Lake Forest reports $55 million CIP program; Heroes Park renovation wins ASCE recognition

Assistant Director of Public Works Nazma McCarron told the Traffic and Parking Commission that the city’s capital improvement program currently includes 60 projects totaling about $55 million and highlighted recent completions and near‑term construction activity.

McCarron said 17 projects have been completed since June 2025 — representing roughly $10.5 million of investment — and cited the Heroes Park field renovations as a major, recently finished project that included new turf, LED field lighting and irrigation upgrades. The Heroes Park work was nominated for a countywide engineering award and was presented in the mayor’s minute as an example of community impact. "Heroes Park is more than just a park. It's where our community comes together and where young athletes grow," McCarron said.

She outlined active work and near‑term procurement: 12 projects are in construction (including El Toro Road corridor improvements that began April 20), projects are in procurement and submittal stages (audible pedestrian signals, HVAC replacements, sports‑field lighting), and several projects are being prepared for advertisement within three months. McCarron also described design work for arterial enhancements, drainage repairs and park trail connections.

Commissioners thanked staff for the detailed update and raised a concern about a citywide fiber‑optic contractor who has left temporary trench backfill in some neighborhoods; staff said permits are being held for areas where restoration is incomplete. Vice Chair Patel also used the comments time to promote upcoming city events and noted the Orange County Sheriff’s dedicated bike patrol for e‑bike related community outreach.

McCarron concluded by summarizing the program counts (completed, in construction, in pre‑design and design) and said staff will return with project updates as procurement and construction milestones occur.