READERS RESPOND -- Locals split on proposed artificial tide pool at

Big Corona

PRO

I am definitely in favor of creating an artificial tide pool at Big

Corona, as long as it’s secure, safe, and properly staffed.

I also strongly believe that a broader base of biologists than was

suggested in your [Aug. 3] article should be used as resources for this

project.

There are several community colleges and several universities other than

OCC that have highly qualified and highly skilled ecologists and marine

biologists on their faculties. These people need to be recruited and

urged to participate in this worthy project in a collaborative effort,

since students from all over Orange County would benefit from it.

MICHAEL G. JACOBS

Newport Beach

I firmly agree that an artificial tide pool at Big Corona is needed and

will be well-received.

I have been taking my children and now grandchildren toLittle Corona for

years and have watched the natural marine life diminish. All that remain

are crabs and a few anemone. I feel this has been caused by the

uncontrolled handling of the few species that attempt to survive in the

waters.

Doheny State Beach’s interpretive center has a tide pool, and about

20,000 schoolchildren visit each year. Why not Corona del Mar?

CONNIE HARRINGTON

Costa Mesa

An artificial tide pool at Big Corona is a wonderful idea.

For years schoolchildren and others have been ravaging the tide pools of

their sea life and natural beauty. We should have restrictions today that

limits access to the tide pools. Later, when an artificial facility is

built, all can enjoy the wonders of tide pools without harming this

precious natural resource we have in our community.

PAUL JAMES BALDWIN

Newport Beach

CON

I am astounded that people are actually considering adding artificial

tide pools and an aquarium at Big Corona. What a bad concept.

The beautiful beach there is already too crowded. Using precious space

for artificial tide pools is a terrible thing to do. It will add more

crowding and parking in a residential neighborhood if it is a success,

and destroy part of a beautiful area whether it succeeds or not.

Our mayor hopes to persuade teachers to bring their students and buses

away from Ocean Boulevard and down to Big Corona. I, for one, would never

choose artificial over real for want of a few blocks extra drive, plus

saving a parking fee. Hope is a very weak verb -- I certainly expect our

mayor and council members to rely on more than hope in their

decision-making processes.

WALLACE S. PAULSON

Corona del Mar

We are opposed to the tentative proposal to build artificial tide pools

at Big Corona.

The traffic congestion is out of control for those of us who live here.

We don’t need to attract more people to make it a lot worse.

WALTER M. AND MARJORIE DRAKE

Corona del Mar

I vehemently oppose the tide pool proposal for Big Corona.

Big Corona is very crowded as it is now and services the needs of the

community just fine. To make an amusement park-type effect there would

just make it worse. The answer to preserving the tide pools at Little

Corona is to have a docent or some other monitor, like a lifeguard, to

make sure that it’s not abused so that the public can enjoy it and

continue to enjoy it -- but not to make an artificial amusement mark and

ruin the charm of Big Corona.

PERRY WALLOCK

Corona del Mar