Boardwalk not needed around Back Bay
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Regarding the question: Is a boardwalk along the Back Bay
necessary?
Answer: Absolutely not. An asphalt pathway for joggers, skaters
and bikers, and a decomposed granite pathway for walkers and
equestrians already exists at the proposed location. A two-mile
raised platform would be as “overbuilt” and unnecessary as the
galvanized pipe and wire “corrals” that currently enclose the lookout
points. The regional park should be treated with more respect and
less-heavy-handed solutions. Park users do not need to be confined to
the bluff top in order for the Back Bay habitat to flourish. Parks
and Recreation planners should be asking themselves, “Would I find
this solution in Yosemite?” before proposing these types of
solutions.
I also strongly object to the article referring to the trails that
have been used by local residents for decades as “illegal” trails, to
the Back Bay being “trampled” and to the sophistic reasoning that
walking along the trail next to the flood control waterway has
destroyed least tern habitat. Dredging of the Back Bay, control of
nitrate run-off, local erosion control, trash removal and elimination
of mountain bike usage have all had very positive effects.
There has been an increase in numbers and species of birds in
recent years, ostensibly due to these positive measures. The plant
life has also flourished in recent years. The fact is: The Back Bay
looks better than it has in decades.
That residents walk along the edge of the waterway and have not
been confined to the bluff top has not inhibited this increase in
flora and fauna.
There are certain “volunteer” trails that need more aggressive
closure (than planting paddle cactus) in order to prevent erosion,
but for the most part, hikers have respected the area and have chosen
to limit their hiking to a rather small network of well-worn trails.
Park planners should work with this established trail network,
closing redundant trails and trails which are causing serious erosion
problems, and preserving the remaining trails in a manner consistent
with state and national park format.
Five years ago, county park planners proposed a 6-foot-high fence
along Irvine Avenue with park entry points only at Santiago and
University avenues. Local residents pleaded with the City Council to
veto this proposal. The foresight of that council to prevent the
fence construction has preserved one of the best panoramic views in
our city.
Hopefully, the current council has the same insight and
sensitivity to this area.
RICK DAYTON
Newport Beach
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