Dana Point : Plan to Upgrade Park Wins Panel Approval

Plans to upgrade Del Obispo Park in Dana Point won unanimous California Coastal Commission approval Wednesday, paving the way for construction of a multipurpose center on the eight-acre park site as well as for other improvements.

Due to get under way this fall, the $1.2-million project will include demolition of an existing structure and construction of a 14,000-square-foot multipurpose building.

David Lewis, administrator of the Capistrano Bay Parks and Recreation District, said the new building, which will include offices, meeting rooms, a kitchen and a stage, will be used by civic organizations, senior citizen groups and sports teams that currently have to scramble for space.

Bleachers, fences, new walkways and landscaping will be added to the park, located on Del Obispo Street north of Coast Highway. An existing baseball diamond will be relocated, and the park’s 50-space parking lot will be expanded to accommodate 149 cars.

Lewis said the project, which still has to go out for bid, will begin this fall and will take eight to nine months to complete. “Although we’d have liked to have the project start yesterday, it will be late October before we break ground,” he said.