Children’s Play Areas OKd for Wieder Park

After a three-hour hearing with dozens of speakers, the City Council this week approved a proposal to leave most of the Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park in its natural state but to build two play areas for children.

The proposal developed jointly by the city and county will keep about 100 acres of the 106-acre park--a long and narrow bluff at the edge of the Bolsa Chica wetlands--as a natural area with native vegetation. About six acres of the park will be developed and operated by the county as recreation areas for children with features such as tot lots, picnic areas, grassy play areas and a half-court basketball court.

Councilman Ralph Bauer cast the only dissenting vote, saying he preferred a “natural, all passive park.”

Dozens of residents and their children who live in nearby communities urged the council to incorporate the play areas into the plans.

“I think a park is necessary. The people and children that want a park are not asking for much . . . a basketball hoop, a couple swings and slide,” said Jocelyn Fee, 10.

Other youths such as Mike Madariaga, 16, opposed any development of the park, saying that the wetlands is a “magic” place that should be protected.

Other residents and environmentalists told the council that the entire park should be preserved as a refuge with native vegetation to provide a buffer between the wetlands and development.

“To find a natural habitat that is so close at hand is a rarity,” said resident Juana Mueller.

But Robert G. Fisher, director of the county’s Harbors, Beaches and Parks department, said, “We think that the two areas can co-exist.”

The council also will pursue a deed restriction, also supported by county staff, to ensure that the area remains a park into perpetuity.

The park will be developed in phases, with the first phase expected to be built within two years.