Newport opens new pocket park off Coast Highway

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Corona del Mar Pocket Park on Tuesday located beside Hobie Surf Shop. The 1,300 square-foot pocket park, which was donated to the city by the Myrtle Cox family, features a terrace, drought-tolerant landscaping, retaining walls, bench seating, and a walkway. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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Mayor Edward D. Selich speaks during a dedication ceremony for Corona del Mar Pocket Park on Tuesday located beside Hobie Surf Shop. From right, Tim Cox, son of Myrtle Cox, Dave Webb, director of Public Works, and BGB Design Group president Art Guy and senior principal Bob Borthwick. The Cox family has owned property in Newport Beach since 1930. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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Tim Cox, center, son of Mrytle Cox, talks with Mayor Edward D. Selich, right, and Hobie Surf Shop co-owner Mark Christy during a dedication ceremony for Corona del Mar Pocket Park on Tuesday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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City officials gather during a dedication ceremony for Corona del Mar Pocket Park on Tuesday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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BGB Design Group president Art Guy, right, and senior principal Bob Borthwick, center, share a laugh with resident and architect Ron Yeo during a dedication ceremony for Corona del Mar Pocket Park on Tuesday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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Mayor Edward D. Selich, left, and Tim Cox, son of Mrytle Cox, talk during a dedication ceremony for Corona del Mar Pocket Park on Tuesday. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

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The Corona del Mar Pocket Park plaque acknowledges the Mrytle Cox family’s generous donation. The Cox family has owned property in Newport Beach since 1930. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

By Hannah FryStaff Writer

Dec. 1, 2015 4:46 PM PT

Newport Beach city officials on Tuesday unveiled a 1,300-square-foot pocket park in Corona del Mar located along East Coast Highway beneath the Hobie Surf Shop mural.

The park, which was previously a sloped lawn owned by Myrtle Cox, now features terraced, drought-tolerant landscape, retaining walls, bench seating and a walkway.

Mayor Ed Selich first proposed creating a small park on the parcel of land in 2012. After Selich reached out to Cox, she offered to donate the property to the city for the creation of a park, according to a news release.

The city spent $113,976 designing and constructing the park, the release states.