Editorial

When the state Department of Parks and Recreation evicted the

residents of Crystal Cove on July 8, the future of the cottages remained

uncertain.

And while the agency’s latest proposal for changes at the beach and

park is only preliminary, we’d have to say it’s on the right track.

The department’s plan would include a mix of overnight vacation

rentals, an interpretive center and research labs.

Where the department hits the mark are the rentals. About half of the

46 now-vacant cottages would be rented out for prices between $20 and

$150 a night.

For the residents of California who have footed the bill since the

state bought it from the Irvine Co. in 1979, it’s a long-awaited step in

the right direction. For too long after the purchase, the cove’s

residents were allowed to remain.

Under the plan, the taxpaying public finally will have the opportunity

to spend a night on the majestic beachfront land that, since the 1920s

and until July, a few fortunate people called home.

Since the plan is preliminary, environmentalists and former cove

residents now have the opportunity to voice their concerns.

Already, some have cautioned against renting out the cottages, which

were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Aside

from that, they have been pleased in that the state has obviously made an

effort to meet their needs.

At this point, the state plans to spend between $12 million and $20

million to restore the cottages, a preservation effort that former

residents have applauded. Those same former cove dwellers have called for

the entire 46 cottages to be saved.

Letter writers to this newspaper have called for the demolition of all

of the cottages saying they truly have no historic significance in this

state and were shabbily constructed from the get-go.

We at the Pilot urge State Parks officials to continue in their

efforts to allow taxpayers to pay nominal fees to spend a night or so at

the cove. At the same time, we urge officials to reconsider preserving

the entire 46 cottages and instead preserve a select few.

Turn the cove into a campground to ensure every taxpayer has the

opportunity to visit what is actually theirs.