Parks/Open Space

By Sandra Lee "Sandy" Genis

Sandy Genis outlines strategies to preserve open space.

SANDY GENIS FOR SUPERVISOR

We must maintain open space for a variety of functions, including active recreation, personal relaxation, and habitat preservation. The Second District has relatively little County parkland when compared to other areas of the County. Thus, preservation of our remaining opportunities must be a priority. Public access to our public open space cannot be compromised.

Illustrating her commitment to parks and open space, Sandy Genis has:

• Fought off attempts to construct an additional golf course in addition to the two existing eighteen hole public courses in Costa Mesa in Fairview/Talbert park.

• Consistently battled to preserve Fairview Park for "passive" uses such as hiking and picnicking.

• Voted to fund additional active recreation facilities such as ball fields in other, less sensitive parks and on school grounds in joint use with the school district.

• Served on the board of the Orange County Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks and of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, working to preserve open space at the Santa Ana River mouth and at Bolsa Chica, respectively.

• Spoken out in public hearings against construction of an additional golf course at Mile Square park in the existing hobby area, which will leave our children short changed.

• Participated in a coalition currently fighting efforts to establish a luxury resort, with only limited public access, on our public parkland at Crystal Cove.

On the Board of Supervisors, Sandy will vote to:

• Preserve all of Bolsa Chica.

• Maximize open space along the Santa Ana River, in furtherance of the "riverpark" concept.

• Target park acquisition funds to the underserved northwest area of the County and to sensitive habitat areas.

• Pursue other means of preserving open space including dedication, swaps for surplus properties, and transfers of development rights.

• Maximize access to public parkland for our children.

• Seek restoration of Harbors, Beaches and Parks funds specifically diverted for payment of bankruptcy notes, as bankruptcy recovery proceeds.