations to assist with implementation on select components.?
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
Recommend the proposed event for City Council consideration.
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4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 3.7 Continue to offer high quality and efficient, city led recreation programs.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
In preparation for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, also known as the Semiquincentennial (USA250), the City Council directed staff in March 2025 to collaborate with the Park Planning and Community Events Commission (Commission) to develop a plan to commemorate this milestone in the City of Orange. At its May 2025 meeting, the Commission established a Semiquincentennial Subcommittee consisting of Chair Kushon, Commissioner Freeman, and Commissioner Litwin. The Subcommittee adopted a decentralized approach that encourages community partners, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses to incorporate the USA250 theme into their existing programming. To support this effort, information about the initiative, along with a calendar of related events occurring throughout the Orange community, has been made available on the City's website. Commission input was discussed at the September 2025 meeting, and subsequent updates have been provided on an ongoing basis.
At the October 2025 Commission meeting, the Commission provided feedback on a re-imagined Ju...
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