Over El Morro, a new dawn is ready to break

The party’s over for some folks at El Morro Village, the long-standing mobile-home park with some 300 units at what is now Crystal Cove State Park.

But the party’s just beginning for the public, who will now be able to enjoy the same serene sunsets and fabulous beaches that only a few had access to for more than 70 years.

And what a party it was for residents who fought to keep their “good life” going at the public-owned beach for more than 20 years after they were supposed to be out.

Extension after extension was granted, to the point where many probably thought they’d never have to leave.

This was not the first battle over Crystal Cove.

At another beachfront hamlet a bit north of the El Morro site, the Crystal Cove cottagers also fought to keep their dwellings and beach lifestyle from being routed by the state.

The cottages are a collection of dwellings put up over the years under the nose of the Irvine Co., original owners of the coastal area, which allowed its use as a tropical-themed movie set in the silent film era but would countenance no development.

The permanent cottages evolved from original tent dwellings that were permitted only in the summertime.

For some 60 years, the cottagers enjoyed their own “Gilligan’s Island,” quietly improving their homes on the sandy slopes, until the land was sold to the state and reality set in. What was once a spot reserved for the few would be opened to the public.

The cove cottagers also mounted a spirited defense of their paradise, but eventually came to the conclusion that it was better to work with the state and try to salvage their now-historic spot than allow bull-dozers to destroy it.

Forward-thinking and historic-minded people got together and organized fundraisers and worked with state park officials to create a unique amenity for the public.

The cottages are being renovated and are expected to open to the public in the spring.

That’s a happy ending, if ever there could be one.

As for El Morro villagers, there is still a lot of bitterness and disappointment, and perhaps disbelief, that the end has come.

The last weekend at El Morro Village was last weekend, and there was a large gathering saying goodbye ? and making some unpleasant statements as well, with graffiti and broken windows, park rangers reported.

It’s unfortunate that emotions were allowed to overflow, but perhaps it’s inevitable given the pitched battle over this prime turf.

We can already see a change at El Morro, with the last residents having packed up and gone.

Anyone driving by the beachside trailer park over the past year was greeted with a gate and a gatekeeper whose job it was to keep the public off public land.

The gate is now gone, and now the public ? and former El Morro residents too ? will be able to bask in the Crystal Cove sun.

Let’s get this party started.