Park plans still in dispute

This corrects an earlier version of the story.

The Newport Beach City Council was expected late Tuesday to vote on whether to approve preliminary plans for Sunset Ridge Park over the protests of residents who say sports fields on the site would cause nonstop noise and traffic in their neighborhood.

Newport Crest condominium complex residents say the city is trying to cram too many noisy elements on the site of the future park near their homes. Youth sports advocates claim the city needs more sports fields. Tentative plans for the park include two soccer fields and a baseball diamond.

“We’re looking at trying to squeezing too much in here,” said Newport Crest resident Kristine Adams. “We’re being asked to take on more than our fair share by putting these sports fields on a small piece of property.”

Park designers rearranged plans for Sunset Ridge after residents complained sports fields, a playground and restrooms were too close to their homes. Initial plans for the area had some elements of the park no more than 50 feet from the Newport Crest property line. A baseball backstop blocked some residents’ views of the ocean.

Revised plans push the sports fields farther away from the homes. A curvilinear berm along the edge of the park is meant to act as a buffer between parkgoers and Newport Crest residents.

Residents’ reaction to the changes has been mixed. Many of the residents say they want quieter park with no sports fields. Others worried about crime a park might bring to the area. Many residents believe the park will cause problems with traffic and parking.

“I’m very concerned about the public toilets and the amount of people and transients that can attract,” said Newport Crest resident Katherine White, noting there already had been a number of residential break-ins in her neighborhood this year.

Local youth sports organizers say the city is short on soccer fields, especially in west Newport. The growing popularity of children’s soccer means leagues frequently have problems finding field time for teams in the city.

“I think we’re all in agreement we need more sports fields,” said Gary Wright, a board member for AYSO Region 57.

“I’m just happy to see something done. We should be happy there is not a freeway there as opposed to beautiful fields people can play on.”

Sports organizers said the park won’t be as noisy as residents expect.

A baseball diamond planned for the site won’t attract loud, cheering parents, because it will serve older players in their teens, said Fred Cornwell, president of the Newport Harbor Baseball Assn.

“There are no overzealous parents anymore,” Cornwell said. “The parents are just happy their kids are still playing baseball.”