Vision for Lower Castaways parcel takes shape

The Newport Beach City Council gave a nod of support Tuesday toward the development of open space at the northeast corner of Dover Drive and East Coast Highway.

Known as the Lower Castaways, the 4-acre parcel is being reconceived as a hub for bikers, hikers and runners as they use the trails surrounding the land. The plan may include a pier and a “grand” staircase that links the park to the upper castaways.

The plan is preliminary, but council members lauded a committee’s efforts to come up with a proposal for the land, which was given to the city by the Irvine Co. in exchange for separate development rights in 2008.

The largely vacant site has been used for temporary storage of equipment and parking overflow, but has been significantly underutilized overall, said David Girling, a harbor commissioner who presented the committee’s findings during the council’s study session.

After numerous meetings over the past year and a half, the committee proposed a plan to council members that involved a parking lot, public restrooms and a flat, grassy area.

The group had considered a range of ideas, including a restaurant, commercial boat launch and community garden.

“Everything about this is on the table. Even the palm trees,” Girling said.

The stairway leading to the Upper Castaways could be the focal point, incorporating workout stations along the way. Or a smaller version could zig-zag up the side of the bluff instead, Girling explained.

As for the pier, the group had initially believed that wildlife protection policies would make building any structure in the bay impossible. But a pier may be feasible if built under the bridge that connects either side of East Coast Highway, Girling said.

The cost of the proposed project is unknown. In addition to formal approval from the council, regulatory agencies such as the California Coastal Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife will also need to sign off on the project.