As the Malibu Little League starts up its 2002 season at the endangered Bluffs ball fields, which may soon be repossessed by State Parks, some Malibu residents stand ready to bat for additional fields in the western end of town.
Two Malibu residents decided to take matters into their own hands and designed a park that could house ball fields on city-owned property up in Trancas Canyon.
Longtime Malibu resident Doug O’Brien and architect Ed Niles conceptually designed a park that could be built on a 15-acre parcel that was donated to the city in January.
At present, the property is unused, but if O’Brien had it his way, it would become a new center point for the city’s young ball players as it could accommodate at least two ball fields.
“There is quite a bit of flat land on the property,” said O’Brien.
Niles agreed. “I have supported for years that we have recreational facilities in Malibu, and not just in one place,” said the architect.
“This particular place was a baseball field in the ’60s,” he added.
In the design, the park would include two baseball fields and a soccer field overlay. There would also be two tennis courts and a basketball court that could be used as a roller hockey ring as well. The property could also accommodate a 10,000 square foot community center that would sit above the fields and 140 parking spaces.
“It may be a bit aggressive for the people in the community in the sense that other people would come into the community, but it would be very exciting and give West End residents a place to go,” said Niles.
Councilmember Ken Kearsley agreed the city needs more ball fields.
This need was confirmed as he and a group of concerned residents drafted a 20/20 strategic plan for Malibu. As the group looks 20 to 30 years down the line, they determined that six ball fields would be needed in the city even today.
However, to come into existence, the park idea would have to be evaluated by the Malibu Parks and Recreation Commission and be scrutinized by residents in the area before the commission could make recommendations to the City Council.
“The Parks and Recs Commission and people who live there have to have a say in it,” said Kearsley.
“It’s kind of hilly and there is one little area that possibly could support a ball field or a park or combination of the two,” he noted.
But traffic impacts, water drainage and grading matters would have to be considered before any plans can be made, said Kearsley.
The park has not been brought forward to the city in any official capacity yet, explained Paul Adams, Parks and Recreation director.
Thus far, O’Brien, who is a Parks and Recreation commission member, presented it unofficially as an individual to the commission.
Earlier this year, the City Council directed Parks and Recreation to hold public meetings to get an idea of what types of facilities the city could have on the Trancas property.
Adams said everybody is excited the city has some land that hopefully will be developed into a park.
“Many people want a park, but the final decision will be made by the council after public input has been heard,” he said.
As he discussed the timeline for this project, Adams said he hopes to have the workshops completed and possibly some information back to the council before the summer.
However, O’Brien, who would rather spend time with young ball players on a field than at a senior citizen center, still views the ball field park as a necessary amenity that needs to be built as soon as possible.
And even if these fields come into existence, “the city will still need to retain the Bluffs fields,” he said.
“We still need the bluffs and I think the Crummer Trust deal is fantastic, but it will not provide enough fields for Malibu as a whole,” concluded O’Brien.
While the cost to build the park has not been determined, O’Brien also said the funds should come from the city’s general funds.
But Kearsley said the city’s first priority is health and safety so the city is keeping a chunk of the general funds for that purpose.
“Our response is to provide for the health, welfare and safety of our residents,” he said.
“If we had passed the $15 million open land bond issue that O’Brien fought so hard against, we would have the money to develop this place,” said Kearsley.
Kearsley appointed O’Brien to the Parks and Recreation Commission two years ago because he was involved with the city’s youth recreational activities.
While the idea of a park in the proposed area appeals to many, some believe the property may be too removed for a community recreation center.