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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuntington Beach Central Park Dedication - June 15, 1974 - H ,r r ll M � 44.i _ 41 MT y C 2 " : a k^"�'��� �, �' ✓'t V �;4� �' "p � � k^- ✓ wow" ✓ `� �_ ., ' yy� u „ 6 , G� F p � j f� w, , y ry �s ✓a ya , k . Ii I u p y �4 m 1 � t - r a ^^aakk y e a � «�u �,: ' � ': ��' fit'°" e�P'�d, ✓ .� �,. r .. a " �"� ,i, �• e ��"" °b`E +�" ���,�.T�"�� '� � *� f� � 't°"�a .tee*"°*°°'"`"r �'�` �' k",�� o ` t'{ i f ISI F yy EE++ d }} r p;t i �4 -' �� ,e. � �� � � �� '•� �� >i � ,gyp � 6 ) 2 Ml JA b � # ..,... ar ,iw�. _ ;�� ��'� ,�w,,,�_•. Epp [� ���"�� � e e r w Y e a"w p a &d 44 NORMA BRANDEL GIBBS ViceM V r III III � �^^ f jt ell - 6 _ awe jTED W.BARTLF.,rr 1.7 K x HENRY II.DUKE r ; t e *,. MAYOR ALVIN M. COEN x�:e JERRY A.MATNEY - HUNTINGTON CENTRAL PARK: 1974 ,a TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Huntington Beach in the Beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Pioneer Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 DONALD D.SHIPLEY Beginning of Recreation and Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 People for Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Huntington Central Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Existing and Future Park Program 22 Department of Recreation and Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Planning, Development and Construction . . . . . . . . . . 26 HARRDrrT WIEDER 3 CITY STAFF City Administrator a r David D. Rowlands �: ` Executive Assistant Floyd G. Belsito ." Civil Defense Wilbur J. Lae Economic Development William J. Back Public Information William G. Reed Departments 7� Elected: Attorney Don P. Bonfa Clerk Alicia Wentworth � � � Treasurer ' Warren G. IIall a Appointive: Buil'dinc, �a a John F. Behrens g $ Finance ✓s e,i Frank B. Arguello �J Fire Raymond C. Picard Harbors and Beaches Vincent G. Moorhouse .w Library ;ry f x Walter W. Johnson Personnel i Edward H. Thompson a r Planning _ Richard A. Harlow Police x Earle W. Robitaille , A . { Public Works a H. E. Hartge g Recreation and Parks Norman L.Worthy CENTRAL, PARK: 1974 � d P ' m Former Officials Helping Plan t. a This Park Councilmen PEOPLE FOR PARKS: STEERING COMMITTEE Jack Green Jake Stewart Henry Kaufman George McCracken Co-Chairmen Ron Bauer Precincts Charlene Bauer City Administrator Cris Cris Connie Bauer Doyle Miller Finance Bob Sutake Lorraine Faber Assistant Administrator Publicity Rod Cruse Speakers Tom Cooper Brander Castle Bill Liles Mike Bogen Development Coordinator Promotion Bruce Williams Group Ralph Bauer Tom Severns Fred and Lynn Coordinator Lee Mossteller Planner Bolding Secretary Norm Worthy Kenneth Reynolds Teenage Brian Hanrahan Anoic Crusinberry Public Works Sherry Jensen Council Dr. Henry Kaufman James Wheeler Citizen Advisors Young Adult Gary De Boise Liaison Dr. Donald Shipley People for Parks 4 HUNTINGTON CENTRAL PARK DEDICATION PROGRAM SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1974 10:00 a.m. Band Prelude Huntington Beach Concert Band John Mason, Director 10:30 a.m. Call to Order Master of Ceremonies Ron Bauer, Co-Chairman, People for Parks Bond Committee Pledge of Allegiance James Curran, Recreation and Parks Commission National Anthem Huntington Beach Concert Band Invocation Reverend Thomas W. Overton, Pastor, First Christian Church Introductions Mayor Alvin M. Coen and Acknowledgments Dedication Addresses Recreation and Park Commissioners Alvin M. Coen Group Campground Commissioner Scott Flanagan Henry H. Duke Trail Commissioner James Shepard Norma Brandel. Gibbs Trail Commissioner Betty Kennedy Jack Green Nature Observation Commissioner Rod Cruse and Play Center Henry A. Kaufman Play Center Commissioner Lee Mosstell.er and Picnic Area Jerry A. Matney Mesa Commissioner Bill Barnes George C. McCracken Meadow Commissioner Harry Turner and Play Center Donald D. Shipley Nature Center Commissioner Tom Cooper Jake R. Stewart Viewpoint Commissioner Rudy Lozano Picnic Area Thomas B. Talbert Lake Commissioner Kent McClish Huntington Central Park History Norman Worthy, Director of Recreation and Parks Design Erik Katzmaier, Project Architect Ekbo, Dean, Austin and Williams Proclamation David D. Rowlands, City Administrator Band Postlude Huntington Beach Concert Band Opening Day Special Huck's Hangout and Tom's Place I2:00 p.m. Continuous Main Stage and Tom's Place to Entertainment 3:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. Tram Tours Main Stage and Tom's Place to Chamber of Commerce Women's Division 4:00 p.m. 5 HUNTINGTON CENTRAL PARK: EARLY DAYS The land now known as Huntington Except for the highlands the surrounding