Work to begin on Bonita Canyon Park

-- Noaki Schwartz

Groundbreaking for the largest sports park in the city of Newport Beach

will commence at 10 a.m. Monday at Bonita Canyon.

On hand will be a number of city leaders, including Mayor John Noyes and

Councilman Tom Thomson, to celebrate the construction of the 33.5-acre

sports park. The ceremony will be held at the construction trailer east

of MacArthur Boulevard and south of Bonita Canyon Drive at the end of Old

Ford Road, near its intersection with Mesa View Road.

The facility will feature three youth baseball fields, three soccer

fields and one multipurpose field. There will also be picnic areas,

walking trails and two restroom facilities.

Completion of the $6.2-million first phase of the park is anticipated by

the middle of next year. Pending future funding, two tennis courts, a

basketball court, additional landscaping and decorative park signs could

also be added.

Planners have left plenty of space for spectator and visitor parking. At

the East Sports Park area, there will be room for 240 cars; the West

Sports Area will have parking for 1,145 cars.

Information: (949) 644-3161.