Irvine celebrates completion of Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park

5/25/2004

Dedication ceremonies, families activities, hot dogs and an evening lounge chair movie are some of the exciting features in store for community members who attend the City of Irvine Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park Phase II Grand Opening Celebration. This festive event takes place Saturday, June 12, beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Those who participate in the evening portion of the event will have the chance to help the City establish a Guinness World Record for the highest attendance at an outdoor movie. 

Scheduled activities include:

• 9:30 am - Continental breakfast
• 10 am  - Grand opening and dedication ceremonies featuring the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Brass Quintet from Miramar, California, and bagpiper Richard Cook
• 11 am to noon - Ribbon cutting at children’s play area, free play, face painting, Hawaiian shaved ice
• 6 to 7:30 pm - Family activities including scavenger hunt, crafts and games
• 7 pm - Hot dog barbecue and musical performance by Cadillac Sunday
• 8:10 pm - Lounge Chair Theater and snack bar – Help establish a Guinness World Record!

All activities are free of charge except low cost food items. 

The event will also feature a preview of the park’s newest amenities, which include:

• Veterans Memorial
• Outdoor amphitheater
• Formal and informal gardens
• Covered picnic shelters
• Accessible playground and tot lot
• Open play area
• Tennis complex, including champion tennis court with stadium seating

The 42-acre park is dedicated to Irvine resident Colonel Bill Barber, a Medal of Honor recipient, who served with great distinction in both military and civilian life.  Born on November 30, 1919, Barber recently passed away in 2002.  Along with Barber, the park also honors the long collaborative relationship between Irvine and the United States Marine Corps.

Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park is located at 4 Civic Center Plaza adjacent to the Irvine Civic Center at Alton and Harvard.  For more information, please contact the Community Services Department at (949) 724-6714.