Candidate Close Up 2024: John Park
John Park, a longtime resident of Irvine’s District 1, is running for City Council with a focus on public safety and preserving Irvine’s quality of life. With over 25 years in North Irvine and experience in local leadership, Park feels ready to take on the role of Councilmember.
“I always tell people I’m a typical Irvine dad,” Park said in a recent Zoom interview. “My wife and I raised three children here, all born and raised in Irvine. We’ve lived in the district for 25 years—this is really home for us.”
Park’s strong connection to the community is evident in his time serving on both the Irvine Finance Commission from 2020 to 2022 and the Irvine Transportation Commission, to which he was appointed in June.
“I sat on the Finance Commission for almost three years and was elected chairman toward the end of my term,” he explained. “Most recently, I’ve been serving on the Irvine Transportation Commission, appointed by Mike Carroll.”
Park’s candidacy comes at a time when Irvine is adjusting to its new district-based voting system. Despite this shift, Park emphasizes that his focus extends beyond just District 1.
“One potential pitfall for Councilmembers is treating districts like micro-cities,” Park said. “I’ll be one of seven votes affecting the entire city, not just my district.”
Public Safety
A cornerstone of Park’s platform is public safety, which he believes is crucial to maintaining Irvine’s overall success.
“Public safety is the foundation of a city, and without it, everything else can fall apart,” he said. Park is advocating for continued support and funding for first responders, including police, fire, and emergency medical services. “As we approach 330,000 people, we need to rethink what a large city’s public safety needs are.”
During the interview, Park discussed the need for neighborhood watch programs to become more widespread throughout Irvine. “We lack neighborhood watch programs in some areas, particularly in North Irvine, and we need to encourage the availability of these programs,” he said.
When the interviewer pointed out that HOA involvement in neighborhood watch programs can be limited due to liability concerns, Park acknowledged this challenge. He clarified that his goal is to make sure residents have access to neighborhood watch programs and training independently of HOAs.
“What I mean is that residents within these communities should have access to neighborhood watch programs, not necessarily through the HOA,” he said. After discussing that all Irvine residents currently have access to the Irvine Police Department’s (IPD’s) neighborhood watch program, Park praised the department for its efforts in promoting neighborhood safety. He stressed the importance of getting the word out about these programs.
“IPD is doing a great job, but a lot of the resources available in Irvine aren’t always well-known to the residents,” he said. “This is where Councilmembers can act as a bridge to ensure this information is accessible.
Beyond neighborhood watch programs, Park highlighted the success of initiatives like IPD’s E-bike safety program, which works closely with local schools to promote safety for students.
“These kinds of programs show how important it is for Councilmembers to build bridges between the community and city resources,” Park said.
Public Spaces and Libraries
In addition to public safety, Park wants to see Irvine’s public spaces evolve to meet the changing needs of its residents, particularly when it comes to the city’s libraries. While he acknowledges the need to update the library system, Park envisions something beyond the traditional concept of a library.
“I think our library system needs updating—nobody in Irvine would argue with that,” he said. “But what I’m saying is we need to reimagine what a library is and bring it into this century.”
Park envisions libraries as modern learning centers, incorporating cutting-edge technology and providing spaces for students to study and engage in lectures.
“I don’t want students studying at Starbucks; I want them to have access to study rooms and tech-capable spaces,” he said. “High-speed internet access is a necessity, and it’s something not everyone has at home. We need to make sure these resources are available.”
Park emphasized that Irvine’s growth should be balanced, adhering to the city’s master plan while continuing to foster its traditional character.
“We’ve drifted away from some of our strategic objectives in our rapid growth,” he said. “I want to make sure we stick to our master plan and maintain the village concept that defines Irvine—close-by amenities, schools, parks, and proper infrastructure.”
Irvine’s Future
For Park, running for City Council is about making sure that Irvine continues to be a place where families can thrive. When asked what might surprise people about him, Park mentioned his childhood.
“I grew up in Virginia in subsidized housing,” he said. “People might be surprised to know the things I can relate to based on that background.”
With his deep roots in the community, Park is ready to serve and ensure Irvine’s continued success.
“I am totally committed to keeping Irvine, Irvine,” he said. “For the residents of District 1, I will work tirelessly to do that.”
Irvinite Questions
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Irvinite Questions 〰️
Read Park’s answers to some questions posted by members of the Irvine subreddit.
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I have a 21-year-old son—maybe he’s the one who put that question in! But I think Irvine is a unique environment. If you’re looking for full-on nightclubs, I don’t think our city is the place for that. I don’t think we have the demographic to support it, to be honest. My friends at UC Irvine and my son might disagree, but that’s how I see it.
However, I do think we can explore new options. There are places where we can experiment, possibly in the Irvine Business Complex (IBC) area. One idea I’m really interested in is making nightlife more event-driven. For example, some cities in Orange County have fantastic international night markets, and they’re a huge draw for young people, families, and older folks alike. They obviously take place at night, and I think Irvine has the perfect location—the Great Park.
With our diverse community, I believe something like that could be supported regularly, and I’d love to help initiate it. This is just part of the changes we’re seeing in our city. Fifteen years ago, people probably wouldn’t have even asked about nightlife in Irvine, but now they are. Our city is changing, and it’s important that we address that.
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Let’s address the issue of E-bikes. That’s a good one because, as I mentioned earlier, I’ve been knocking on a lot of doors, and E-bikes are probably the most frequently mentioned concern. I definitely think, for the safety of riders, pedestrians, and everyone else, we need to enact a strong E-bike ordinance in the city.
I’ve been studying what other cities are doing. For example, Laguna Niguel recently enacted an ordinance less than six months ago, which I thought was pretty effective. Some examples of this include speed limits on shared sidewalks.
The bikes themselves have speed limits, but let me give you an example. Laguna Niguel put a five-mile-per-hour speed limit on shared sidewalks—pedestrian sidewalks, that is. Enforcement is key here. We want to make sure riders are wearing helmets, and it’s not just kids riding E-bikes—it’s everyone. There have been a lot of near-miss incidents, particularly involving kids, but it affects everyone.
For example, I was getting ready for a walk with my volunteers in one of the smaller neighborhood parks, and there was a lady pushing a stroller. Suddenly, a kid, probably middle-school age, came out of nowhere on an E-bike. He was going so fast, we didn’t even see him until he had to come to a screeching halt and swerve to avoid hitting the lady. She and I made eye contact from about 100 yards away, both of us with a frightened look on our faces. And then, he just sped off.
It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt. The Irvine Police Department reported a 74% increase in E-bike incidents in the last reporting cycle, which shows how serious this is becoming. For everyone’s safety, it’s critical we address this.