North Irvine is the city's "gateway to the great outdoors."  Within the Northern Sphere's boundaries, there are more than 4,600 acres slated for open space preservation and 1,085 acres in open space recreation or other open space. Building upon the City's historic Open Space Agreement of 1988, this plan has a phased dedication program for the associated open space to be permanently preserved. The Northern Sphere plan incorporates new open space implementation districts that will ensure the dedication of preserved open space for perpetual public ownership as lands designated for development are built. This northern open space will be linked to the city's open space in the southern region by the Jeffrey Open Space Trail - a recreation and open space corridor park located along Jeffrey Road. The Northern Sphere plan also contains a significant community park program which will complete the city's park system by providing a balance of active sports facilities - lighted and unlighted - needed park buildings, and opportunities for embarking on nature walks in the northern open space regions.