A Message from the City Manager

Welcome to the April edition of Yorba Linda Connection. As spring is now in full bloom, we are excited to share with you the latest updates and happenings in our exciting community. From upcoming events to important news and updates, we hope you'll find this e-newsletter informative and engaging.

As always, we remain committed to providing our residents with exceptional services, facilities, and programs that enhance your local quality of life. In that light, we are thrilled to announce that Adventure Playground is anticipated to reopen this month! Following a $7 million renovation project that has been in the works for several years, Adventure Playground will open its doors to year-round public use, exciting summer day camps, and opportunities for creative play. We can't wait for you to experience the incredible transformation of this facility.

Finally, I'd like to remind our residents of the importance of staying informed and engaged in our community. I encourage you to follow us on social media, and sign up for our various e-newsletters to stay up-to-date on the latest news and events in Yorba Linda. Also, mark your calendars for our community events! Our Library and Parks and Recreation Department host incredible events all year long and are great opportunities to enjoy life in Yorba Linda. Also, don't forget to sign up for this year's Love Yorba Linda Day of service!

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you around town this spring!

Best Regards,

Mark Pulone

City Manager

Our 39th Annual Egg-Citement Hunt is This Saturday!

April 8 | 10 a.m. | Hurless Barton Park

This Saturday, we're hosting our 39^th annual Egg-Citement Hunt! Kids ages 2-9 and their families are invited to join us at Hurless Barton Park on April 8 at 10 a.m. for a morning of crafts, games, face painting, a petting zoo, age-specific hunt zones, and a special visit from the bunny! There will be plenty of plastic eggs stuffed with candy and prizes to be found, so bring a basket to collect all your goodies. This is a free event, so you do not need to pre-register, but please arrive early as the egg hunt will begin right at 10:00 a.m. sharp! For more information, call the Yorba Linda Community Center at 714-961-7181.

Help Us Find Unsung Heroes

All year, we are focusing on honoring Yorba Linda’s unsung hometown heroes – the people who live up to our community’s highest ideals of service and engagement – but we need your help! Please tell us if you know someone who deserves to be highlighted. Email us a brief description of the community member and their worthy deeds. Selected individuals will be honored at a council meeting, and we will share their stories on our social media channels. Thank you!

Adventure Playground is Reopening This Month!

The reopening of Adventure Playground for year-round use and summer camp programs is coming later this month! Soon, the community will be invited to experience the excitement of Adventure Playground with its new and upgraded amenities, including an upgraded waterslide, splash pad, wiffleball field, zipline, and a three-tower playground structure. We're putting the finishing touches on this amazing facility, and can't wait to reopen. For more information, including hours of operation and operating guidelines of Adventure Playground, visit the City's website. Stay tuned for a reopening-day announcement on our social media accounts!

Finally, please note that reservations for Adventure Playground Summer Camps will begin (for residents only) on Wednesday, April 19, at 10:00 a.m. These camps will fill up quickly, so mark your calendar now! To register, visit www.YLRecOnline.com.

Bastanchury Road Widening Update

The Bastanchury Road Widening Project between Casa Loma and Eureka avenues is now underway. The contractor has mobilized to the site, installed traffic control measures, and performed most of the pre-construction activity necessary for the major work to begin. However, the frequent rains over the last month have impacted the ability of the contractor to make substantial progress and created saturated soil conditions that need to be addressed. In the coming weeks, the focus will be on addressing the saturated soil so the project can continue. Stay tuned for more updates on our website, social media, and this e-newsletter.

Save the Date to Register for Summer Recreation

Browse the Summer 2023 issue of The Guide online now! Featuring popular programs like Summer Aquatics and the highly anticipated Adventure Playground Summer Day Camp, now is the time to make your family's activity wish list! The Guide will also be delivered to residents' homes and available for pick-up at recreation facilities. Mark your calendar for the following Summer 2023 registration dates:

Yorba Linda Residents

Adventure Playground Summer Camp

Wednesday, April 19, 10:00 a.m.

Summer Camps, Swim Lessons, and Classes

Wednesday, May 3, 10:00 a.m.

