Some Knott’s Neighbors Not Amused : Dispute: Residents say noise and other problems spill over onto their streets, especially during special events. They add, though, that theme park officials are quick to respond to complaints.

BUENA PARK — Jim Hobbs remembers how the neighborhood was surrounded by orange groves and cornfields 34 years ago when he bought his home in a tract across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm.

“The first 15 years were beautiful,” said Hobbs, 63. “It was like heaven.”

But as Knott’s evolved from a modest amusement park into a world-class attraction with roller coasters and a 20-story Sky Jump, some nearby homeowners were anything but thrilled.

They complain that the famous theme park has changed the quality of life since the earlier days of stagecoach and burro rides and free admission. Now, they say, noise, traffic, loitering, littering and drinking sometimes spill over onto their streets, although Knott’s has tried hard to be a good neighbor.

Residents said they can live peacefully next to Knott’s on most days, but it is during special events--such as the Halloween Haunt in October, summertime concerts or the recent New Year’s Eve all-night party--that it is not pleasant being neighbors with the nation’s oldest theme park.

For example, the park’s recent New Year’s Eve “rave” dance that carried on until 5 a.m. and drew about 17,000 people, mostly a younger crowd, “was the worst it’s ever been,” Hobbs said. Buena Park police estimated they received 30 to 40 calls from residents upset by noise and traffic.

And some New Year’s Eve party-goers vandalized buildings along Beach Boulevard and neighborhood block walls along Western and Crescent avenues with graffiti.

“It’s the first incident we’ve experienced--we’ve never had the graffiti like this rave party did,” said city Parks Supt. Rudy Juarez, who is in charge of graffiti removal.

“It was just incredible,” he said, adding that at least a dozen businesses contacted the city to remove graffiti. Clean-up crews spent the next day removing the markings--and the city billed Knott’s $989.72 for the work.

Knott’s officials agreed that the party caused problems.

“I think everyone concerned agreed that this was not a wise thing and will not be done again,” said Russell Knott, 77, son of founder Walter Knott and a general partner of the family-owned amusement park. “It did create some problems for the city, Knott’s and our neighbors.

“I might of complained myself if I lived a block away.”

Since Walter Knott started growing berries 73 years ago and his wife, Cordelia, began serving her first chicken dinners in 1934, Knott’s has grown into a major tourist attraction that draws an estimated 4 million people annually.

Despite grousing, many neighbors feel a fondness for Knott’s, pointing out that the park has made a serious effort to solve any problems called to its attention. For them, this neighborhood is home, and they wouldn’t think of leaving.

The middle-class neighborhoods of simple stucco tract homes near the park were built in the late 1950s--after the Knott family had established its Ghost Town and moved in the Calico Railroad, its well-known steam-powered train.

Knott acknowledged that years ago, if his family had the money or the foresight, “We would have bought more land around us.” But he believes that despite the amusement park’s growth, it is compatible with the neighborhoods.

“We do create some noise and traffic,” Knott said. “But I certainly don’t consider what we do could be construed as a nuisance.”

Knott said the park is sensitive to residents’ concerns--and that they try to be good neighbors.

“Their concerns are ours because we have to live together,” he said.

Buena Park officials also said the city takes measures to ensure the peace and quiet of the neighborhoods. Officials don’t regard the park as a major nuisance.

‘When you consider 4 million people in and out of the site for entertainment purposes, I can count on one hand complaints on noise and traffic,” said City Manager Kevin O’Rourke.

“We don’t discount them, but when they occur, Knott’s has always tried to work with the issues and tried to be good neighbors,” he said.

O’Rourke also pointed out that Knott’s is the city’s leading producer of sales-tax revenue, generating between $400,000 and $500,000 a year to city coffers.

During the past decade, Knott’s has tried to make amends for any problems it may cause. For example, Knott’s paid for sound-proof windows on Hobbs’ home as well as his neighbor’s. Knott’s also put up a 10-foot high sound wall along Western Avenue because of noise, health and earthquake concerns residents had about the $10-million Big Foot Rapids ride, built in 1988.

And signs have been posted on residential streets to warn Knott’s visitors not to park in the neighborhood.

Resident Lois Aldrich, who with her husband, Harry, moved to the neighborhood 32 years ago, said the only time she ever complained was years ago about Knott’s gypsy camp, no longer an attraction.

“They’d sing all night and make a lot of noise till the park closed,” she said.

She took her complaint to the top.

“Walter Knott was a sweet old man,” she said. “He always aimed to please. Any complaint we had, he made every effort to fix it.”

Aldrich, 66, said she also took care of the problem: “We put in central air and kept the windows shut.”

Despite the occasional inconveniences, residents say they have generally become used to living next to the theme park.

Resident Michael McCleery, 34, who bought his “fixer-upper” home five years ago, said that “when you buy here, it’s foolish” not to expect some problems.

“I feel they were there long before I was,” said resident Dorothy Ogan, 66, who has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years and in Buena Park since 1947.

“Anymore, I wouldn’t know any other place,” she said. “I’ve lived here so long and my neighbors are all real nice.”

Life With Knotts Neighborhood complaining of noise from Knott’s Berry Farm