There’s a lot here in Laguna Hills, packed inside 6.6-square-miles of city limits. Lots of history.
And, lots of vitality.
The history goes back, way back.
Consider the one-acre Fossil Reef Park, dedicated in 1982.
What’s a fossil reef?
Good question.
First uncovered by development in the early 1970s, it’s a large limestone formation containing shells that shed light on a darkened ocean floor as it may have existed millions of years ago. Most fossils are of large scallops, clams, and snails, reminiscent of a tropical environment.
The Orange County Historical Commission dedicated the park in 1982.
More recent history harkens to the days of the Spanish land grants.
A fellow named Don Juan Avila, one of those who had served the Mexican government well during its bid for independence from Spain, was rewarded with 13,000 acres called Rancho Niguel, where present-day Laguna Hills is located.
Lewis Moulton purchased the grant from Avila in 1874, increasing it to 22,000 acres. Moulton and Jean Piedra Daguerre originally raised sheep and cattle, but the Moulton Ranch was eventually subdivided in the early 1960s and a portion is recognized as Laguna Hills.
Efforts to incorporate began in the late ’80s, and in 1991, residents finally approved the measure. Laguna Hills officially became a city on Dec. 20, 1991.
Critters, from peacocks to alpacas, and of course, horses, are said to abound on Nellie Gail Ranch estates dotting the hills of the southern section of town.
There are condos and apartments in the Via Lomas development, not far from an 18-acre community center under construction at Alicia Parkway and Paseo de Valencia.
Once complete, city leaders envision the center will give the 34,017 residents a place to gather and play on its two soccer fields, two baseball/softball diamonds, in the roller-hockey rink or skate park.
<!–Anyone westbound on Alicia Parkway is greeted with an American flagmeasuring 20 by 30 feetat David J. Phillips Buick, Mazda and Pontiac. The only car dealershipintown is aninstitution, having spent years helping area schools raise money throughpancake breakfastsand other activities.
—>The Laguna Hills Mall reflects the shopping needs of young families and the older retirement community of Leisure World-Laguna Woods that sits on its border.
It’s packed with vitality because you really can’t get away with just sitting around in Laguna Hills.
The city’s “Get Fit” program launched in 2005 aims to encourage residents to remain healthy.
In Laguna Hills, you can attend healthy cooking classes. City-sponsored daycare and teen dances feature healthy snacks. Live in Laguna Hills, and you’ll be recruited to attend hiking, walking or dance classes.
Oh, and in Laguna Hills, it’s illegal to step, stand, sit or lie on the median islands of city roadways, meaning you can’t use the dividers to solicit drivers.