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OC Register: Irvine's new space-themed playground is universal in more ways than one

Irvine, CA (November 14, 2024) - Irvine introduced its first “universal” playground Thursday, Nov. 14, at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park. The wheelchair-accessible play area is designed as an inclusive space for all residents, regardless of ability.

Among its unique features, the outer space-themed playground includes adaptive swings, a sensory garden and Bankshot basketball, which the brand describes as mini golf but with a basketball. The Bankshot court features an array of creatively angled backboards of various shapes and sizes.

Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris Celebrates Opening of Irvine's First Universal Playground

Irvine, CA  - The City of Irvine furthered its commitment to inclusion with the opening of its first universal playground today at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park.

Local leaders and community members were joined by members of the Irvine Eagles Special Olympics Basketball Team, which provided a demonstration of the adaptive basketball court, at a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate this long-awaited, accessible play space that meets the needs of all residents regardless of ability.

Daily Pilot: Petrie-Norris hosts Veterans of the Year ceremony

Irvine, CA (November 1, 2024) - Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) on Friday hosted the sixth annual Veterans of the Year ceremony at Irvine Valley College to recognize three veterans living in the 73rd Assembly District.

The honorees, Victor Bakkila, Martha McDonald and Michael Carter, were selected for the honor not only for their military service but their contributions to fellow veterans and the community.

Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris Announces 12 Bills Signed Into Law During 2024 Session

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris is proud to announce that 12 of the bills she authored this session were signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. These bills focus on some of her key priority issues including keeping our communities safe from gun violence, expediting green-energy development, lowering energy costs and strengthening the reliability of our electricity grid.

The bills passed include:

Volunteers Take Action Against Hunger During Hunger Action Month

Irvine, CA  Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County hosted Hunger Action Month volunteer events at the Second Harvest Distribution Center and Harvest Solutions Farm in Irvine.

Daily Pilot: Old Costa Mesa fire training tower to be extinguished, new one's going up soon

Costa Mesa, CA (September 6, 2024) - City and state leaders joined the Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue team Friday morning for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new training tower facility located at Fire Station No. 4.

The new building was made possible with $3.5 million in city capital improvement funds and $2.5 million of state budget funding, according to city officials. The 57-year-old existing tower will be demolished to make way for the project.