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Los Angeles Times
26-04-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Families celebrate a more inclusive Newport Beach, opening of universally accessible playground
A vision of a more inclusive Newport Beach sparked by a young resident who spoke out on behalf of her nonverbal sister six years ago came to fruition with the dedication Wednesday of the city's first playground designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. The $900,000 renovation of San Miguel Park's 5,500-square-foot play area has a long tube slide that visitors with mobility issues can reach via a spiraling belt of suspended play mats, instead of stairs or ladders. It also includes a wee-saw, a reimagined version of a see-saw that has seats with back support, and many other attractions. The wee-saw was Alanis Portillo's favorite part of the new playground. The 22-year-old always loved being at playgrounds, but as she got older it became more and more difficult for her to use traditional park equipment, and her family increasingly worried about her getting hurt, her mother, Perla Portillo, said. Her sister, Alexis Portillo, told the Daily Pilot it was 'so devastating for me, to see that she kind of just had to stand around and watch and wasn't able to play with the other kids. That is the main reason I wanted to start this... Because I knew she wasn't the only one who struggles with this.' Alexis was in sixth grade when she approached civic leaders about installing an ADA accessible swing at Coastal Peak Park. She raised an issue that 'had escaped the attention of everyone on the dais,' said Will O'Neill, the former mayor, in his final remarks at as a member of the City Council 'But here was someone who came forward with a problem, offered a solution and made sure the lives of people in the city improved,' O'Neill said. 'We're better off as a community when we have the Alexis Portillos of the world coming up and solving problems.' Swings designed for use by people with or without disabilities went up in four parks as a result of the suggestion by the young resident, now a Corona del Mar High senior planning to soon begin college at Chapman University. Ultimately, plans were made for the renovation at San Miguel Park. 'This is a place where children and all of those who play can grow and connect together,' Mayor Joe Stapleton said Thursday. 'On behalf of the entire city of Newport Beach and our entire City Council, I would like to thank the families, advocates and city staff who helped bring this dream to life. You've made Newport Beach a more inclusive, joyful place for everyone.' Alanis Portillo grinned from ear to ear as she, her mother, sister and the mayor tested out the wee-saw together Thursday. Councilman Erik Weigand swung from columns of rope, showing off his climbing skills to his 10-year-old twins, a daughter and son. Councilwoman Robyn Grant laughed as she clung to a set of metal bars to steady herself on a spinning platform. About a dozen children made repeat trips down the tube slide and back up the spiraling ramp of its tower. 'There's very limited parks that have an all inclusive feel, that are accessible for children to go on ramps of feel safe on playgrounds, very few in all of Orange County,' Perla Portillo said. 'This was a blessing. She's probably going to be here every day.'
Los Angeles Times
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Tour rookie Brendan Jones leads after first round at Hoag Classic
Brendan Jones turned 50 just earlier this month, qualifying him to play in PGA Tour Champions golf events. The Australian got his tour card by qualifying through Q-School last December. He had played in just one PGA Tour event since 2013. But when Jones experienced the kikuyu grass fairways at Newport Beach Country Club that reminded him of his native Australia, his eyes lit up. 'When I saw this place the first day, I was just licking my chops,' he said. It showed Friday in the first round of the Hoag Classic. Jones fired a seven-under-par round of 64, taking the lead by a stroke after the first day of the three-day event. Sweden native Freddie Jacobson and Michael Allen of Arizona are tied for second at six-under-par. Three golfers, including two-time Hoag Classic champion and Charles Schwab Cup leader Ernie Els, sit two shots back at five-under par. Jones' round in ideal sunny conditions included an eagle on the par-five No. 3. Despite finding the right rough off the tee, he made about a 30-foot putt. He immediately bogeyed the next hole, No. 4, but that was the only misstep in a round that included six birdies, including five on the first six holes he played on the back nine. Jones said his length off the tee is an obvious strength, but it's important to be tactical with greens that are firming up. 'Even though I'm a little bit of a novice out here, I've had 25 years of experience around the world,' he said. 'It's not unusual [to play well], but it's unusual to be on the top of the leaderboard with the names that are right behind me. That's something that I've got to get used to.' Jacobson is also 50 and a tour rookie. His round included no bogeys and he also started quick on the back nine, earning birdies on four of his first six holes. 'It's certainly nice to get into a bit of a rhythm,' he said. 'I haven't played for a month, so if you can get off to a decent start, that's nice. It's been a little up and down, but as long as you have some ups in there, you know, get a little momentum going.' Newport Beach resident Fred Couples, a two-time Hoag Classic champion, is also in the hunt. Couples is one of eight golfers who carded a four-under-par round, three shots back of the lead. Like Jones, Couples also made eagle on No. 3, as about a 50-foot putt hit the hole and went in. Couples said he's been fighting sickness since going to the desert to practice. He felt he drove the ball well Friday, and putted fine, just didn't hit them hard enough to leave them short. He said his Friday evening plans included watching his stepson Hunter Hannemann play for the Corona del Mar High boys' volleyball team at Los Alamitos, then get plenty of sleep. 'I stayed in bed for four days, and I've been up here since Tuesday and I don't really feel a whole lot better,' said Couples, one of seven World Golf Hall of Fame members competing in this year's Hoag Classic. 'Hopefully, it goes away soon.' Defending champion Padraig Harrington is tied for 24th after carding a two-under-par 69. Tee times for Saturday's second round of the Hoag Classic start at 10:35 a.m. Leaders Jones, Jacobson and Allen are the final group to tee off from hole No. 1 at 12:35 p.m. Saturday's events also include a celebrity challenge foursome event on the 10th tee at 3:30 p.m. The Hoag Classic sunset celebration concert featuring LoCash starts at 6:30 p.m. at VEA Newport Beach.
