State Parks officials, residents clash over new state beach park plan

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Residents are furious that the state seems to favor sage brush over children.

By Reeve T. Schley/Special to The Malibu Times

A backlash of opposition from Malibu residents faced California Department of State Parks and Recreation (DPR) officials last week over proposals in the General Plan amendment for Malibu Lagoon State Beach.

At a meeting held at the Point Dume Elementary School on May 9, DPR officials outlined the proposal, which will amend unit boundaries to include the Malibu Pier, Malibu Bluffs Park and the North Side Area of Malibu Lagoon-properties the state already owns-as part of Malibu Lagoon State Beach.

These areas have been under state ownership for more than 20 years and by law need to be assigned to a specific park unit.

“It has gotten to the point where we need to include these properties in a state park. The general plan is to establish objectives with what we want to do with these properties,” said Hayden Sohm, Malibu Sector Superintendent of the DPR.

One of the state’s objectives is to return Malibu Bluffs to its natural habitat. To do so, the DPR plans on kicking Little Leaguers off the three acres of fields at the park to plant coastal sage scrub and native grasses, even though there are presently 86 acres of open grassland at the bluffs.

A notice of preparation posted on the DPR’s Web site described Thursday’s meeting as a “public workshop” and asked for the public’s involvement in the development of the new General Plan. Yet, as the meeting progressed, residents realized their input was falling on deaf ears.

Residents yelled that the meeting was a “sham” and a “sales pitch,” and were indignant at the state’s plan to do away with the Bluffs fields and add new fields on an adjacent site-a 25-acre parcel of land owned by Crummer Trust.

They said building the new fields-estimated to cost $2.6 million-is “absurd” because the resulting fields would replicate what already exists.

They said Malibu lacks ball fields and that the DPR already has enough open space for its plans. Some inquired into the possibility of keeping the current ball fields while building the new ones.

Tom Ashley, speaking on behalf of the Crummer family, owners of Crummer Trust, outlined the plan that would create a full-size soccer field, 128 parking places, a pony field and a Little League field on property donated by the Crummers to the city. The rest of the property will be divided into two-acre housing lots.

Ashley said the Crummers would not agree to keep the existing fields while building new ones on their property.

After nearly an hour of battle between DPR officials and Malibu residents the meeting ended.

“When you step out there and see that native California expanse, that is what we are trying to capture,” said Russ Guiney, the DPR’s Angeles District Superintendent. “As you drive up to Bluffs Park, the one thing that we want people to see is that expanse, and right now we see backstops.”

The DPR bought Malibu Bluffs in 1979 and in 1983 the City of Malibu moved the Little League fields from Malibu Lagoon to the Bluffs by signing a temporary agreement with the state.

Over the years that agreement has been renewed, and the state plans on extending the current contract, ending on May 31, for another year because the city has showed good faith in efforts to relocate the fields. After that, there are no further plans to renew the contract.

Guiney also said the staff of the California Coastal Commission is ready to recommend the project to the Commission. An Environmental Impact Report is currently being conducted on the proposal.

The DPR also plans on revamping the Malibu Pier to allow fishing, boating and concessionaires, and the incorporation of the North Side Area as 30-acre riparian sanctuary. Also slated for construction at Malibu Bluffs is a visitor center, picnic facilities, hiking trails and restrooms.

The pier, purchased by the state in 1980, will be restored to its original 1950 era condition, and will feature concession stands compatible with the pier’s history. The completion of the pier is scheduled for the end of 2003 and 14 concessionaires have already expressed interest in renting space.

The DPR plans to rebuild a picnic Ramada and red barn at the North Side Area and create trails for hiking. A parking lot for visitors is to be located on the north side of PCH, near the entrance to Serra Retreat.