The construction was perfect timing because families who are living in a struggling economy won’t have to spend as much money in terms of gas to enjoy ocean camping, Daigle said.
“Ocean camping is a unique experience,” she said.
DeVore, who fought the park project and championed the battle of El Morro Village trailer park residents to keep their leased spots on the coast, said the project is a boondoggle for taxpayers.
“I’m glad to see work finally commencing on the new parking lot for Crystal Cove,” DeVore said in a news release.
“It is over budget and behind schedule, though, as has been the other projects at this state park, costing state taxpayers millions of dollars in overruns during this time of huge deficits,” DeVore said. “We must do a better job of managing state assets. Lastly, I am concerned that the current plan shortchanges public safety.
Hundreds of visitors a day crossing Pacific Coast Highway at that location to get to the beach is an accident waiting to happen.”
A pedestrian crossing with signals was eliminated from the plan, but the existing underpass will continue to link the inland and beach facilities, Kramer said. Daigle concurred, adding that public access was consistent with the coastal act.
“No pedestrians will be allowed to cross the highway,” Kramer said. Volunteer “hosts” will be at the campsite at all times to greet visitors and provide security, he said.
The project is financed by voter-approved Proposition 12 park bond funds.
“This is a project that will provide construction jobs to build the park and tourism visitors to fill the park and spur the Orange Coast economy,” said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks.
