Perils of a Park

Stewart and Betty Berkshire, like many of their neighbors, moved to Marina Park Mobile Home Park to live in retirement in what they consider one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Indeed, the spot is idyllic. The park lies on a peaceful stretch of sand along Balboa peninsula, and all the homes have stunning views of Newport Harbor. From the front porch of the home where they have lived 10 years, the Berkshires watch brown pelicans and other sea birds fish and swim. There is a daily parade of picturesque boats that cruise the channel, which is just yards from their home.

Now, however, the Berkshires and their neighbors are worried that they may lose their bay-side homes.

The city, which owns the property, is considering what to do with the land when the lease expires in 2000. On Monday, the City Council will hear a consultant’s report that says the city would make more money if the park were replaced by a hotel and restaurant.

“I really don’t understand why they are trying so hard to get rid of us,” said Stewart Berkshire, 73.

Uncertainty regarding the park’s future arises as the city undertakes a massive rehabilitation of Balboa.

The goal is to clean up the area, draw more tourists and increase city revenue.

The city earns about $525,000 annually by leasing the 10.7-acre parcel to Marina Park residents, whose rents range from $730 to $1,034 a month.

The land, north of Balboa Boulevard between 15th and 18th Streets, is also occupied by an American Legion hall and a Girl Scout center. The hall rents for $300 a month and the Scouts pay a nominal $1 per year.

A consultant who studied the land concluded that the city could more than double its lease proceeds, to $1.38 million a year, if a hotel and restaurant were built on the site.

Councilman John W. Hedges said that the council is simply exploring its options and that no decisions have been made regarding the future of the mobile home park.

The residents can’t believe the city is even considering evicting them.

They say that getting rid of the mobile home park wouldn’t move the city any closer to its goal of revitalizing the area.

The park has been there 40 years and in that time has been a consistent revenue source for the city, they say. Hotels and restaurants, they point out, are not a guaranteed source of income for the city because many of them fail, including many recent ventures on Balboa.

“I really believe this casts some doubt on the validity of the report,” said Stewart Berkshire, a retired accounting professor. “That is the part that is really upsetting.”

Furthermore, the residents say, the park is one of the few quiet spots on the peninsula, which over the years has gained a reputation as Newport Beach’s party destination.

In recent years, the city has cracked down on both the noisy bars and loud house parties that have characterized life on Balboa. In contrast, the mostly senior citizens who live at Marina Park are quiet and involved in the community, residents said.

They clean the beach and recently organized a fund drive that raised $2,400 for new books at Newport Elementary School.

“One thing the city would be losing if they lose Marina Park is a bunch of volunteers, people who care about the community,” said Betty Berkshire.

“They wouldn’t get that with a hotel.”

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NEIGHBORHOODS / MARINA PARK MOBILE HOME PARK

Bounded by: Balboa Boulevard on the south, 18th Street on the west, 15th Street on the east and Newport Harbor on the north.

Population: About 58.

Hot topic: The lease on the city-owned park expires in 2000 and city officials are considering evicting the mobile home tenants to make way for new development.