SANTA ANA — A public art sculpture will be unveiled at a new Flower Street bike and walking trail on Saturday, July 11, at 10 a.m., marking the trail entry into the City of Santa Ana from the City of Costa Mesa trail on the northeast corner of Flower and Sunflower streets.
The new trail takes bikers, runners, and walkers one mile north on Flower Street to Alton Street, which connects to the Santa Ana River Trail system.
Designed by artist Richard Turner, the sculpture was chosen through a competitive art selection process managed for the city by Arts Orange County. His concept was commissioned by the City of Santa Ana because it creatively shows the contributions of the Japanese American farmers in the region and adds to the richness its diverse cultural heritage.
Turner’s vision showcases a signature crop that was commonly grown in this area by Japanese American farmers. The design also symbolizes the beauty and simple style of Japanese gardens.
The public is welcome to join the City Council, neighborhood leaders, the artist community, representatives from Japanese American families from the region, the Arts and Culture Commission, and the Board of Recreation and Parks at the unveiling of this $80,000 art project. Turner will be in attendance.
The project was funded by a Recreational Trails and Transportation Enhancement Activity grant the city obtained to build the one-mile dedicated bike trail on Flower Street.
“This is a great project for the community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Vince Sarmiento. “Adding one mile to our bike trail system and a beautiful public art sculpture that reminds all of us of the rich legacy of the Japanese American farming community that contributed so much to this special area of our city.”
For more information, contact Rudy Hernandez at (714) 836-3584 or RHernandez5@santa-ana.org or go to www.santa-ana.org/parks/documents/11july15.pdf.