SAN CLEMENTE : Max Berg Plaza Park Renovation Complete

Even before the construction fences around the newly renovated Max Berg Plaza Park came down Monday morning, children were already sneaking through to play on the gleaming new playground equipment.

By midafternoon, the fences were gone and at least 100 people were on hand to celebrate the much-anticipated reopening of the city’s oldest park and to check out its $750,000 make-over.

“It’s a wonderful park, and we’re glad it’s reopened,” Mayor Joseph Anderson said. “We certainly hope the city will enjoy it for many years to come.”

Probably no one was more excited about the reopening of the four-acre facility than Max Berg himself, the former San Clemente city clerk in whose honor the park was named in 1985.

“I just hope it’s used to its fullest extent,” said Berg, who was married in a church across the street from the park and worked briefly at neighboring Las Palmas school soon after moving to San Clemente in 1946.

“It’s just funny how things come full circle,” he said.

Built in 1928 by city founder Ole Hanson, the site has been restored to reflect his “Spanish Village by the Sea” vision, with red paved paths, tile roofs, hanging walkways and white walls.

For the renovation, “the park was basically demolished except for the existing trees,” city park planner John Beck said.

A lighted, paved plaza and a stage for community events now stands in the center of the park, surrounded by a rose garden, four preserved fountains dating back to the original park, two enhanced playgrounds, picnic areas and new bathrooms.

Construction crews also installed new irrigation and utility lines.

“I’m glad to see it redone in a way in which the whole community can benefit,” said city park commissioner Dottie Prohaska, who played in the park as a child.

City officials decided in 1985 to rehabilitate the park, which had deteriorated through the years. Funds for the project were collected from developer’s fees and state grants.