Community and city leaders join forces to clean up Laguna Grande Park

Crime and destruction at Laguna Grande Park has the community and peninsula city leaders joining forces.

Those living on the Monterey side of the park have been complaining for years about illegal camping, trash and suspicious activity.

“We’ve seen an increase in crime activity –everything from illegal drug dealing as well as public intoxication, public safety issues,” said Chris Hartzell with the Monterey Audubon Society.

Hartzell said illegal campers are also cutting down trees and plants.

“That habitat is over 30 years old and has established a really incredible area where a lot of biological diversity is found,” said Hartzell.

To help solve the issue, the Joint Powers Authority that runs the park — Monterey, Seaside, and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District –has now teamed up with Hartzell and the rest of the Monterey Audubon Society.

“What we are doing right now is that we are looking together with the Audubon Society into options how can we develop this Laguna Grande Park,” said Hans Uslar, the Monterey Assistant City Manager.

Monterey city leaders said they want to make the park more recreational and open up the area in hopes of discouraging illegal camping.

“It was originally planned as a wetland. Over the years the park has(undergone) a transformation and people living around the park asked to rethink the use,” said Uslar.

Park leaders are also pursuing an outside study to review the area and find ways it can be developed, both to deter crime and protect the wildlife.

“I think it’s a huge win not just for us, but for the community in general.”