Editorial

The city of Newport Beach did its residents a favor last month when it

-- with the aid of many supporters -- convinced the state to allow it to

buy 15 acres of open space for use as a park.

On Oct. 12, Gov. Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 124, which will allow

the city to buy the parcel of land from the California Department of

Transportation for $1.3 million -- the same price Caltrans paid in 1966.

The land -- better known as Sunset Ridge Park -- is at West Coast Highway

and Superior Avenue and was appraised for $4.1 million in 1999.

In January, state Sen. Ross Johnson introduced the bill to transfer

the land that he said has sat idle, “growing weeds for the past 35

years.” Caltrans bought the land to build a portion of freeway on the

site, but community opposition killed the so-called Pacific Coast Freeway

in 1973.

The city will eventually build unlighted ballparks and playing fields

at the park, located about a quarter-mile from the beach. Actually zoned

residential, the property could have accommodated 160 homes, all of which

would have contributed more urban runoff to the ocean.

But getting the state to give into Johnson’s and the city’s request

took teamwork from many outside players, including Newport Beach

residents Louise Greeley, Jean Watt and Mike Johnson, Orange County

CoastKeeper Executive Director Garry Brown, State Coast Conservancy

member Paul Morabito and heiress Joan Irvine Smith.

Without everyone’s efforts, including state environmental

organizations such as the Audubon Society and Sierra Club, the property

may have hosted those 160 homes or continued to breed weeds.

We can’t think of a better use of the land in a slow-growth city such

as Newport Beach than a park where today’s and tomorrow’s children and

adults can play in the fresh, coastal air.

Rack this one up to smart local government, wonderful community

leaders and a helpful state senator.

We thank them all, and you should too.