About Save Irvine Open Space

Save Irvine Open Space is a community-based advocacy group committed to protecting Irvine’s remaining natural lands from overdevelopment. Our mission is to preserve the city’s open spaces, parks, canyons, golf courses, and trail systems so that future generations can enjoy the beauty, health, and quality of life they provide.

We believe in thoughtful, transparent planning that honors the values of the residents who chose Irvine for its natural beauty and livability. We work through public education, community engagement, and civic action to ensure our voices are heard in land-use decisions.

Legal Status

Full Legal Name:
Save Irvine Open Space

Tax Status:
Save Irvine Open Space is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.

Please note: Contributions to Save Irvine Open Space are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

Contact Information

Mailing Address:
PO BOX 29 E. Irvine, CA 92650

Email:
save@saveirvineopenspace.com

Get Involved

We are powered by Irvine residents like you—people who care about green space, community health, and responsible development. Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the area, there’s a role for you in the movement to preserve what makes Irvine special.

Together, we can ensure Irvine remains green, open, and thriving for generations to come.

Here’s what Irvine residents are saying about this movement.

Protect Irvine’s Future: Stop the redevelopment of Oak Creek Open Space

SaveIrvineOpenSpace.com – A Grassroots Movement for a Greener Irvine

SaveIrvineOpenSpace.com is a community-led initiative committed to protecting Irvine's open spaces, natural landscapes, and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Why Irvine's Vision Matters

Irvine was built on a thoughtful plan — one that balances urban development with parks, trails, wildlife corridors, and peaceful residential communities. This unique planning approach created one of California’s most livable cities.

Many of us moved here to escape the congestion, noise, and density of larger cities — looking for a cleaner, quieter place to raise our children and enjoy nature. Irvine’s vision was — and should remain — a city that prioritizes green space, safety, and quality of life.

Oak Creek Open Space Is Under Threat

Oak Creek Open Space, one of the few remaining open spaces in central Irvine, is now facing the threat of demolition. A proposed housing development could erase this cherished public Preservation Area from the City of Irvine’s Open Space Plan.

This land is not just a golf course — it’s a critical environmental asset, a local wildlife habitat, and a peaceful recreational space.

The 1988 Promise

In 1988, The Irvine Company (TIC) made a public commitment to permanently preserve this land as open space. Oak Creek Golf Course opened in 1996, becoming a vital part of Irvine’s greenbelt and recreational offerings.

Now, that promise is being reversed. TIC is proposing to build 3,100 housing units on the property — ignoring decades of community trust and environmental intent.

What’s at Stake for Irvine

Loss of Wildlife and Natural Beauty

Oak Creek is a rare sanctuary for urban wildlife and local biodiversity. Paving over it would destroy habitat, reduce native species, and permanently alter Irvine’s natural landscape.

Broken Promises and Political Disregard

The 1988 commitment is being pushed aside in favor of developer profits. This proposal represents a betrayal of public trust — undermining the long-term planning that makes Irvine unique.

If Oak Creek is lost, what's next? This could set a dangerous precedent for development on other preserved lands like Bommer Canyon, Quail Hill, or Shady Canyon.

Unaffordable, Luxury Housing

These proposed homes will not address Irvine’s affordable housing needs. With median family incomes already exceeding $130,000, these new units will mostly serve wealthy buyers — deepening inequality and limiting access for middle- and working-class families.

Community Disruption and Traffic Congestion

The impact on Woodbridge Village and surrounding neighborhoods would be severe. Local streets are not designed to handle thousands of new residents and vehicles. Increased traffic, noise, and pollution will dramatically reduce the quality of life for current residents.

Preserve Irvine’s Open Space — Protect the City’s Future

As development pressures rise, many Irvine residents are concerned that decisions made by local officials no longer reflect the community-first vision that once guided the city’s growth.

Unplanned development puts schools, infrastructure, roadways, and the environment at risk — and threatens the very features that make Irvine such a desirable place to live.

Mission: A Sustainable, People-First Irvine

We believe in smart, balanced growth — development that:

  • Protects open space

  • Honors community values

  • Supports family life

  • Respects Irvine’s environmental legacy

Our goal is to give residents a voice in the city’s future — and to defend what makes Irvine one of the most livable cities in America.

How You Can Help

Together, we can:

  • Oppose the development of Oak Creek Golf Course

  • Preserve the promise made in 1988

  • Protect wildlife, green space, and community peace

  • Hold The Irvine Company and the City Council accountable

We must act now to preserve Irvine’s identity — not just for us, but for our children and future generations.

Make Your Voice Heard. Join the Movement.

Visit SaveIrvineOpenSpace.com to learn more, volunteer, or sign up for updates.

By Katherine Daigle, Irvine resident
Associate Editor & Writer, Capitol Times Magazine & Christian Times Magazine

Irvine's open spaces are vital. We must protect them from unnecessary development for future generations.

John

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

Let's preserve our city's open space and stick to our master plan!

M.

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

I’m supporting this effort because our kids deserve to grow up surrounded by nature, not more high-density housing.

Nina, University Park

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

Please conserve open space and DO NOT build on Oak Creek Golf club.

J.

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

We moved to Irvine because of its parks, trails, and peaceful environment. Losing that to more concrete and traffic would be heartbreaking.

Alyssa W., Woodbridge resident

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

KEEP golf course!!’

B.

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

I am shocked this amount of development is being considered in this highly congested area.

M.

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

Oak Creek Golf Course isn’t just open space — it’s part of Irvine’s identity. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

Ken, longtime homeowner

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

I’m thankful for those are willing to help save Irvine open space and stop the unrelenting destruction of open space and our community.

L.

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

John

It is ridiculous that Irvine is transforming from a perfectly planned city into a place facing big city problems, such as traffic congestion and the loss of open space for additional buildings and cars, without the benefits typically associated with a large city.

Y.

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

John

This movement gives residents a voice. It’s about holding developers accountable and standing up for what we were promised.

Carlos R., Portola Springs

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

John

Horrendous over development in Irvine destroying the feel and safety of this once amazing community, all based on greed and shortsightedness.

C.

A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.
A lush, green golf course stretches across the landscape with several people gathered near the edge of one of the fairways. The scene is surrounded by gentle hills and dense clusters of trees under a clear sky.

★★★★★

John

★★★★★

YOUR VOICE MATTERS
Share your message with us!
Selected messages may be published on the website.

My family and I are residents of The Ranch in Irvine and we are greatly opposed to the demolition of Oak Creek golf course. 3100 new homes could potentially mean about 8,000+ more residents and 6000 + more cars. We moved to Irvine 15 years for its family-centered lifestyle and beautiful nature. This seems like another cash cow for the greedy Irvine Company machine. Have you not seen the quarter mile of dead stopped traffic on Irvine Center Lane at 5PM? What's going to happen when you add 6,000 + more cars? Also, who can possibly afford these homes? Foreign money, right? Affordable housing is an absolute joke as well. Irvine has gone downhill as they keep shipping in low income people. I'm a school teacher for Irvine Unified and have seen a steady decline in the quality of life here in Irvine and I blame "affordable housing" and greedy companies like Irvine Company. By the way, a large group of us went to City Hall and signed up to speak to the board. The Mayor only gave us 30 minutes and the majority of us didn't even get to speak! Keep Irvine green, safe, and family-centered.

Andrew

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