Boardwalk not needed around Back Bay

Regarding the question: Is a boardwalk along the Back Bay

necessary?

Answer: Absolutely not. An asphalt pathway for joggers, skaters

and bikers, and a decomposed granite pathway for walkers and

equestrians already exists at the proposed location. A two-mile

raised platform would be as “overbuilt” and unnecessary as the

galvanized pipe and wire “corrals” that currently enclose the lookout

points. The regional park should be treated with more respect and

less-heavy-handed solutions. Park users do not need to be confined to

the bluff top in order for the Back Bay habitat to flourish. Parks

and Recreation planners should be asking themselves, “Would I find

this solution in Yosemite?” before proposing these types of

solutions.

I also strongly object to the article referring to the trails that

have been used by local residents for decades as “illegal” trails, to

the Back Bay being “trampled” and to the sophistic reasoning that

walking along the trail next to the flood control waterway has

destroyed least tern habitat. Dredging of the Back Bay, control of

nitrate run-off, local erosion control, trash removal and elimination

of mountain bike usage have all had very positive effects.

There has been an increase in numbers and species of birds in

recent years, ostensibly due to these positive measures. The plant

life has also flourished in recent years. The fact is: The Back Bay

looks better than it has in decades.

That residents walk along the edge of the waterway and have not

been confined to the bluff top has not inhibited this increase in

flora and fauna.

There are certain “volunteer” trails that need more aggressive

closure (than planting paddle cactus) in order to prevent erosion,

but for the most part, hikers have respected the area and have chosen

to limit their hiking to a rather small network of well-worn trails.

Park planners should work with this established trail network,

closing redundant trails and trails which are causing serious erosion

problems, and preserving the remaining trails in a manner consistent

with state and national park format.

Five years ago, county park planners proposed a 6-foot-high fence

along Irvine Avenue with park entry points only at Santiago and

University avenues. Local residents pleaded with the City Council to

veto this proposal. The foresight of that council to prevent the

fence construction has preserved one of the best panoramic views in

our city.

Hopefully, the current council has the same insight and

sensitivity to this area.

RICK DAYTON

Newport Beach