Home to a rustic water tower and dozens of 100-year-old sycamore trees, Irvine’s well-known Cattle Camp inside Bommer Canyon Preserve, has recently received a $4 million upgrade.  Now, after more than two years of construction, and challenges caused during the pandemic, the $4.2 million renovation project is open for the public to enjoy.

Stacy DeLong, Project Manager for the Cattle Camp Renovation Project, spoke to Irvine Weekly about what the new upgrades bring to the historic area.

“We started construction in March 2021 and we wrapped up construction on May 31, 2023” he said. “The site is located in Bommer Canyon which is an open space preserve, so it’s a very isolated location, we had to bring in some utilities. We constructed four buildings out there, those consist of a stage, a fully accessible restroom facility, a catering kitchen and a trash enclosure.” 

Despite the project’s success, DeLong explained that many challenges arose, due to the fact that the rehabilitation project coincided with the difficulties of the pandemic. Referencing material shortages and supply chain issues, DeLong said 

“We did have a lot of challenges working during the tail end of the pandemic. We had supply chain issues and labor issues,” he said. “The area itself was indeed closed off for two-and-a-half years while we’re building, but residents still had access to the trail system.”

DeLong added that the rehabilitation project required the demolition of the existing buildings, in order to build fully ADA-compliant structures. 

“Because it is such an isolated location, we made sure we were constructing things that were fully accessible to people of all abilities. So we have a meandering pathways, decorative hardscape — to make sure anyone of any ability can come out there to enjoy that area.” 

Over the years, the three-acre Cattle Camp, which is part of Bommer Canyon’s 15-acre footprint, has become a popular destination for weddings and other formal events in Irvine. The area is considered historic, as land within the Cattle Camp once served as a rest area for ranch hands working on the Irvine Ranch. 

Prior to the rehabilitation project, which was approved in 2018, DeLong said that despite its popularity, the area was much less welcoming.  

“Before, there were a few rustic, trailer type buildings – there weren’t flushable toilets or anything like that, there were very rudimentary types of buildings,” he said. “What we wanted to do was provide an upgraded facility that had restroom facilities, somewhere where people could get married or business could have picnics.” 

Cattle Camp is located approximately one mile inside the Bommer Canyon Preserve. The Bommer Canyon Preserve is located at 11 Bommer Canyon Road.

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