TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Leslie Hardy, Community and Library Services Director
1. SUBJECT
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Recommendation for Celebration in the Park ?on July 3, 2026, in connection with the USA250 initiative.
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2. SUMMARY
Recommendation regarding the proposed USA250 - 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
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Approve the proposed USA250 - Celebration in the Park at Hart Park on July 3, 2026 as recommended by the Park Planning and Community Events Commission.
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4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 3: Enhance Public Communication Strategy and Quality of Life
Objective 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.
In May 2025, the Commission established a USA250 Subcommittee which 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. Other planned activities include the donation of a Liberty Tree to the City from the Sons of the American Revolution, a community art exhibit at the Sports Center at Grijalva Park, a USA250 themed City utility box a...
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