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Laguna Beach officials consider fencing, increased patrols after cameras show hundreds entering closed open space
Summary
City, district and county staff discussed options to deter unauthorized entry into open-space parcels at Nestle Road and Alpine Way. OC Parks' cameras recorded roughly 800–1,000 weekly entries; officials are exploring fences and closer coordination with OC Parks and neighbors.
City and school district officials and the police chief discussed steps to reduce unauthorized entry into open-space parcels accessed from Nestle Road and Alpine Way, citing environmental degradation, vandalism and increased wildfire risk.
Chief Calvert told the joint meeting that Orange County Parks has set up cameras on the trails and is tracking “in a week 800 to a thousand people, walking into those unlawful areas,” and recommended adding fences at the Nestle Road and Alpine Way access points. District facilities staff said the district owns the Alpine parcel and is exploring fencing locations, but emphasized careful siting to avoid creating view impacts or simply shifting entry to other locations.
Why it matters: speakers described the unauthorized use as causing habitat damage, graffiti and public-safety risks during high-fire-danger periods. Neighbors and greenbelt volunteers have raised the issue for several years, and OC Parks and local rangers have been involved in monitoring and patrol.
Proposed measures and next steps - Options discussed: increased OC Parks and city ranger patrols, new fencing on Nestle Road and Alpine Way, and targeted community outreach. The district said it will deploy survey stakes (story poles) to test fence siting with neighbors. - Approvals: District staff said the Alpine parcel is district property and that the district can install a fence if appropriate; OC Parks' cooperation is required for county-owned access points. Officials said community input and neighbor coordination will be part of the siting process.
Remarks and concerns Kelly Osborne (Coastal Greenbelt Authority member) and neighborhood representatives said the problem has persisted for years and increases wildfire risk. Chief Calvert noted OC Parks’ limited ranger staffing and said fencing would be expected to deter many visitors: “Installing both of these fences will deter people from entering those, those areas,” he said.
Ending Officials characterized the item as informational and in active coordination with OC Parks and neighbors. The district and city described ongoing work — including neighbor meetings, story poles and further coordination with OC Parks — and did not take formal action at the meeting.
