Cash is greener on the other side

June Casagrande

The money was the least of their worries.

The strings attached to the money, the possibility of offending

the groups offering the money and a wide spectrum of environmental

and community issues, on the other hand, were serious worries of some

of the people who took part in a discussion on Castaways Park on

Tuesday.

The city is considering how to renovate the 17-acre parcel that is

the only open space in town offering views of the Back Bay, the

harbor and the ocean. Last year, the city entered into an agreement

with the California Coastal Conservancy to accept a nearly $100,000

grant to develop the park with native vegetation. But earlier this

year, City Council members and parks commissioners questioned whether

the plan might include about 2 1/2 acres of turf grass where people

could lay out a picnic blanket, fly a kite or kick around a soccer

ball.

The Planning Commission eventually voted to support the turf grass

idea, even though it would mean giving up the Coastal Conservancy

grant. Environmentalists protested, saying the area should be 100%

natural. And as both sides prepared to square off, city staff members

were busy digging up a compromise later dubbed Option 5 -- creating

turf grass-like conditions using a form of native grass called

California Meadow Sedge.

And though that’s the most expensive option, adding up to $124,000

on top of the plan already estimated to cost more than $230,000, it

could be the one that prevails.

“I like the sedge grass,” Councilman Tod Ridgeway said. “I plan on

supporting Option 5.”

Council members agreed to bring back the issue on a regular

council agenda for a vote, but it’s sure to be a difficult decision.

A dozen people spoke at the meeting and though more than half

supported using only native plants there, their reasons were as

diverse as the speakers.

“We signed an agreement on this grant with the Coastal

Conservancy,” Dennis Baker said. “Now, basically, we’re pulling on

their chain again.”

Like city staff, Baker was concerned that the city could alienate

the granting agency with excessive requests for changes to the terms

of the agreement. But others were more concerned with those terms.

The money comes with the condition that the city properly maintain

the native plant habitat for 20 years.

“I fear that by giving power over this park to an agency in

Sacramento for 20 years that we’re doing ourselves a big disservice,”

said Debra Allen, a parks commissioner who supports the turf grass

option.

On her side were former Mayor Jan DeBay, Parks Commissioner Val

Skoro, Councilman Don Webb and others. Opposing the turf grass option

were a who’s who of local environmentalists including Allan Beek, Jan

Vandersloot and Stephanie Barger. But in both camps, it seemed there

were plenty of people who might consider the compromise to be worth

the cost.

“I’m not sure what my personal preference is going to be when this

comes back to council,” Mayor Steve Bromberg said.

Officials don’t know when the matter will come back before them,

but because they’re facing a March deadline to spend the grant money

or lose it, it is likely to be soon.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.