Non-Residents

Adventure Playground Summer Camp, Summer Camps, Swim Lessons, and Classes

Wednesday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Get a head start on the registration process by creating or updating your account at www.YLRecOnline.com.

Recycle Your E-Waste Next Weekend!

April 15-16 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | City Hall

Want to recycle that old computer or TV collecting dust in your garage? The Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce is hosting an e-waste recycling and document shredding event at Yorba Linda City Hall next weekend, April 15-16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shredding will be available only on April 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. This event is free to all Yorba Linda businesses and residents. For more information about the kinds of e-waste items that can be accepted, please visit the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce's website.

Love Yorba Linda Day Returns!

April 29 | 8 a.m. - noon | Meet at Hurless Barton Park

We’re excited to announce that Love Yorba Linda, an exciting day of community-wide service, is returning on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Volunteers can make a difference in their community by participating in various beautification projects throughout the City. So let’s show our community pride by making this the biggest year yet! Learn more about this special day by visiting the Love Yorba Linda website at www.loveyorbalinda.org. Be sure to put April 29 on your calendar, and stay tuned for more updates!

Library Celebrating Local Writers

April 29 | 2-4 p.m. | Yorba Linda Public Library

The Library is celebrating local writing talent on Saturday, April 29 from 2 - 4 p.m. with Read Locally: Local Author Festival. Enjoy a meet and greet with local authors representing a variety of genres and enjoy short readings. There will be an opportunity for purchasing titles and author signings. For additional information about the event, please visit the Library's Read Locally website. 

Annual Pavement Preservation Project Starting Soon for Zones 5 & 6b

The Annual Pavement Preservation Project is back for another year of important work in maintaining Yorba Linda's streets to our exceptional standards. Construction for the Fiscal Year 22/23 project is anticipated to start in late April and will focus on Zone 5 and the portions of Zone 6 that were deferred from last year’s project (view the project map). Due to the ongoing construction activity from the Cielo Vista Project, the Stonehaven neighborhood will be deferred and included in next year’s project.

Due to the larger scope of this year’s project, completion is not anticipated until January 2024. Door hangers with additional information will be distributed to help minimize construction impacts on the public. During construction, be prepared for delays or to take alternate routes, watch for traffic or lane changes, proceed slowly, and be alert to workers and equipment in the roadway.

Retail Enhancement Program Helps Local Businesses Shine Bright!

We always want to help local businesses achieve their best! The City of Yorba Linda's Retail Enhancement Program encourages owners of retail businesses, shopping centers, or business associations within a retail district to improve the City's retail environment. The program allows eligible applicants to apply for a grant of up to $2,500 to enhance, attract, and encourage business patronage. The award can be potentially used to improve building facades or storefronts, monument signage, lighting, landscape improvements, and more. Please visit the City's website to learn more about the program and apply.

Weed Abatement Protects Yorba Linda!

The 2020 Blue Ridge Fire was an important reminder of why we must all take fire safety seriously: our proximity to natural open spaces makes our neighborhoods beautiful but susceptible to dangerous wildfires. The City’s annual weed abatement program exists to keep the City fire-safe by ensuring that yards and larger land parcels are cleared of combustible weeds and debris. It’s that time of year again for residents to prioritize weed abatement.

To comply with California Government Code and City Municipal Code, the City issued notices in March to homeowners where potential fire hazard conditions may exist. Those who received the notice are required to clear (abate) their property of all combustible vegetation, including dead leaves, weeds, brush, and tree limbs, as well as excess trash, wood, and other combustibles, by May 25, 2023. The Orange County Fire Authority also assesses properties for fire risk and issues notices as needed.

Please keep in mind that weed abatement season is year-round in Southern California. Every property owner is responsible for maintaining their property in a “fire-safe” condition to protect themselves, their neighbors, and the whole community. For additional information about the City’s weed abatement program, please contact the Community Preservation Division at 714-961-7138.

