LONG BEACH – Although the Discovery Trail may have initially caused years of controversy, public input to the advisory group Crea Associates indicates overwhelming support for expanding the trail system in Long Beach over the next 20 years.

Crea was hired by the city to assist in updating the comprehensive plan and related documents that will guide the city’s future growth. One portion of that plan involves city parks.

“That trail system is great, so any expansion would be even better,” said one member of the public who attended the second city parks meeting on Feb. 6.

At an earlier meeting in November, a survey was passed out, and Davidya Kasperzyk, an urban design planner with Crea, reported the results to the gathered crowd. In addition to the 19 surveys turned in to the city from adults, more than 100 other surveys were filled out by school children as well. Both sets of surveys showed trails were popular facilities. The school children survey also showed that there was a strong demand for a community pool or water park as well.

“This is the time to start making choices,” for how the city’s park system will develop Kasperzyk told the crowd.

As with any plan, resources would not be limitless, Kasperzyk acknowledged, so priorities would have to be ranked. But, he said, improvements could be made piece by piece. The question to be answered by the community was, “How much do you want it,” whether an integrated community center or trail and park development in the eastern section of town dominated by extensive wetlands and Tinker Lake. He said a great characteristic of the area was that when the community sets a goal, “People get up and do things.”

City Administrator Robert Strope emphasized the planning process while creating big objectives was not an empty effort that would see no results. “We’re not doing this so we can check a box,” he said. “The decisions are made by those who show up. We have done everything we can to try and engage the community. We really want to do this right.”

“These plans can be as general as the moon or specific as a crater,” said Kasperzyk, prompting additional input from the group.

Some felt tourism should guide the parks plan. “Are we going to realize any increase in tourism?”

“The big draw down here for the tourists is the ‘green space,'” was one response.

Others wanted to make clear that all park planning, or even planning in general, should not be at the expense of the wishes of local residents. “This is for me, this is for us, not for the tourists necessarily.”

All seemed to agree that the attraction of the trails was not just the trails themselves, but the scenery and vistas that can be enjoyed from them. As one participant said, “One of the best views is from the beach trail looking back on the city – and not seeing much of it.”

A new survey on the park plan with questions on “Green Streets,” “Level of Service Standards,” “Need Based New Parks/Opportunity Sites,” “View Protection Policies,” and “Cultural Heritage Plan,” is available at Long Beach City Hall. For additional information call 642-4421.