The OC Great Park Takes Flight

The public got its first chance to ride in the balloon, which is 72 feet in diameter and consists of a gondola suspended beneath a 210,000 cubic foot envelope. It is tethered to the ground at all times and a hydroelectric winch controls its movement. The balloon is operated from the air and ground by licensed pilots. Photo by Guy Nelson.

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The five story-tall, 10,560-pound, iconic orange Great Park Balloon, which can carry 30 people in its donut shaped gondola, was filled with 5,500 cubic meters of helium in preparation for the official launch. The Aerophile Corp., the manufacturer of the Orange County Great Park Aero 30NG Balloon, inflated and prepared the giant tethered balloon, officially marking the first phase opening of the Orange County Great Park.

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The balloon goes up 500 feet on a cable, which is the equivalent of being at the top of a 50-story building. Passengers can see for 25 miles in all directions and get a fabulous view of the entire park, the hills to the east and Catalina to the west. Photo by Guy Nelson.

The Orange County Great Park, which is almost twice the size of Central Park, will be a major metropolitan park and the focal point of the redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro. The Great Park will include extensive natural areas and open space in addition to recreational and cultural uses.