Crystal Cove alliance plans antiresort rally

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- Save Crystal Cove, an alliance of groups opposed

to building a proposed resort at the state park, will host an afternoon

of activities on how to preserve the public park Sunday.

“We’re celebrating the fact that the resort is not there,” said

Jeannette Merrilees, a spokeswoman for the group.

Merrilees added that she hopes the show of support will convince Gov.

Gray Davis to preserve the public park.

The “Discovery Afternoon” will feature archeological and photographic

exhibits on the history of the cove, walks along the cliffs and

informative sessions on the geology and endangered habitats in the area.

Organizers of the event want to show residents that they can still

protest the development, which was proposed two years ago, in the hopes

of making the state parks department more financially independent.

“Basically what’s happening is that the parks department would like

people to think the Crystal Cove development is a done deal,” said member

Barbara Hoag.

Unless residents take an active role to prevent the development,

Merrilees fears that the focus on the “preservation and protection of

resources that belong to all the people of California” would be lost.

But, said Ken Colombini of the state parks department, the state’s

intention “is to preserve the historic district and not build some sort

of high-rise.” Ideally they would like to rehabilitate the historic

cottages to make them available for public use.

“[We don’t want] to build some kind of huge complex,” Colombini said.

“It’s going to remain in a pretty small area.”

The history behind the proposal to build the resort on Crystal Cove

stretches back 20 years. In 1979, California purchased the state park

during a time when expanses of the coast were being lost. Several years

later the state Department of Parks and Recreation hit a financial

squeeze and lost funds. In order to offset these losses and wean the

department from the state general fund, it was decided that the

department become more self-sufficient.

With this in mind, it was proposed that a resort be built between

Newport and Laguna Beach at Crystal Cove. Almost immediately the

suggestion resulted in fierce reactions from many residents and

environmentalists who together formed Save Crystal Cove.

WHAT: “Discovery Afternoon” at Crystal Cove State Park

WHEN: Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

PRICE: $6 for parking