Beach has experienced several development land was swamp area and under water most of phases. The Spanish/Mexican Rancho period the time. Until the lowlands were drained of spanned from 1784 to 1849, Early Statehood/ the water the area was quite useless. Grazing and Agriculture period from 1859 to The land north and west of Clay Street 1920, Oil Boom period from 1919 to 1922 and west of Lake Street was considered and the Urban Expansion period from 1945 county territory until the 1940's. Many small. to the present. towns and communities sprouted up in this Indians inhabited the land previous to area but only a few remain today as most have any historical periods as indicated by the been annexed to Huntington Beach and other artifacts and burial_grounds found over the surrounding cities. years. There were schools, but no parks or Huntington Beach was originally a por- recreation for the children in the area. Aside tion of the old Las Bolsas Ranch owned by from games and play areas on the school Abel Sterns until the 1880's. Sterns.sold the grounds kids made their own fun. They had swamp lands and retained the mesa which was their favorite swimming and fishing holes and eventually developed by several landowners. created games that were typical of the area zn and time. COUNTY TERRITORY The county territory, known more com- monly as Gospel Swamp because of the numerous artisian wells, was a refuge for wild birds ducks geese, coyotes and hogs. The original settlers here had to struggle a as � with preparing the lands for cattle and crops. Cow trails were the only roads that could be traveled and most of the land was under water F or in swamp marsh. The Santa Ana River which surrounded � the mesa often joined the Freeman River dur- ing the heavy floods and emptied into the g Y p-. ocean at Los Patos in Bolsa Chica. The Freeman River formed by a large R underground spring, flowed through the lower t section of Huntington Central Park between Slater and Talbert Avenues. When the farmers tried to sink fence posts to keep their stock confined or fence in their property, water would spurt up in fountains. if willow posts with seeping sap were used, they usually would send out, sprouts and eventually grow into trees. Since wild celery grew abundantly here, D. E. Smeltzer, formerly of Michigan intro- dueed cultivated celery and it became the finest ever grown along the coast. Everyone ,bra went into the celery business and the farmers formed a marketing organization. Golden West Celery Packing House was established in the town of Smeltzer. (Edinger Avenue between Indian artifacts found on Slater, Huff property. Homer Slater Beach Boulevard and Golden West Street). found large bowl the day of the big earthquake in 1933. The farm land, floundering in water, had Ralph Huff discovered an Indian spoon while digging sump- to be drained and so ditches were dug and a hole for oil well with a "Fresno" scoop. large canal constructed to carry the excess 6 water out to the ocean. Cattle sometimes children and added three more to. the family, would get caught in the ditches and had to be Alice, Bettie and Bill. The family has lived in rescued. the same home for over 50 years. After some of the land was drained the According to Ruth Slater, now 81, her farmers found the soil to be quite alkali and husband acquired a good portion of the land sugar beets seemed to be the crop that would within or surrounding Huntington Central do well. As the word spread, farmers planted Park from 1919 and over several years. One large crops and several sugar factories were of the largest parcels was purchased from the built in the county. Many sugar plant workers Bolsa Chica Gun Club. The 80 acres surrounds came from Colorado to start the sugar in- the westerly portion of the park. Will Slater dustry on the West Coast. Unfortunately, owned land near what is now Huntington the crops lasted only a few years as a disease Lake, part of the old Preston property (Tele- wiped them out. phone Company) and most of the property The farmers then planted lima beans, on either side of Slater Avenue between Goth- chili peppers, corn, potatoes and other crops. and and Edwards Streets. Lima beans became such a successful crop In the early days the land was so swampy that the celery warehouse in Smeltzer was people thought that roads could never be turned into a clearing house and processing built. Before it was drained the only crops plant for the syndicated growers of lima beans. that could be raised were celery, potatoes The bean crops were picked by large and onions. threshing machines over a two week period. The Slaters raised celery, sugar beets ° Many farm hands were brought in to