SEAL BEACH : Crowd Celebrates Its New Volleyball Court

After almost a year of planning, discussion and sometimes heated debate, nearly 100 College Park West residents celebrated the completion of a sand volleyball court at Edison Park. Construction of the court was the first accomplishment of a grass-roots group working to renew the 30-year-old park.

Despite objections from neighbors, the City Council approved plans in July to build the volleyball court and refurbish the playground. A group of College Park West residents has raised more than $6,000 to pay for the project.

“The primary benefit is to have an attractive, safe and inviting place for our children to play,” said resident Lisa Chattler, a leader of the 20-member Edison Park Improvement Assn.

But other residents who live near the park opposed construction of the volleyball court because of concerns about increased noise.

“I think they still feel how they did in the past,” said Mayor George Brown, who attended the picnic and dedication ceremonies Saturday. “Whether people at this park will make too much noise, only time will tell.”

The new volleyball court is the first improvement at the park in 20 years.

The neighborhood group is now working to raise between $15,000 and $18,000 for new playground equipment.

“The playground equipment there is nearly 30 years old,” Chattler said. “The children don’t want to use it, and I wouldn’t want my 2-year-old to go on it. It’s the stuff I played on when I was a kid.”

The local Seaside and Host Lions Clubs and Junior Women’s Club have pledged funds to purchase two picnic tables for the park at a cost of $500 each.

And the Edison Park booster group has planned a fund-raising neighborhood yard and bake sale at the park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24.