Andrew Glazer
COSTA MESA -- The Planning Commission is scheduled to decide tonight
whether concrete trails belong in Fairview Park.
The city's plans for the park call for several of the dirt paths to be
paved with asphalt or concrete. But hundreds of residents living near the
park signed a petition started by Tim Cromwell, who owns a house on the
park's northern boundary, saying the trails should remain dirt.
"All the bumps and jumps on the hills that mountain bikers use would
be history," said Cromwell, who said he enjoys running on the dirt paths.
"They would turn them all into wide vanilla-type trails that wouldn't be
fun to ride on. I guess the city's just nervous the kids are going to
enjoy themselves too much."
The city's Fairview Park Citizen's Advisory Committee recommended that
the city downgrade one trail used by bicycles and pedestrians to a
hiker-only trail. But the committee did not recommend requiring the city
use dirt and natural materials to create all-new paths.
Any decision the Planning Commission makes tonight about Fairview Park
is a recommendation. The City Council ultimately will decide what to do
with the park.
Cromwell said he would only support one paved trail from Placentia
Avenue to the Santa Ana River trail.
"I don't mind one road for strollers and high-speed bikes for
transportation purposes," he said. "But don't eliminate all the dirt
trails that we're enjoying so much."
The Planning Commission meets at 6:30 p.m today at City Hall, 77 Fair
Drive.
