A four-sided concrete obelisk that incorporates significant emblems of American history and iconic images of Mission Viejo’s natural beauty will decorate the Oso Creek Trail, city leaders have decided.
But, exactly where it will go there, and how the elements — an American Revolutionary War soldier, the American eagle, a nod to the Declaration of Independence and a panel showing Mission Viejo’s landscape — will be engraved into its mosaic-tiled sides, is still to be decided.
The City Council, which recently voted 2-2 to approve the concept, has formed a committee of Mayor Bob Ruesch and Councilmember Brian Godell to decide some minor design tweaks for the obelisk, which is being funded in part by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Some members of the public voiced their concerns during a recent council meeting about the proposed placement of logos for both the Daughters of the Revolution and the city. There was also some discussion about the planned placement of the obelisk, which had been proposed at the center of the hedge maze along the Oso Creek Trail.
Councilmember Trish Kelly liked the four-sided pillar as proposed, “I thought it was lovely,” she said, adding that the proposal “had already gone before the Cultural Arts Committee, the Heritage Committee, and the Community Services Commission. Each of the three boards approved it.”
Councilmember Wendy Bucknum suggested forming the ad hoc committee to review a change in design, where the logos would be relocated to the base of the structure.
Council members agreed to have it reviewed by the committee for changes and then be ready for implementation, with plans to unveil it on the morning of July 4, 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The monument is designed by Maryann Herrera. The Daughters of the American Revolution have committed about $12,000 toward its design, supplies and labor. The city has agreed to pay for the cost of the site where it will be built, and its installation is estimated between $10,000 and $15,000.
The Daughters have worked with the city on other projects, including those directed at local history.
“I am excited that we will have a beautiful, lasting commemoration of our nation’s 250th birthday,” said Kelly. “Our Oso Creek Trail is the perfect location for this piece, which provides a unique history lesson with four sides of artistic renderings.”