Saving Capo Beach - Workshop to Consider Options

"OC Parks has been working hard on design alternatives for Capistrano Beach. We look forward to sharing them with the public at our upcoming workshop and hearing their comments" said Scott Thomas, OC Parks Planning and Design Manager.

OC Parks will be holding its second public workshop on its long term Master Plan for Capistrano Beach Park on Wednesday, February 26th at 6 PM. This eagerly awaited public event will be held at the OC Sailing and Events Center, 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point 92629, next to Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor.

Residents of Capistrano Beach were devastated in the fall of 2018 when the beautiful boardwalk along the shoreline at namesake Capistrano Beach Park was ripped away from its pilings during a storm surge and literally fell into the Pacific. For some time, they'd been watching erosive wave action damage concrete sidewalks, break up asphalt and toss concrete trash bins and benches around the cobble strewn parking lot like toys. But this was something far more devastating. In the coming months, locals watched in dismay as OC Parks was forced to remove damaged infrastructure including the basketball court, entire boardwalk and restroom building. Their once pretty little park became something else entirely.

Parks staff worked hard to shore up what was left, and with the help of emergency measures endorsed by the California Coastal Commission, were able to protect some of the infrastructure and install k-rails to keep cobble and sand debris on the shore side of the parking lot. To their credit, they were able to reopen the park to the public by Memorial Day, and installed temporary fencing and sand bags to protect the area as much as possible while a long term master plan got underway. Local advocacy group Capo Cares lauded OC Parks’ efforts and thanked the agency for restoring and maintaining public use throughout this process. An added perk, last year’s decision to allow leashed dogs on the beach (except June 15 to September 10 when hours are restricted) was well received by local pet owners.

In October 2019 the first public workshop was held to explain the challenges at the site and obtain public input. About 100 citizens from 13 different zip codes attended the event, with 47% representing Capo Beach. 75% of attendees voted to protect (63%) or accommodate (12%) coastal hazards. Only 6% favored retreat and the remaining 19% favored a hybrid solution. Suggestions for what attendees would like to see at the site were far ranging, with top priorities favoring restoring and maintaining the bike/pedestrian path, creating and expanding a sandy beach, restrooms, picnic areas and ease of beach access.

At this second workshop, the public will be eager to weigh in on three design options for this beloved little park. "Capo Beach Park is such an important part of our community", said long time local resident, Carol Wilson. "Neighbors walk their dogs here daily. Our kids grew up on this beach, with picnics and campfires and hanging with friends. What would Capo Beach be without its beach?"