SAN CLEMENTE : Site Plan Funds OKd for Park and School

The City Council this week approved funds to build a long-awaited park near the 1,300 homes in the Marblehead development.

The council voted unanimously to set aside $81,500 to hire a consultant to prepare site plans for the proposed four-acre Marblehead Inland Park and playing fields for the adjoining site of a future school.

The school and park, planned for the intersection of Avenida Vista Hermosa and Via Turqueza, will serve the growing Marblehead community, which is nearly complete after 10 years of construction.

“It has been a high priority for the council to get this park built,” said Bruce Wegener, city parks and recreation manager. “By conservative estimate, we will have it open in about two years.”

The Austin-Hansen Group of San Diego was hired to develop the plans, which can be adopted after at least one public hearing. Wegener said city officials plan to meet with residents to find out what amenities they want built into the park.

The park, to be situated among the craggy bluffs and scenic canyons of north San Clemente, will feature ocean views, walking trails, playground facilities and a youth playing field, Wegener said.

“It’s fairly wide open and has good public access,” he said. “I think it’s a good site.”

The consultant fees will also pay for plans to develop the adjoining school site.

The city is talking with the Capistrano Unified School District about landscaping playing fields at the future school site to blend in with the park, Wegener said.

In return for developing the school property, the district could allow public access to the land and repay the city for landscaping work, Wegener said.

The cost for building the park is estimated at $500,000, and developing the playing fields would cost another $350,000.

“This way, the neighborhood could enjoy the land without having to wait three to five years before the school is built,” Wegener said.