Supervisors OK Request to Cut Acreage in Park Site

Even as they approved a plan Tuesday that would cut a park site in half, the Orange County supervisors insisted they are committed to providing recreational facilities in South County.

Supervisor Marian Bergeson said she had little choice but to approve a request by the Santa Margarita Co. to reduce a park from 25 acres to 12 acres in the planned community of Rancho Santa Margarita, since the company was also cutting the number of homes they plan to build.

But Bergeson and Supervisor Don Saltarelli asked county staff to conduct a study of park and recreational facilities to make sure the demand for open space is keeping up with rapid development in unincorporated areas.

“We need more recreation and activities for young people,” Bergeson said.

“I think we really need to understand where we are and where we should be,” she added, explaining why the study was needed.

The board action came after several residents in the foothill communities asked supervisors to prevent the park downsizing in Rancho Santa Margarita. They complained that park facilities in the area are so scarce, children are often placed on waiting lists for youth sports teams.

“We’ve got to now stand up and address it,” said Ron Greek, a Coto de Caza resident and activist who led the fight against the park reduction. He said a study will help bring the problem--and its solutions--into focus.

The Santa Margarita Co. contends it has exceeded guidelines for parks in the planned community, and said a lack of parks in neighboring communities is to blame.

In a related action, the board took a preliminary step toward acquiring nearly 700 acres of wilderness to add to its regional parks system.

The board agreed to accept an offer to buy 30 acres of surplus land in the city of Orange for just over $10 million. The sale is subject to state approval since the land was purchased in the mid-1970s using state funds and was originally considered a likely spot for a park.

As a result, the state requires the proceeds of the sale be spent on parks. The county is looking into purchasing just over 130 acres of wilderness in Trabuco Canyon and the 545-acre Barham Ranch, located near Irvine Regional Park in unincorporated Orange County, with the $10 million.

The purchases under consideration will not include playing fields that can be used by the growing number of boys and girls signing up for Little League, softball and soccer each year in South County.