IRVINE : Council Delays OK of Civic Center Park

Hal O’Brien had San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in mind when he envisioned the city’s planned $18.8-million Civic Center Park.

But most council members see the park as a center for community sports and are not willing to drop plans for a 750-seat championship softball stadium and three additional athletic fields.

Council members Tuesday night delayed approval of the proposed park plans to hold an additional community meeting and study proposed alternatives. But they did approve designating a 5 1/2-acre portion of the park for a roller hockey rink.

O’Brien and other residents at the council meeting said they fear the stadium and three nearby athletic fields in the park will generate excessive noise and traffic.

The 36-acre site stretches from Harvard Avenue north to the San Diego Creek Channel.

O’Brien said that instead of creating a “treasure in our back yard,” the planned park would amount to “a glorified batting cage whose principal function is to be rented to out-of-towners over the weekend.”

Councilman Barry J. Hammond, who has long pushed for completion of the park in the face of limited city funding, said the park will be primarily used by youth baseball and soccer teams and adult softball teams in the community.

Councilwoman Christina L. Shea balked at moving ahead with the planned park, even though the city currently has about $1.5 million reserved for park construction.

Shea said uncertainties about potential losses to the city from the county bankruptcy should preclude any park expenditures.

The council will reconsider the proposed park plans on Oct. 24.