Crystal Cove a favored state park

Deirdre Newman

The picturesque park that sits between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach

was named one of the favorites in the state Wednesday, based on a

survey conducted by the California State Parks Foundation.

The survey was part of the foundation’s inaugural “State of Our

State Parks” report.

The main thrust of the report is that the state park system is in

dire financial straits since funding has not kept pace with need

while visitation has mushroomed in the last two years. Crystal Cove

bucks this trend -- it will get about $13 million for the first phase

of restoration from a state bond and the California Coastal

Commission.

“I think Crystal Cove is really doing quite well,” said Barbara

Hill, acting director of the foundation.

The report was based on documents, research, publications and an

online survey of 200 California residents, with the goal of

identifying strengths and weaknesses within the park system related

to funding, policy or oversight.

The survey found that 81% of respondents would support a sales tax

increase of one-tenth of 1% to ensure the state parks are funded in

the appropriate amount. The operation and maintenance of state parks

is only being funded at 30% of need -- with no increase since 1996.

One of the survey questions asked respondents which state park was

their favorite. While there was no clear winner, Crystal Cove was

mentioned as one of the favorites, along with parks such as Big Basin

Redwoods and Angel Island.

Crystal Cove activist Jeannette Merrilees said she’s not

surprised.

“I think it’s certainly true, being an oceanfront park and it has

some historical interest in the historic district,” Merrilees said.

“And it’s one of the most secluded, broad beaches anywhere.”

But Merrilees said she was concerned about the future of the

residents of the El Morro Village mobile home park, which are in the

Laguna Beach portion of the park. Although they are supposed to

vacate the park by the end of the year so the state can open the area

up as a public beach, they have just hired a new lobbyist to help

them stay longer, Merrilees said.

The first-phase of the two-part restoration effort at Crystal

Cove, set to begin in the next few weeks, includes restoration of 22

of the park’s 46 historic beach cottages as well as new public

facilities in the park’s historic district, such as a visitors’

station at the park entrance, a cultural center and a pedestrian

bridge over Los Trancos Creek.