The city of Fountain Valley will have about 14 more acres for recreational programming at Mile Square Regional Park as part of its newly updated 50-year lease agreement with the County of Orange.

The expanded lease agreement recently approved by the OC Board of Supervisors brings the city’s park space use to about 92 acres, which start along Brookhurst Street. The additional acreage being added to the Fountain Valley Recreation Center & Sports Park will come in about 18 to 24 months once the county completes its project converting one of the golf courses at Mile Square Park to recreational space and the city updates its city parks master plan, according to the agreement.

Fountain Valley’s Community Services Director Rob Frizzelle highlighted the community’s need for expanded recreational services and programs.

“The opportunity to expand our sports park through this proposed lease extension provides the city the ability to progress and evolve with current and future recreational needs,” Frizzelle said. “We have frequently heard from our residents the need for independent active recreational needs such as dog parks, expansion of the fitness trails, more pickleball — there is always a need for more pickleball — as well as reservable event venues and sports fields.”

The lease extension will allow current and future generations of community members to enjoy the city’s recreation center, playgrounds, sports fields and more, Frizzelle added. the park already features a recreation center, courts for basketball, pickleball and tennis, three soccer fields and more than a dozen softball and baseball fields. The additional park space will extend from the ball fields that jut furthest into Mile Square Park.

“This park is very utilized throughout the year, whether it’s the county side or the city side,” First District Supervisor Janet Nguyen said. “It’s a great collaboration between the county and the city of Fountain Valley. I know that this has also been an ongoing negotiation for quite some time … but I’m glad that within a few months, we were able to move forward.”

Fountain Valley Mayor Ted Bui said he is happy not only about the lease renewal, but also about the additional land.

“That means there’s a lot more green space, a lot more activities that our residents and surrounding cities will be able to enjoy,” Bui said. “That also means that we are able to continue providing the great service that we have been providing over the years.”

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