Save Harbor Park

Save Harbor Park Re: OC issues RFP for Dana Point sailing center ( Nov. 20 issue).  The Orange County Sailing and Events Center is located in the West Basin of Dana Point Harbor, next to Baby Beach. It is a community center that is home to various non-profit and low-profit organizations that provide recreational and educational opportunities to the community such as sailing and paddling instruction and low-cost watercraft rental. The harbor’s founding documents, along with the Local Coastal Program and Land Use Plan, all recognize that this area is to be preserved for such community purposes. The organizations that operate at this location include the Mariners 936 Sea Scouts, Saddleback College, Westwind Sailing, Serra Sailing, Dana Hills High School and Dana Outrigger Canoe Club. Each of these organizations serve their community by offering low-cost or no-cost recreational instruction in water sports, including sailing, standup paddling, kayaking and outrigger canoe paddling. Orange County Dana Point Harbor Office (OCDPH) wants to privatize this location by bringing in a private company to take over management of this area. Unfortunately, OCDPH refuses to include protections within this request that would prevent the private company from driving out these community-focused organizations through increased rates,...