NEWPORT BEACH : Football Not a Kick for Residents

Residents living near Bonita Creek Park have a problem with weekend visitors who, they say, bring noisy squads of cheerleaders, whistle-blowing referees and supportive booster parents for Junior All-American football games in their neighborhood.

Bringing the issue to City Hall this week, residents who live near the park said they are concerned about the commotion and the potential danger caused when hundreds of players, fans and families descend on the small residential area.

“We’re not against the children or youth sports,” said resident Dan Rabun, “but the park wasn’t designed to handle that level of activity.” The park is south of University Drive between Jamboree Road and MacArthur Boulevard.

Residents complain that loud whistles and cheers interrupt their otherwise peaceful Saturday mornings. A shortage of parking forces visitors to park illegally, they said, and they expressed concern that the increased traffic could lead to disaster for neighborhood children who often run across residential streets.

Residents in the surrounding residential areas have been unhappy about the park since the football group started using it for weeknight practices and weekend games about a year ago. Last year, a neighborhood group aired its concerns at City Hall and asked for a solution.

Most residents moved to the community before the park was built but agreed with the developer’s plans to put a park there. They now argue that the park they agreed to is not the regional-style playground that Bonita Creek has become.

City Manager Robert L. Wynn said there is little the city can do for the residents, since the group is not breaking any city regulations by using the facility.

But the city’s Parks, Recreation and Beaches Department has agreed to discuss the issue and will invite residents of the neighborhood to participate.