CdM students plan to 'occupy' the Balboa Fun Zone

Some Corona del Mar High School students are preparing to get in on the Occupy movement to try and preserve the Balboa Fun Zone.

The students are planning Project: Occupy the Fun Zone at noon Saturday during an open house for the upcoming ocean-themed educational and entertainment center, ExplorOcean, that is slated to replace the fun zone, said movement leader Courtney Brown, 16.

"We've had so many memories there and we want to do everything we can do," she said. "We can't just let it be ruined."

The CdM High sophomore has been following the campaign to save Balboa and decided to get in on the action. Saturday, though, will be more of a rally than a protest, she said.

"Our focus is not bashing the museum and whoever owns the land. We just want them to consider alternatives," she said. "I really think the Fun Zone could be fixed up."

More than 170 people have already signed up to come to the rally on the Facebook event page Courtney created.

Part of Courtney's reason to get involved was to show that it's not just the older generation who cares.

She spent the majority of her summers growing up there. It's the heart of Newport Beach, she said.

"People still love it," she said. "Our main objective is to show that all generations really love it."

britney.barnes@latimes.com

Twitter: @britneyjbarnes