Park to reopen in Corona

Corona has announced that it plans to reopen Griffin Park, a 13-acre neighborhood park closed for more than 10 years.

Renovation on the recreational facility near Griffin Way and Brittany Drive is scheduled to begin next spring, and the park is expected to open next July, according to a statement posted on the city’s website.

Corona officials plan to spend $481,596 from the city’s Capital Improvements Project on basic upgrades, including a pathway that complies with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, path lighting, plant hydro-seeding, irrigation repairs, and restoration of the parking lot.

Unfunded improvements include exercise equipment and a small dog park. Corona residents have said they would also like Griffin Park to include a hiking trail, walking track and nature preserve walk.

Total restoration cost is expected to be around $743,000, meaning the project has a budget shortfall of roughly $261,400. 

Griffin Park, one of Corona’s 37 parks, closed 11 years ago after the recession hit and the city could no longer maintain it, said David Montgomery-Scott, the city’s library and recreational services director.

“It was a matter of finding a place to cut costs,” Montgomery-Scott said.”Griffin Park isn’t one of our biggest parks, but it was still a place where we could save money.”