work and later lima beans until 1964 when Will the fields during this period. This was the sold the main portion of his land. main crop of the area for many years. Ruth Slater remembers the lima bean La Bolsa Tile Company, the oldest and harvest during the forties and fifties as a time still existing industry in Hunting today, manufactured the tiles the ton Beach everyone looked forward to. They had several farmers used thrashing machines that would come into the to line the drainage ditches. area with large crews working them: The 200-acre central park and surround- The beans had to be completely dry in ing area was formerly home and farmland to order for the harvesters to work properly, so many pioneer families. the crews usually couldn't start until noon because of the morning dew. Mrs. Slater used to load up the family car with food and go SLATER FAMILY into. the fields to feed the workers. Even though it was a hard working process and the crews worked late into night it was an excit- ing,Slater born in 1883 came to the a area when he was nine. He lived with the ing culmination of the crop season. Dennis McGuirk family until he was 14, at In November 1965, Will Slater died leav- which time he went off to make his living ing the remaining land he farmed to his family. and then returned to the area while in his Young Bill followed in his fathers footsteps twenties. and farmed land in Huntington Beach. Al- It was then that Will decided he wanted though most of the original Slater land has to have his own land and raise crops. McGuirk been sold, Bill leases acreage north of the helped him acquire his first 20 acres of land park, across from the family home, where he which was located north of what is now still raises crops. Slater Avenue between Golden West and Edwards Streets. PRESTON FAMILY In 1908, Will married Bonnie Clay, who was the first Springdale School teacher at the The Preston Family arrived in Hunting- time. They lived in a ranch house located on ton Beach (Wintersburg area) by wagon from the land that Will farmed, not far from the Pomona in December 1904. Lewis C. Preston school. and his wife Sarah purchased their first piece The Slaters_ had three children, Fred, of property on Hampshire and Wintersburg June and Homer. Then in 1919, Bonnie sud- Avenues (Beach Boulevard and Warner Ave- denly died. Her girlhood friend Ruth, who nue). They raised their large family of nine came down from Redlands in 1913 to teach children on this ranch. school and was very close to the family, help- Preston purchased several parcels of land ed Will with the children. The following year in the area over the years. As a transplanted Will and Ruth were married. Oregon man, he came to California with the reputation of being a wealthy investor and Slater built the home on the hill (Goth- people wanting to sell their water-soaked land and Street) where he and Ruth raised the holdings flocked to his side. 7 He did-invest in substantial holdings of The eldest of the children, Ella May, re- which some were leased to farmers to raise calls moving to several farms in the Winters- crops and the remaining land was farmed by burg area (then known as Santa Ana, now Preston and his sons. Huntington Beach). One of the parcels, 20 acres near Slater Mrs. Elliott said that her parents were Avenue and Gothard Street purchased from poor and never owned any of the land or Mr. Larter was full of peat, water and tulles. ranches but her father was a hard working The eldest son, William, and a younger man and farmed many ranches for the owners brother worked to reclaim the land so that it in the area. could be farmed. They dug out peat and tried In 1893 the Morses moved to a ranch to fill the swamp area with anything, includ- on the hill where the library is being con- ing old car bodies and scrap. The junk finally strutted. The property was owned by Richard sank to the bottom still leaving water and peat Harris of Santa Ana. The Morse family lived on most of the land. on this land for three or four years where Ann The family helped build the Methodist Morse Fickeisen, now 81, was born. Church on Warner Avenue and Gothard Morse tried to raise crops on the ranch Street. They also started Sunday School class- but had a very difficult time due to excessive es there and at the Baptist Church in the area. water seepage. They found the problem was The eldest girl, Gertrude, married Mr. a large peat bog that went very deep under the Rutherford and they both became mission- surface soil. The farmer worked on a water aries in India. Gertrude died at the mission drainage system by digging ditches and cutting in India in 1911. the peat out with hay knives. Before the