The boardwalk along the ocean in Newport Beach is a wonderful
attraction to both residents and visitors alike. We are blessed to be
along the ocean and have this boardwalk to enjoy an evening stroll or
an early morning bike ride.
Why do they call it a boardwalk? I know along the Jersey shore the
boardwalks are just that; walkways made of boards. At one time, many
years ago, were the boardwalks here really made of boards? If they
were, I hope someone out there will educate us on this titillating
question.
But excuse me, I digress. What I really want to present is an old
and tired idea that has been floated in the past but disregarded and
scuttled because of the special interests of a few.
The preface:
The boardwalk is a public sidewalk. Public as in anyone has a
right to use it and enjoy it. I hope we are all on the same page on
this so far.
There is more public (as in more people) these days in Southern
California, Orange County, and Newport Beach. Any arguments yet?
The business community around McFadden's Wharf and on the Balboa
Peninsula has struggled for years to entice the public to frequent
the businesses there and make the area an inviting place to visit.
West Newport has been struggling as well. Does everyone agree with me
so far?
Now I know there are many of you who are pulling out your poison
pens because you expect something controversial. Go ahead and pull
those pens out.
My proposal:
1. Add a separate bicycle path parallel to the existing boardwalk
like they have in Marina del Rey, Venice Beach and Santa Monica.
Extend the path on the beach to Huntington Beach.
2. Create economic development zones based around a revitalized
boardwalk in West Newport, McFadden's Wharf and the Balboa Pier/Fun
Zone areas to stimulate tourism, improve the quality of life and
provide enchanting areas for us "locals" to visit and hang out.
Outdoor cafes or coffee houses and other businesses that could
flourish in such a magnificent environment should be encouraged. Use
"eminent domain" laws if necessary to acquire the necessary land.
3. As a natural extension of the boardwalk, create main "arteries"
for a "boardwalk" to access other areas, by foot and bicycle, such as
Lido Village, Lido Peninsula and Cannery Village, as well as Balboa
Island. The new housing/commercial development in Cannery Village
could have been (maybe still can) be part of one such artery.
In the past, the idea of a second "boardwalk" for bicycles lost
the air in its tires and was retired. Well, I think it's time to
reinflate this idea in a grandiose way that will benefit all the
people of Newport Beach, benefit businesses in these somewhat
depressed areas and benefit Richard Luehrs' Newport Beach Chamber of
Commerce. So what's wrong with this?
* PAUL JAMES BALDWIN is a resident of Newport Beach.
