Campground to open around 2010, officials say

Construction of the long-awaited El Moro Campground at Crystal Cove State Park is expected to begin after the weekend, Crystal Cove State Park Supt. Ken Kramer said.

State Parks officials recently awarded a $12-million public works project contract to Los Angeles Engineering Inc. for the conversion of the former El Morro Village trailer park to a state park campground, beach and picnic area.

The project is set to begin in mid-July and is expected to be open to the public by early 2010.

Parks officials are anticipating the 60 overnight campsites and 200 day use parking spaces will attract more than 100,000 weekend visitors.

Park use fee revenues from camping, day use and special events could generate as much as an additional $1 million per year to support California State Parks, according to parks officials.

The 35-acre project site is within the boundaries of the 2,791-acre Crystal Cove State Park on one of the last undeveloped stretches of the Orange County coastline.

The park was purchased in 1979 from the Irvine Co. for more than $32 million. While the public approved the park’s General Plan in 1982, including the conversion plans for the former trailer park, a long-term lease for the 294 trailer homes and legal challenges by the former tenants delayed the start of the project for years.

For more information, contact Kramer at (949) 494-3539.

— Cindy Frazier