Honors park themselves here

Paul Clinton

To say Louise Greeley was a woman with a cause would vastly understate

her 20-year effort to transform a weed-infested parcel of land into a

Newport Beach park.

Her efforts paid off last year when land at the intersection of

Superior Avenue and West Coast Highway was finally wrestled out of the

hands of the California Department of Transportation.

The city was able to buy the 15-acre parcel for $1.3 million -- the

same price Caltrans paid in 1966 -- so city officials can develop a park

at what is known locally as “Sunset Ridge.”

Earlier this month, Greeley was honored for her persistence, the

latest in a string of awards since October.

State Sen. Ross Johnson, who represents Costa Mesa and Newport Beach,

honored the West Newport resident as the 2002 Woman of the Year for his

35th Senate District.

Johnson’s Senate Bill 124 allowed the city to buy the land for a

fourth of its appraised value. Gov. Gray Davis signed the bill into law

on Oct. 12.

“Louise Greeley is an outstanding example of what can happen when

individuals get involved in their community,” Johnson said. “For 20

years, she led community efforts to transform a vacant piece of surplus

land into a park.”

Greeley, who lives in the Newport Crest condominiums that overlook the

park, was also honored by the City Council in November for “her

outstanding achievements” during the process.

And her homeowners group gave her a leadership award for “exceptional

vision, purpose and dedication.”

Greeley became a regular visitor to City Hall during the years she

worked on the project. She said she was fond of popping in on Assistant

City Manager Dave Kiff and asking whether the city had found a way to buy

the land.

City officials had said they would not pay Caltrans’ $4.1 million

asking price for the property.

Councilwoman Jan Debay joined the effort in the early 1990s, when she

was elected to the council, and pushed for the park.

The park got its name when sheriff’s deputies would park their patrol

cars on the ridge to admire the breathtaking view at dusk.

Bob Methot, a deputy from 1946 to 1961, remembers taking his patrol

car up to the ridge. Methot also praised Greeley for her efforts.

“She has devoted a lot of time to it,” Methot said. “Whatever happens

there is going to be on account of her.”

Greeley grew up in Scarsdale, New York. She has lived in Newport Beach

since 1975, when she moved to the city with her husband.

Greeley, who declined to give her age, has lived in the apartment

since her husband died in 1983.

In addition to working on the park, Greeley is also an active

Christian Science practitioner. She has an office near City Hall on Via

Lido.

Greeley has a son, two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

* Paul Clinton covers the environment, John Wayne Airport and

politics. He may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .