City agrees to seek grants for parkland

COSTA MESA -- The city only wants millions if it fits into its plan.

With three other green-light votes locked in, Councilwoman Karen

Robinson would not click in her vote until she made sure the city could

reject the money if plans for a botanical garden and habitat restoration

were not in line with a final plan for Fairview Park.

“If we are lucky enough to get any of this funding, I’m sure we could

go back to the state and modify certain aspects of the projects,” said

Director of Public Service Bill Morris.

In July, the California Department of Parks and Recreation notified

the city that three projects designated for Fairview Park were nominated

for urban recreational and cultural centers funding.

A total of $8 million is available in grant funding, and the city is

asking for $7,526,660, a staff report shows. The report also notes that

it is highly unlikely all three projects will receive funding.

Included in the plans are a 33.52-acre botanical garden, 111-acre

habitat restoration and the Fairview Park Huscroft House Cultural Museum.

However, as plans for the Huscroft House now include selling it rather

than moving it to Fairview Park, the council voted to revise the

application.

Instead of money for the museum, the city will ask only for the money

for the proposed parking lot, which would still be used to access the

east side of the park, said Parks Project Manager Dave Alkema.

Both the botanical garden and habitat restoration call for additional

bicycle trails, which have been an item of contention for some

surrounding residents.

Resident Paul Feeny said he likes the park as a wildlife habitat and

is worried the grant could develop the park too much.

“My grandson and I go to that park so we can get dirty. I think this

grant might open the doors for the cement mixers,” he said.

The grandfather also opposed any habitat restoration. He said the

weeds in the park are perfect to trample through and have fun. If

millions of dollars are spent to replant certain native plants, he fears

access to them would be restricted.

“I’m sure these plants will have signs that say do not touch, do not

enter,” Feeny said.

Fairview Park enthusiast Bob Graham favored the grant money, saying a

proposed parking lot on the east side of the park would allow more people

access to the parkland. Graham, who favored moving Huscroft House to

Fairview Park before the council’s decision to sell it, was upset that

condition of the grant application would be changed.

“It’s a shame we’re applying for a parking lot for a cultural museum

when we don’t even have one in the park,” Graham said.