Cove sets up campground

Newport Beach City Councilwoman Leslie Daigle likes the new plans for campgrounds at the old El Morro Village trailer park, but Assemblyman Chuck DeVore criticized it as a waste of tax dollars.

Crystal Cove State Park’s campground construction was expected to begin after the July 4 weekend, Crystal Cove State Park Supt. Ken Kramer said. El Morro Village trailer park residents once called the planned campgrounds home, but now the area will turn into a tourist attraction.

The project is expected to be open to the public by early 2010.

“We are delighted that Newport Beach families will be able to enjoy a fun and safe camping experience close to home,” Daigle said.

The construction was perfect timing because families who are living in a struggling economy won’t have to spend as much money in terms of gas to enjoy ocean camping, Daigle said.

“Ocean camping is a unique experience,” she said.

DeVore, who fought the park project and championed the battle of El Morro Village trailer park residents to keep their leased spots on the coast, said the project is a boondoggle for taxpayers.

“I’m glad to see work finally commencing on the new parking lot for Crystal Cove,” DeVore said in a news release.

“It is over budget and behind schedule, though, as has been the other projects at this state park, costing state taxpayers millions of dollars in overruns during this time of huge deficits,” DeVore said. “We must do a better job of managing state assets. Lastly, I am concerned that the current plan shortchanges public safety.

Hundreds of visitors a day crossing Pacific Coast Highway at that location to get to the beach is an accident waiting to happen.”

A pedestrian crossing with signals was eliminated from the plan, but the existing underpass will continue to link the inland and beach facilities, Kramer said. Daigle concurred, adding that public access was consistent with the coastal act.

“No pedestrians will be allowed to cross the highway,” Kramer said. Volunteer “hosts” will be at the campsite at all times to greet visitors and provide security, he said.

The project is financed by voter-approved Proposition 12 park bond funds.

“This is a project that will provide construction jobs to build the park and tourism visitors to fill the park and spur the Orange Coast economy,” said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks.

“This is one example of what the governor wants in public-private partnerships. We are using public bond funds for a private company to build a visitor destination that is an investment in the future of the local economy.”

The El Moro campground will be the first coastal campground to be added to the system in about 20 years.

With the popularity of coastal park camping, parks officials are predicting the park could be sold out on the first day reservations are taken.

The 35-acre project site is within the boundaries of the 2,791-acre Crystal Cove State Park on one of the last undeveloped stretches of the Orange County coastline.

 A 60-site family campground

 200 day use parking spaces

 Park and school entry upgrades

 Road and trail improvements

 Creek restoration

 Picnic areas and hiking trails

 Native plant and habitat restoration

 An outdoor educational amphitheater

 Water quality improvements

 Restoration of the beach and shoreline

 Interpretive exhibits

 Public restroom facilities

 A lifeguard facility for public safety and protection

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.