Newport Beach City Manager Update: Balboa Peninsula Trolley, Fire Department Day

By Grace Leung, Newport Beach City Manager

The Balboa Peninsula Trolley, the free summer shuttle service presented by the city with grants from the Orange County Transportation Authority, will continue to serve Newport Beach residents and visitors through 2031, with improvements and possible transit expansions in the next few years.

At a City Council study session on Tuesday, September 24, the Council heard recommendations from an ad hoc committee that has been meeting for several months to discuss possible improvements and expansions to the current service.

Following the presentation, council members supported continuing trolley service on summer weekends and holidays for another seven years, until 2031.

Council members also supported the returning employees with a contract to purchase several new trolleys of a different type – more traditional open-air vehicles reminiscent of Orange County's historic red Pacific Electric Car trolleys. The new trolleybuses powered by compressed natural gas will not yet be available in 2025, but should be ready for operation in summer 2026. In the 2025 season, operations will continue with the van shuttle buses that have been in use for seven years.

Additionally, city staff will explore options to potentially expand public transit to connect other areas of Newport Beach to the Peninsula Trolley, specifically Balboa Island, Corona del Mar and Newport Center, in a citywide network to improve mobility and improve accessibility for residents and visitors.

The Balboa Peninsula Trolley system, which includes 22 stops and free parking in the city's Avon Street parking lot, served more than 20,000 riders between Memorial Day and Labor Day this year. In the last seven years, around 80 percent of the costs have been financed through grants from the OCTA measure M2. OCTA grants can cover up to 90 percent of streetcar service by 2031.

NBFD is hosting Fire Service Day on October 6th

The Newport Beach Fire Department (NBFD) invites the community to join in the excitement of Fire Service Day at Station 7, 20401 SW Acacia St. on Sunday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This family-friendly event features an exciting live fire and rescue demonstration, including the Jaws of Life in action. There will be activities for all ages, including a bouncy castle for children, delicious food for participants and the opportunity to meet NBFD firefighters and paramedics. The event will feature Tora, our beloved fire dog.

Bring your family and friends to learn more about fire safety, witness the impressive skills of our local firefighters, and enjoy a day of community engagement.

Firefighters return home as regional wildfires are contained

All Newport Beach Fire Department (NBFD) personnel have returned home safely from deployments to assist with the airport and trackside fires.

The Airport Fire is now 95 percent contained as of September 27, having burned 23,526 acres in Orange and Riverside counties. The fire caused significant damage to commercial and residential buildings, with 160 structures destroyed and 34 damaged. There were 22 confirmed injuries to firefighters and civilians.

The line fire in San Bernardino County has now reached 83 percent containment as of September 27 and has burned 39,232 acres. The fire damaged four buildings, destroyed one building and caused four confirmed injuries among firefighters and civilians.

The NBFD continues to closely monitor the California wildfires and stands ready to support regional firefighting efforts if additional assistance is needed.

NBPD Presents “911 for Kids” in Newport Heights

The Newport Beach Police Department recently introduced the 911 for Kids program at Newport Heights Elementary.

The program helps children understand how and when to call 911 and teaches them important knowledge and skills that can save lives. NBPD officers engaged students in interactive activities that made learning about emergency situations both entertaining and informative.

The children learned to recognize emergencies, understand what information to share when calling 911, and other ways to stay safer in critical situations.

Sale of used books in the Central Library on October 5th

The Friends of the Newport Beach Public Library will host a grand used book sale on Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.

The sale is public. Prices start at just $1.

Start free financial planning

The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation presents “It's Your Money!”, a free series of six financial workshops beginning Monday, September 30.

Meetings will be held on Mondays from September 30 to November 4 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Central Library, Friends Meeting Room, 1000 Avocado Ave. instead of.

Community members are invited to attend all sessions or select sessions in this free series. Instructors are local, fee-based financial advisors; None of the speakers have a license to sell financial products.

For more information and schedule details, visit the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation website:

Free concert on October 13th with jazz and swing tribute band at Marina Park

The City of Newport Beach Arts Commission will host its annual fall concert on Oct. 13 with the Gotham City Swingers, a jazz and swing tribute band

4 to 5:30 p.m. at Marina Park, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.

Bring your low beach chairs and blankets and enjoy an evening in a cheerful atmosphere. Pack a picnic dinner or purchase from the on-site gourmet food trucks. Alcohol is not allowed. Entry and parking are free.

Bonita Canyon pickleball courts are temporarily closed until October 7th

The pickleball courts at Bonita Canyon Sports Park will be closed the week of September 30th for resurfacing. The Newport Coast Pickleball Courts next to the Newport Coast Community Center will remain open for play during the closure.

The complex has six public plazas and is open from 7 a.m. until dusk on a first-come, first-served basis, with a one-hour time limit if others wait.

Courts at Bonita Canyon Sports Park are expected to reopen on October 7th.

The McFadden Square beautification project is now underway

After a busy summer season, the city's Public Works Department is actively refreshing and beautifying the McFadden Square area.

Employees were engaged in the implementation of various projects, including landscaping and lawn restoration; repairs to planter walls and benches; Brick and concrete belt repairs; new paint for bollards, bike racks, sign struts and stripes; high pressure cleaning; and detailing monuments and plaques.

This work will help enhance and preserve this historic site as a community attraction and gathering place for residents and visitors.