New coastal campground in sight at El Morro

July 5th, 2008, 5:00 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Laylan Connelly, staff writer

The land at El Morro will enter into a new chapter starting this week, as a construction team finishes removing last remnants of a once lively community, and starts work on a long-awaited campground at the coast.

The new project will include the first campgrounds to be added to the State Parks system in more than 20 years, and likely the last that will be added. It’s expected to draw about 250,000 to the area in a year, said State Parks spokesman Ken Kramer.

“It’s good news, everyone is going to see that the project is finally underway,” he said.

The State Parks recently awarded a $12 million contract to Los Angeles Engineering, Inc. for the revamp of the land, which sits within the 2,791-acre Crystal Cove State Park. The state is hoping to generate about $1 million each year in park-use revenues from camping, day use and special events.

A group of residents – many who had lived there for decades – were evicted more than two years ago after the state decided it wanted to build the campgrounds, along with a picnic area and public beach. The desolate area has been fenced off and not much has changed since 2006.

El Morro fits snugly between Newport and Laguna, once little beach towns that sprouted into expensive coastal enclaves. Somehow, El Morro remained a snapshot of decades ago, a laid-back and tight-knit community that would get together for Saturday night parties and holiday gatherings.

Some people were wealthy and owned second homes here, while others lived off Social Security.

The departure for many was heartbreaking and difficult.

Many residents in the nearly 300 trailers fought the eviction, and were granted 20-year leases and then a five-year extension in 1999. Many battled the state every step of the way in its effort to create the 35-acre campground. Many residents left during the fight in 2004, with others staying until midnight the night they had to leave, shutting the gate with a lock and shedding tears.
While most of the remaining trailers left behind were taken down by August of 2006, remnants of a once-vibrant community still remain. The construction, scheduled to start Monday, will include taking down remaining buildings, laundry rooms and an office, as well as remaining asphalt.

The funds for the project came from voter-approved Proposition 12 park bond funds.

The state is predicting that when first-day reservations open up for this camp site, they will sell out. For areas such as Doheny State Beach campgrounds, spots in the summer can be difficult to nab.

Here’s what will be there:

66 family camp sites

200 day-use parking spaces

Park and school entry upgrades

Road and trail improvements

Creek restoration

Picnic areas

Hiking trails

Native plant and habitat restoration

An outdoor educational amphitheater

Restoration of the beach and shoreline

Interpretive exhibits