California State Parks

-- Paul Clinton California State Parks officials have scheduled a second workshop about the future of Crystal Cove State Park for Nov. 1. The workshop, following an April 26 meeting, moves the state another step closer toward finalizing a plan for the park. In the past months, state parks officials have been working with local environmentalists to craft a plan for the 46 historic cottages on the cove's beach. The meeting will allow the public a chance to "roll up its sleeves and get a hands-on grasp of the issues," said Parks Planner Bob Hare.

-- Paul Clinton The California State Parks and developer Michael Freed officially have parted ways. The department wrote Freed a $2-million check Tuesday for the development rights at Crystal Cove State Park. The move unwinds a more than three-year deal between Freed and the state that called for him to build a luxury resort on the beach. Freed's resort plan died after more than 600 locals crammed a Corona del Mar auditorium in January to oppose the plan.

Paul Clinton NEWPORT BEACH -- The Crystal Cove Community Trust has filed an amended version of its lawsuit against California State Parks after a settlement conference produced no results. With the suit, trust members hope to reverse the state's July 8 eviction of the former residents from the 46 cottages at Crystal Cove State Park. By forcing them out, the state made a decision that was "premature, financially imprudent and will expedite the destruction and demolition of the historic district through vacancy," the suit alleges.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- Leaders of a state agency concerned with coastal access and open space are anxiously awaiting a possible $5 million to restore the cottages at the state park. In December, members of the California Coastal Conservancy submitted a preliminary application to the State Water Resources Control Board for the funds. The conservancy is trying to tap into a pot of money available via Proposition 13, a statewide water bond that passed in March 2000.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- At least two new sources of revenue emerged Tuesday for the state park's cottages with the passage of a statewide parks bond. Officials with California State Parks and a local assemblyman are now moving forward with efforts to secure a portion of some $400 million that could be available. On Tuesday, voters approved Proposition 40, 55.4% to 44.6%. The park bond would raise $2.6 billion. Of that amount, about $200 million will be set aside to preserve historic and cultural resources.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- A state-funding agency has begun work on securing as much as $10 million to help pay for the restoration of the state park's aging cottages. Officials at the California Coastal Conservancy, a sister agency of the California Coastal Commission, have begun considering whether the money could be tapped from a water bond passed by voters in March 2000. Conservancy spokesman Dick Wayman said the agency's board is expected to know by February whether that bond, Proposition 13, could be a source of much-needed money.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- For the next several weeks, anyone who wants an inside glimpse of the historic district will have an opportunity to get it. California State Parks has begun leading the public through the district in a series of guided walking tours. "Our goal with this whole thing is to have as many people come down to the district," said Winter Bonin, who is organizing the tours. It will allow the public "to have a final chance to get close to the cottages and to go into a few of the cottages."

The Berns Environmental Study Loop at Crystal Cove State Park opens to the public Saturday with festivities that also kick off a yearlong celebration of the 150th anniversary of California State Parks. The free event, from 1 to 6 p.m. in Moro Canyon, will give visitors a chance to explore the science stations and participate in hands-on projects. Music, a bonfire and s'mores will also be featured. The newly constructed half-mile loop, part of a 35-acre restoration project, sits on a site that was once home to a trailer park.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- State parks officials managing the vacant, historic cottages at the state park have extended a contract with a security firm to continue a 24-hour watch. California State Parks extended a one-year deal with B.R. South Coast Private Security Services Inc. for two more months, until a new contract can be worked out with a new firm. The company has been supplying security personnel with badges and guns to monitor the 46 cottages for potential vandals, curious teenagers and anyone with bad intentions toward the historic landmark.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- A state plan to turn the cottages here into overnight rentals, interpretive centers and research labs is getting a cool reception from environmentalists and former residents of the beachfront community. The plan, released by California State Parks on Thursday, would allow the public to rent some of the 46 now-vacant cottages for between $20 and $150 per night. Also on Thursday, the state released preliminary estimates for restoring the cottages that range from $12 million to $20 million.

The Berns Environmental Study Loop at Crystal Cove State Park opens to the public Saturday with festivities that also kick off a yearlong celebration of the 150th anniversary of California State Parks. The free event, from 1 to 6 p.m. in Moro Canyon, will give visitors a chance to explore the science stations and participate in hands-on projects. Music, a bonfire and s'mores will also be featured. The newly constructed half-mile loop, part of a 35-acre restoration project, sits on a site that was once home to a trailer park.

