IRVINE : Neighborhood Park Plans Make Progress

Plans to transform a narrow 1.3-mile railroad right-of-way into a neighborhood recreation area took a step forward this month with a meeting between Northwood residents and a noted urban designer.

Residents packed a local middle school one Saturday morning two weeks ago to discuss the fledgling park’s design and give their input to San Francisco architect Lawrence Halprin, who volunteered his time to work on the project.

The unusual daylong dialogue produced general agreement on many ideas for the 65-foot-wide sliver of land that runs roughly between Culver Drive and Jeffrey Road.

Residents said they want an eight-foot-wide walking path to run through the middle of the park.

Many participants also agreed that the park should include benches and trash cans but no public restrooms. It should also be connected to nearby Silkwood Park and to Westwood Basics Plus Elementary School, the group suggested.

Other ideas included:

* Planting trees and shrubbery around the area.

* Using drought-resistant plants when possible.

* Installing timer-activated lights throughout the park.

* Taking safety measures to protect pedestrians who must cross busy streets while using the trail.

A design consultant will now draw more detailed plans for the park and present them to the city in March. The project is expected to cost several million dollars.

The issue of how to use the right-of-way has been a contentious one ever since the railroad tracks were removed about a decade ago.

Many residents fought a proposal to use the land as part of a regional bike path.

And while those who attended the meeting did not agree on all points, city officials said the event represented progress.

“Really, I went in skeptical,” said Councilwoman Paula Werner, who attended the meeting. “This process has been going on for years and there’s been divisiveness. But during the course of the day, I think we were really able to think and plan the kind of park we want. I was pleased with the entire course.”