City to Move Forward With Planned Park

Despite an outcry from neighbors to delay plans to build a $526,000 community park, the City Council decided this week that it was time to move forward with the project.

The council did give residents two weeks to respond to a handful of minor changes but made it clear that the council will vote at the next meeting, on June 4, to start construction of Clipper Cove Park.

Several homeowners who live near the 4.9-acre park site off Alicia Parkway between Niguel and Aliso Creek roads are worried about noise and light.

They asked for fewer light poles and a reduction or elimination of playground equipment and picnic tables.

“I feel like I’m made to be against apple pie and motherhood” by calling for less playground area, said resident Keary Gregg, who told the council that noise is a paramount issue with his neighbors.

But council members told the residents Clipper Cove already is the most passive park in the city, with the fewest amenities that would attract large numbers of people.

“Subtracting one picnic table and taking away one tot lot is not going to reduce the noise,” Councilman Mark Goodman said.

Other residents in the area supported the playground plans.

“I feel a neighborhood park would foster closeness” in the community, Mercedes Wagner said. “It will be a good place for children to play.”

Although the current plans were solidified in 1992, the project was delayed while the city negotiated with the developer, Shappel Industries, over maintenance of slopes ringing the park.