A Newport Beach teenager died over the weekend, hours after being injured in an off-roading motorcycle crash in Riverside County. Alex Chisholm, 17, was riding alone about 4 p.m. Sunday at the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreation Area near Borrego Springs when he lost control, according to a California State Parks spokeswoman. Chisholm was going about 25 miles an hour when he hit an obstacle similar to a sand dune, spokeswoman Vicky Waters said. The crash ejected Chisholm, and the bike's handlebars hit him in the abdomen as he flew off, according to Waters.

No hotel on peninsula, but drug rehab center OK? Newport Beach City Councilman Dick Nichols is right to strongly oppose the proposed 15th Street drug rehab center ("Peninsula residents decry drug rehabilitation center," April 12). The Balboa Peninsula is already Newport Beach's dumping ground, with run-down weekly rentals near expensive oceanfront homes, empty storefronts and restaurants and occasional vagrants roaming about. We cannot have Stephen Sutherland's beautiful new hotel on 15th Street, but we can have a drug rehab center instead?

An attorney representing the management company of El Morro Village mobile home park said Monday he plans to appeal a judge's ruling against his client last week. Orange County Superior Court Judge Kim Dunning issued an oral summary judgment Thursday in favor of the California State Parks Department. The department is trying to evict residents and management company El Morro Village Inc. so it can replace the mobile home park with a public campground.

Marisa O'Neil A day at the beach will cost more next summer, at least for visitors to Crystal Cove State Beach and maybe Corona del Mar. State budget cuts have forced the California State Parks to at least double the day-use fees for the beach starting July 1, spokesman Roy Stearns said. The fee hikes could either control crowds at local beaches or send them searching for a cheaper alternative. "From the city's perspective, increased parking and day-use fees cause people to park more on public roads and other areas to avoid fees and hoof it into the parks, which can be somewhat of a problem," Newport Beach Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff said.

Paul Clinton The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a plan on Wednesday to restore the historic, but crumbling, cottages at the state park for public overnight rentals. The 11-member panel, at a Long Beach meeting, validated a plan that was arguably two decades in the making. California State Parks drafted its first restoration plan for the cottages in 1982. The approval sets up a dual significance for next year as the 25th anniversary of the state's purchase of Crystal Cove from the Irvine Co. in 1979 and the year the bulk of the 46 cottages will open for public use. "This is a very significant milestone in getting that section of the park open to the public," said Mike Tope, superintendent of the State Parks' local district.

Paul Clinton A state coastal panel is poised to approve the restoration of historic cottages at the state park for use by the general public. At a meeting today in Long Beach, the California Coastal Commission will consider a plan from California State Parks to restore the 46 cottages and offer them to the public as affordable overnight rentals. Laguna Beach Mayor Toni Iseman, who is also a commissioner, said she has long been a supporter of the plan that has winded its way through months of public input and discussion.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- State parks officials managing the vacant, historic cottages at the state park have extended a contract with a security firm to continue a 24-hour watch. California State Parks extended a one-year deal with B.R. South Coast Private Security Services Inc. for two more months, until a new contract can be worked out with a new firm. The company has been supplying security personnel with badges and guns to monitor the 46 cottages for potential vandals, curious teenagers and anyone with bad intentions toward the historic landmark.

Paul Clinton CRYSTAL COVE -- Money to restore the 46 cottages at the state park is fairly secure, even with the $24-billion state budget shortfall and a stalemate on the new year's budget, officials said. The $9.2 million in bond funds, $2.8-million gift from the California Coastal Commission and $1.1 million for short-term repairs should be protected as Republicans call for spending cuts. That would allow at least $13.1 million to restore the rustic but deteriorating cabins sitting on the beach.

When the residents at Crystal Cove were removed from the 46 cottages there in July, the future of the pristine beach was only somewhat clear. Certainly the beach would be completely opened to the public. However, the majority of the cottages' destinies were still up in the air. Some would be preserved while the others awaited funding and project proposals. Fast forward about 10 months. In Gov. Gray Davis' state budget revision released last week, about $9.2 million in Proposition 40 funding has been set aside for the cove.