HUNTINGTON BEACH : City OKs Rebuilding of Lakes in 2 Parks

Two picturesque park lakes that became public nuisances are scheduled to be fixed.

The problem lakes are at Chris Carr Park, at the southeast corner of Heil and Springdale streets, and Greer Annex Park, on the south side of McFadden Avenue, west of Golden West Street.

The city drained the lakes in March, 1991, after both became foul-smelling because of an excess of ducks in shallow water resulting from drought.

“In essence, the lakes were functioning as poultry waste lagoons with prolific algae and weed growth,” said city Public Works Director Louis F. Sandoval, in a memo to the City Council.

City government ran into criticism before draining the lakes because it was using fresh city water to try to save the smelly ponds.

Sandoval, in a recent interview, said the city is now going “to rebuild the lake system” to lessen water loss and improve circulation. Efforts also will be made to keep out domestic ducks, many of which were one-time house pets abandoned by their owners.

The City Council, at its July 20 meeting, unanimously approved plans for rebuilding the two lakes. The council authorized Sandoval to seek bids for the construction.

Daryl D. Smith, superintendent of the city’s park, tree and landscape division, said the city hopes to award the contract by fall. “We’d like to have the lakes open by the first of next year,” Smith said.

Both Sandoval and Smith said the lakes serve more than an aesthetic purpose. “They’re very important to the city’s drainage system,” Sandoval said. He said that during heavy rains, both lakes are backup pools to relieve street drainage.

City officials have estimated the cost of renovating the two lakes at $250,000.