READERS RESPOND

AT ISSUE: We asked readers what they thought about paved trails at

Fairview Park in Costa Mesa.

Just how do you convert a grassy park, used and enjoyed by many, to a

“nature preserve of native foliage”?

Very simple:

1. Entrust it to the Costa Mesa Planning Commission and/or

2. Convert the dirt trails to either asphalt or concrete.

I have only one question: Which category does asphalt/concrete come

under -- nature or native foliage?

A. M. GRANT

Newport Beach

My family enjoys the park as is for kite flying and biking. Paving

will destroy the natural setting that we enjoy.

VICTOR LEE

Orange

In its present form, Fairview is a people’s park. The trails, both

planned and unplanned, serve the diverse needs of the people who use

them, and in many cases made them.

The proposed “improvements” are designed by bureaucrats to serve the

needs of bureaucrats. The Planning Commission and City Council should

listen to the voices of the citizens as expressed by the many comments

offered at the commission meeting Monday night.

DAVID GOSS

Costa Mesa

I would prefer that the city leave most of the trails alone. They make

wonderful walking and bike riding paths, which both kids and adults

enjoy. It’s one of the few local areas that one can explore without

coming across concrete or paved pathways.

We enjoy the park the way it is.

ROSE PEREZ

Newport Beach

I’m not sure why the Planning Commission would even consider paving

the trails in Fairview Park, as if there’s not already enough cement in

Orange County, but I’m opposed to the idea. Our city is already so

limited to anything in it’s natural state. The trails are hard packed

dirt, solid enough for most bikes and certainly for all walkers and great

for joggers (easier on the knees than cement or asphalt). One paved trail

to get people to the riverbed and back would make sense but the rest

should be kept as dirt trails.

JENNIFER LUNDBERG

Costa Mesa

I’m a neighbor of Fairview Park. I love to walk through the park for

exercise and also enjoy driving past it, taking in the views of such a

nice open space.

I would like to see the Planning Commission keep the park as close to

its present state as possible. Many of us appreciate the dirt trails for

all types of uses.

I understand that some paving is helpful for maintenance and for

handicap accessibility, but I hope the Planning Commission takes into

consideration the fact that many, many people use and enjoy the park in

its present state.

SUSAN GRIFFITH

Costa Mesa

No, the city should not pave the dirt trails at Fairview Park. One of

the most charming and best parts of the parks in Costa Mesa is leaving

them in as natural a state as possible.

I have no particular interest in the bicycling and yet I love the dirt

trails.

My 2 1/2-year-old granddaughter was there with me Sunday and was very

comfortable on the trails. She enjoyed them as they are.

I can see no advantage to paving them. I live by Canyon Park and also

love the trails there through the park. There is a paved path also, but

most people enjoy and prefer the natural unpaved trails.

Fairview Park trails are great as they are.

KATHY BYRD

Costa Mesa

My son and I are both registered voters. We would like to vote for

leaving Fairview Park as it is -- dirt trails, etc.

We use the park at least twice a week for running, hiking and mountain

biking. Paving anything would be a sin.

The little bit of nature we have left should be left as it is. Why do

we have to pave over paradise? Use the money to improve already

established parks and soccer fields. Fairview Park needs nothing more. We

love it as is.

Please -- no asphalt.

MARILYN FRENZ and

W. CLAYTON FRENZ

Costa Mesa