News from the City of Aliso Viejo

Second phase of Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project begins Aug. 1

Work is expected to begin Aug. 1 on the second phase of the Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project.

The Town Center Loop Trail, which essentially loops around Aliso Viejo Town Center, provides the community with another recreational component that promotes health and well being along with supporting the city’s goals for a sustainable and “walkable” community. The trail is designed to provide pedestrians with a safer walking path and amenities to encourage pedestrians to complete the roughly 3-mile/5K walk.

The first phase of the project, which was completed in 2009, consisted of new signage, enhanced hardscaping and pedestrian crosswalks along Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road between Enterprise and Pacific Park Drive and along Enterprise between Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road. Phase 2, which is about 1.2 miles, will complete all enhanced corner hardscape, distance markers, monuments and crosswalks for the trail.  The project extends from the intersection of Aliso Viejo Parkway and Pacific Park Drive south along Aliso Viejo Parkway to the intersection of Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road and then north along Aliso Creek Road to the intersection of Aliso Creek Road and Pacific Park Drive. In future phases, the city plans to add amenities such as seating, trash receptacles, public art, lighting and landscape enhancements.

Construction is expected to be completed at the end of September. Most of the work along Aliso Creek Road and Aliso Viejo Parkway will take place on the sidewalk and across business driveways with little impact to traffic. Alternate business access may be required at times and signs will be posted as necessary to facilitate any detour.  Concrete paver crosswalks will be installed across Pacific Park Drive at both Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road.  The work will be completed in three phases in August and will require lane closures on Pacific Park Drive. Traffic delays through the construction area are expected and alternate routes are recommended.

For more information, call the Public Works Department at 949-425-2530. A map of the project is available at http://cityofalisoviejo.com.

National Night Out Aug. 9

The public is invited to attend a National Night Out event, “Celebrate National Night Out for Safety,” on Aug. 9 at the Aliso Viejo Target Center.

The family event – hosted by Aliso Viejo Police Services, Laguna Hills Police Services and Target – is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the shopping center at 26932 La Paz Road.

National Night Out will feature free child fingerprint kits; child safety games; Sheriff’s Department Search & Rescue Bloodhounds and a patrol vehicle; an Orange County Fire Authority Station 57 fire truck; and Aliso Viejo Family Resource Center referral services. It will also boast family safety, crime prevention and emergency preparedness booths, along with free raffles and prizes. Child face-painting and free food will be available during the event.

National Night Out is a nationwide community-building campaign designed to generate participation in local safety and anti-crime programs and to strengthen police-community partnerships.

For more information, contact Aliso Viejo Crime Prevention Specialist Margo Beauchamp at 949-425-2563.