COSTA MESA : Schools Suggested for Athletic Fields

School playgrounds could be the answer to the city’s need for more baseball diamonds, basketball courts and softball fields, according to a city-sponsored study looking at park and recreation space in Costa Mesa.

The report, compiled by consultants Wallace, Roberts & Todd of San Diego and reviewed this week by the City Council, is the culmination of eight months of community meetings, staff planning and workshops designed to evaluate the city’s parks and recreation system.

While Costa Mesa is well on its way in giving its residents some breathing room in the form of greenbelts and parkland, it still has a way to go, according to the 200-plus-page report.

“Certain areas of the city fall outside of accepted norms for adequate access to basic neighborhood recreational amenities such as playgrounds and small parks for local families and children,” the study concludes.

One of the key recommendations to help fill the gap is to have the city join forces with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. The report suggests funneling city funds into existing school sites to help beef up the number of athletic fields. According to the report, numerous baseball, softball and soccer fields, along with volleyball courts and a swimming pool, are needed to keep pace with the number of residents who want to use them.

During a brief discussion of the plan this week, Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis expressed her concerns over this approach, calling it a “quick fix” and not a real solution.

“I am disappointed there (are) no long-range plans for land acquisition,” Genis said. “I am really disappointed in the plan. I feel it is a step backward.”

The council did not take formal action on the report and is not expected to do so for several months. The report is still in the working stages and being reviewed by other city boards. However, the city staff is negotiating with school district officials, and $200,000 has been set aside in the upcoming budget if the talks are successful.

Commissioned in 1991, the overall goal of the plan is to have 4.26 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents.

Other suggestions include setting aside 10 acres in Fairview Park for athletic activities and working with developers interested in undeveloped parcels north of the San Diego Freeway to dedicate some property for parks.

One of the areas singled out as severely lacking in open space is the eastern section of the city. It was one of the first areas to be developed and at the time, parkland was not included, said Keith Van Holt, community services director.

“The only way to add parks (now) would be to condemn homes,” said Van Holt, adding that this is not an option being considered. Instead, the consultants suggest buying the Harper School site, which the school district uses, in part, to hold meetings.

The Planning Commission and Parks, Recreation Facilities and Parkway Commission are studying the plan and are expected to make their suggestions to the council in a few weeks. Final recommendations and a vote by the council is expected in July, Van Holt said.