Open House Security Tips

Yorba Linda Police Services has recognized a recent string of open house-related thefts targeting our community, affecting agents and homeowners alike. The victims discovered valuables missing after their open house events concluded, and valuable property such as a laptop, purse, and several fine jewelry pieces were stolen. If you are hosting an open house, please consider the following tips before, during, and after the event to help safeguard your property:

Before:

• Be mindful of the home images shared online;
• Ensure your surveillance system is working;
• Remove valuables and sensitive items such as jewelry, collectibles, electronics, prescription medication, cash, mail, credit cards, and personal or business documents;
• Beware of photographs or documents on display that might reveal too much about your identity or lifestyle; and
• Secure all access keys and entry remotes, as they can be an invitation to a thief to return undetected at a later time.

During:

• Ensure additional staff are available to assist with larger floor plans or multi-level homes;
• Consider requiring visitors to sign in with ID upon entry. Monitor movement and keep track of arrivals, departures, and anyone lingering on site; and
• Agents, beware of distraction techniques.

After:

• Ensure all windows and doors are locked. A thief may unlock a door or window with plans to return at an opportune time; and
• Conduct an inspection to ensure no property is missing.

Remember, you are our eyes and ears on the street! If you See Something, Say Something! For a crime in progress or an emergency, dial 911 immediately. If you notice suspicious behavior or activity, please call our 24-hour non-emergency line at 714-647-7000 and select the option for Sheriff’s Dispatch to request a deputy response.

April is California Earthquake Awareness Month

April is Earthquake Preparedness Month in California! We know that there are many things to be worried about, but when it comes to earthquakes, it is not a matter of if one will occur but when. The Governer's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is encouraging residents to take the time to update their emergency plans and to download the MyShake App. So many things in life may catch us off guard, but now, earthquakes don’t have to!

Also, please visit earthquake.ca.gov to learn more about the latest tools and resources and how to use them. You can also sign up for a regular partner e-newsletter on the website from Cal OES that includes the latest news and information about Earthquake Warning California.

Learn the ABCs of Drowning Prevention

With warm weather just around the corner, it’s important to remember the key elements of water safety. Keeping yourself and others safe in and around the water is as easy as ABC! Follow the safety tips below to help prevent drownings:

A is for ACTIVE ADULT SUPERVISION

• Keep infants and toddlers within arm’s reach;
• No one should ever swim alone, including adults;
• Never rely on water wings, rafts, or other swimming aids in place of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets;
• Assign an adult to be a Water Watcher, actively keeping their eyes on the water without ANY distractions; and
• If a child or adult is missing, every second counts! Check the water FIRST!

B is for BARRIERS

• Install and maintain proper fencing around the pool and spa to isolate swimming areas;
• Use multiple layers of protection, such as fences, gates, doors, alarms, and safety covers;
• Use self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward and away from the pool; and
• Remove items such as chairs or tables that a child could use to climb over a fence.

C is for CLASSES

• Learn to swim by taking lessons;
• Learn first aid and CPR. Always keep a phone nearby to call 9-1-1; and
• Teach children that running, jumping, and pushing others on pool decks is dangerous and can cause injuries. Always enter the pool feet first to know how deep the water is in that area.

Drain Safety

• Keep children away from pool and spa drains to avoid entrapment and entanglement;
• Keep long hair tied back and remove dangling items like jewelry or bathing suit ties;
• Install compliant safety drain covers and automatic shut-off pump systems; and
• Know where the pool and spa pump switch is and how to turn it off and on.

For more safety tips, visit OCFA’s website.

Remember to Safely Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste During Spring Cleaning

It’s spring cleaning time again, so get ready to clean out old items from your closets, sheds, and garages. As you tidy up, you’ll likely come across household hazardous waste items – like old paints, cleaners, oil, batteries, and pesticides – but you may not know how to dispose of them properly.

Hazardous household wastes are leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients. These items require special care when being disposed of, so resist the urge to drop them in your trash or pour them down the drain.

Free hazardous household waste disposal is available through OC Waste and Recycling. The nearest location is 1071 N. Blue Gum Street, Anaheim, CA, 92806. Visit their website for more information, including locations, hours, and a list of accepted items.