Debating which grass is greener

June Casagrande

While almost everyone welcomes the replanting underway at Castaways

Park, there’s a rift between people who want only native plants and

those who want turf grasses in a small area for picnicking and other

typical park activities.

“There’s definitely two different ways people think would be best

for dealing with the Castaways Park, and it seems like we need more

input from the public on which way to go,” said City Councilman Don

Webb, whose district includes the park.

At a study session on Tuesday, council members got an update on

the replanting now underway at the long-neglected site. The 17-acre

park overlooks the intersection of Coast Highway and Dover Drive,

with stunning views of the Back Bay and the ocean.

At one time, the land was a dirt golf course and, more recently,

the site of the Castaways restaurant. The California State Coastal

Conservancy last year approved a $99,600 grant to restore the natural

habitat with coastal safe scrub, grasslands and wildflower meadows.

It’s possible that a change of plans could cost the city this

grant or even future grants, but some say it’s worth looking into.

“I think it’s worth a meeting with them to see if maybe they would

loosen their requirements because there’s already an asphalt trail

that goes through there. It’s not all natural,” said former Mayor Jan

DeBay, a leader on behalf of putting some turf in the area.

“I feel it would make it more family friendly,” he said. “Young

families would be able to spread a blanket and let the little kids

romp on the grass. We’re only talking about maybe two acres out of

17. I’m just talking about having a little balance there.”

Others say this plan defeats the goal of restoring the area to

100% native plants.

“I’d like to see it back the way it was before white man ever came

to California,” activist Allan Beek said. “You could still lay down a

blanket and enjoy the park. I think it would just be nice to have one

place in the city where things are just like the way they were before

we got here.”

Beek said that a compromise might be to develop just the small,

teardrop-shaped area in southwest corner of the park. He said that

existing foot trails should be left intact, but that the fence that

now runs along the bluff should be removed.

City officials are looking at ways to gather public input on

residents’ preferences.