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.
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