Californians have rights to El Morro Fern...

Californians have rights to El Morro

Fern Pirkle stated the facts clearly in Wednesday’s letter to the

editor. El Morro park belongs to the people of the state of

California. The main argument I have seen against a state park is

that there could be danger to children from campers at the park. This

is a specious argument by folks who do not want to give up what they

have enjoyed at the state’s expense for many years.

Many schools are adjacent to parks, and it is considered a

benefit. The schools can share the facilities with the community, and

both have better facilities. Also, many parks are adjacent to

neighborhoods where children live and allow for greater potential

access to a wider pool of children.

In reality, the location of parks near homes tends to increase

property values and ease of selling.

For example, Tustin Sports Park in Tustin Ranch and Centennial

Park in Tustin are directly next to, or inside, tracts of homes. The

new Bonita Canyon Sports Park in Newport Beach is directly adjacent

to homes. These are just a few examples of parks as a selling point

for an area.

It is the responsibility of the parents and community to ensure

their children’s safety in a setting. Campers represent no more or

less harm to children than recreational park users.

Environmental concerns about the park can be addressed in the way

the park is developed. Low-impact camping should have less effect

than the existing trailers, which have full plumbing and green lawns.

The state bought the park for all to enjoy, and it should be made

available to the state’s residents.

LAURA C. CURRAN

Newport Beach

El Toro should carry on its civil service

The impact of the wildfires on our region prove, yet once again,

the enormous value of reusing the land at the former El Toro Marine

Corps Air Station as an operational airfield. It’s location is

perfect for stationing firefighting resources (land and air), as well

as standing by as backup runways for Marine Corp Air Stations Miramar

and Camp Pendleton. Not to mention the fact that Long Beach Airport

and John Wayne Airport are capacity-limited. Maybe it’s time for the

voters to revisit the old misguided Measure W that eliminated this

opportunity?

GARY SIMON

Huntington Beach

Touched by stories of coincidence

In response to two recent letters in the Mailbag, I just thank God

that Leslie Louvier and Flo Martin shared their beautiful, spiritual

and psychic stories for all of your readers. It was particularly

meaningful for me to read Martin’s story, because I have the

privilege to call her friend for many years.

Now, when we share a Bulgarian folk dance together, I will always

remember yellow flowers. Thanks.

LOGAN LOCKABEY

Costa Mesa