Andrew Glazer
COSTA MESA -- A group pushing for a 1,000-acre wilderness preserve along
the Santa Ana River presented a preliminary design to an enthusiastic
crowd Thursday.
The park would line both sides of the river and stretch inland just below
Adams Avenue. It would run through Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport
Beach and unincorporated open space and parkland, said Bob Fisher,
executive director of Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, the group
spearheading the effort.
"None of the entities have pieced together the puzzle and looked at a
grand vision," Fisher said before the meeting. "I'm suggesting they all
come together and form an institution."
The newly formed park authority would restore the land to its natural
habitat, develop trails and erect informational signs.
Fisher told an audience of approximately 150 people that it made logical
sense to join the mosaic of parks, owned by the three cities, the county
and other smaller entities. The park authority would meet regularly and
share planning and maintenance costs, while maintaining their respective
ownership.
As a unified preserve, the park would provide a seamless passage to the
ocean, maintaining the indigenous surf zones, marshlands, willow forests,
grasslands and endangered vernal pools, Fisher said.
The entire preserve would be larger than New York's Central Park and
Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
The group initially pitched the idea to the three cities and the county
more than a year ago. The cities each donated $5,000 while the county
provided the group with $10,000. Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks
raised additional money on their own, which also helped pay consultants
to design the park.
"It's exciting to see their progress," said Costa Mesa City Councilman
Joe Erickson. "It will be educational, especially for children. And I
think it's very feasible."
If the landowners agree to partner in the project, Fisher predicted it
would take 10 to 15 years to complete the preserve. He said it would cost
between $20-100 million, depending how much habitat restoration is
required.
Fisher said state money, recently released by voters with the approval of
two ballot initiatives, could help fund the project.
He said the next step for his group is to gather public input, develop a
more concrete plan and return to the landowners, pitching the
collaboration.
"We would like to bring everyone together into a park-nership," he said,
coining a new word.
