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Commentary: Pretty and pristine Talbert Park? Think again

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For 35 years I have lived near Talbert Regional Park, and in those years, I have seen Talbert grow steadily worse under the “care” of Orange County.

While Costa Mesa residents whine about Banning Ranch or panic over Fairview Park, they seem to have forgotten about Talbert.

The problems add up: The ever-growing Sheep Hills destroy the flora and fauna. Homeless people make camps and start wildfires. Trash collects. The coyote population grows. Ruts and pits form in the trails. Illegal fishing continues in Victoria Pond.

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The fences meant to keep people out have rotted or been cut down. Dog owners allow their pets to run free, and if you remind them that their animals should be on a leash, they’ll scream at you. The people illegally fishing will claim that they practice catch and release, which is just as damaging to a fish population that’s not replenished by restocking.

I have tried to get OC Parks out there. I have even

sent pictures to point out just where the problems are.

For a brief time I had given up until I talked to Councilman Jim Righeimer and realized there were people on the Costa Mesa City Council who care. So I continued to take photos — 213, to be exact — from April 2014 to February 2015, showing that none of the problems had been fixed and that they have, in fact, gotten worse. The photos include a homeless man making his camp for the night, people illegally fishing in the pond and hundreds of cigarette butts, toilet paper and other garbage.

During this process I continued to talk to various council members.

I truly believe that Costa Mesa should be in control of Talbert, that the city can do a better job of caring for it. One only has to see how well-maintained Canyon Park is.

Then came two more blows: Orange County wants to put a sewer line through Talbert, and the mayor said at a recent event that there is so much erosion on the hills in Talbert that it’ll cost way too much to rehabilitate them. So even though I know in my heart that Costa Mesa could do a far superior job in caring for Talbert, Orange County most likely will remain in control.

I just hope that the county and the general public remember that Talbert exists. They may assume it’s untouched and perfect, when in reality it’s a pit.

JAMI JOANNE RUSSELL lives in Costa Mesa.

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