Future of Crystal Cove

The headline “A Cloud Hangs Over Crystal Cove’s Future” was a bit of a misnomer. Crystal Cove and its beachfront cottages belong to the people of California and the plans to open this area to public use were firmed up many years ago when the taxpayers spent $32.6 million to acquire 1,898 acres of the Irvine Ranch, including the historic beachfront cottage district.

The private citizens renting the state-owned cottages at Crystal Cove have known for almost 10 years that their tenancy of public parkland would have to end in 1993 so the state could finally implement the Crystal Cove State Park general plan. There had been plans for eviction of the tenants soon after the park purchase in 1979, but a compromise was reached whereby the renters were given an additional 10-year lease in lieu of the state paying relocation costs to them.

I can understand why, even after being given a decade’s notice, some of them may be reluctant to move.

But with the tremendous pressure on government to provide expanded parks and recreation opportunities for all California, it would not be fiscally, morally or legally prudent to allow a fortunate few to be the sole beneficiaries of such a rare public resource as Crystal Cove.

DONALD W. MURPHY

Director

Dept. of Parks and Recreation

Sacramento