Parking lot not in Fairview plan

Deirdre Newman

Jim Kerins used to bring his mini archeological kit on his childhood

outings to Fairview Park, savoring the opportunity for exploration

and discovery.

Now with five children of his own, he wanted to ensure they would

have the same chance.

But a proposed addition of a lower-level parking lot and a road

connecting it to the upper-level parking lot threatened the sanctity

of the park’s cultural sites.

So Kerins, brought his concerns to the City Council meeting

Tuesday along with other environmentally conscious residents.

He was elated when the council voted 4 to 1 not to include the

parking lot and the connector road in the final design of the

Fairview Park master plan.

“Putting in a road breaks up the special dimension and the

spiritual dimension as well,” Kerins said. “Once the space is gone

there is really nothing left to take our children to for exploration

and discovery.”

The decision was a loss for the disabled, who hoped the park would

provide them better access.

The council’s approval means that the final design will meet the

Coastal Conservancy grant deadline.

The Fairview Park master plan was adopted on Dec. 15, 1997. Since

then, numerous aspects of the plan, including proposals for paved

trails, parking structures, a cultural museum and botanical gardens

have been debated in City Hall.

City leaders have spent hours in the last few years reviewing

questionable items, holding public hearings and hiring experts to

conduct community workshops.

Councilwoman Libby Cowan dissented, repeating her feelings that

it’s the city’s responsibility to ensure accessibility to the park.

In addition, the council also voted to reroute a proposed trail

around the vernal pool instead of through it.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].