LAGUNA HILLS : Council Approves Plan to Fix Up Stockport Park

The City Council has unanimously backed a plan to bring picnic tables, two playgrounds, a hopscotch area and two small baseball backstops to Stockport Park.

The original plan had also called for a full basketball court at the 3.5-acre park, but the idea was nixed when residents, concerned about noise, pointed out the proximity of the Laguna Hills High School courts. The park does have a sand volleyball court, which the renovation will not displace.

The improvements will also include a pathway throughout the park augmented by lights bright enough to provide safety but dim enough to discourage night use of the park. Some residents have complained about drug dealing in the park.

The renovation is expected to cost the city nearly $300,000.

Mayor R. Craig Scott and Councilwoman Melody Carruth said during Tuesday’s meeting that they hope the park may be used as a practice field for youth soccer and baseball teams. The city has told neighboring residents that the improved park will not be used for actual games played by organized sports leagues, but it has not ruled out use of the park for practices.

Two tot lots will be built, one for toddlers and one for older children. A small asphalt area will contain hopscotch and four-square patterns.

One group picnic area with barbecues and a hot coal receptacle will be built, and other picnic tables will be scattered around the playground area. The backstops, expected to be used by T-ball teams and picnickers, will be placed in the front section of the park, far enough back to keep balls from landing on Wilkes Place.