parents' death in the 1920's, When the peat was removed, water would provisions were made that some of the proper- spurt out of the ground in the high furrows. ty be given to the American Baptist Home and That's when it was discovered that the area Foreign Mission Society to help support the was fed with underground springs and the work Gertrude gave her life to. water pressure formed the spurting fountains In 1934, the Preston Institute was es or artisian wells. tablished at Jangoon Decca,Hyderabad, India. The horses had to wear peat shoes which An impressive white structure, it houses the were ten-inch-long blocks of wood to fit over classrooms that are used to educate hundreds the hoofs. Otherwise, they would sink into of children who pass through every day. the soggy ground. William Preston married Mary Marshall in Finally, not able to dig out all the peat, 1915 and they raised two daughters, Ena and the farmer plowed furrows and dropped Eva. He farmed the land and raised crops on potatoes in the ditches. The only crops that the old family ranch in Wintersburg they were successful in raising were potatoes Mary Marshall Preston, 85, is the only and onions. A small onion house was built one of the family who still lives in Hunting- nearby where the onions were hung until they ton Beach. She remembers the peat lands and cured. recalls the crops that were grown, especially One of the larger springs on the west side the huge potatoes. "One would feed the of what is now Golden West Street formed a whole family," she states. Will Preston died stream. This stream originally called New on Christmas Eve in 1962, but left a living River, flowed through the lowlands down to tribute to his heirs, The Preston Institute in the ocean, the river.was later called Freeman India which the family still supports today. River. As there were no roads at that time the local families used to take rowboats down to MORSE FAMILY the Gun Club located in the Bolsa Chica swamp lands. Back in 1890, a man by the name of The river was very deep in spots and the Lanfield built a ranchouse on a hill overlook- children would plunge.poles into the water to ing the, mesa where the Huntington Central try and find the bottom but never succeeded. Park now exists. The Morse family moved further north of George and Rozella Morse moved to the the area where George worked on the canal ranch house where George farmed the surround- which finally drained the lowlands of the ing land. It was there that the Morses raised water. Most of the families lived in tents dur- not only crops, but the first of their family ing this project. which eventually became ten children. Meanwhile, the successors of the peat Huntington Beach resident Ella May lands (located on the Golden West/Talbert (Morse) Elliott, who will be 87 in Aua ist, property), finally decided to go into the peat remembers very little of this particular home fuel business. A factory, rows of small homes as she was only six at the time. and a boarding house were built on the land. 8 e, aka xu r 9 � 9' e t � 9 t 1 ' n9 9. 41, m. Sugar Beets being loaded from horse drawn wagon to railroad box car. Crates of celery loaded into railroad car for shipping: a� as �a � I �� w�aa a # � 'X"puttWpry ' np g r �rakp, �.. 1 S°s � t '` r a p a �� p4 a .7 tow RN 7 € alip e , w . e o �a F x' m. 9 George Morse knowing more about the land than anyone else moved his family back � � Ni and began work in'the peat business. Small � � "� � P "� electric cars were installed at the lower level �� to haul the peat'up the hill to the factory e � where it was ground and compacted. The firm �"g, also built gas tanks to try and convert the fer- tile composition into gas. But, the process was not successful, as the peat contained too � f��� '� much soil and was deteriorated. The business was dormant- for the next few years until the Price Peat Works came along and proceeded to mine the peat and sell it to farmers for growing crops. The mass- ive excavation over the,years was the reason Talbert Lake was formed. Ella May Morse Elliott remembers this '. � �� �� i area as acres of willows, tullys, and black- `s 4 � berry patches where wild hogs ran free. Her � Q a family found many Indian artifacts such as arrowheads and tools which were simply toss- � ed away. There being no roads, the only way to travel was by horse and buggy over the sheep and cattle trails. In order to reach the beaches where the people enjoyed camping and bath- ing was to go north toward Westminster around the swamp lands and then down to the � � beaches. Seal Beach was the closest beach be . cause the water and swamps made it imposs- ible to reach Shell Beach (Huntington Beach). �� • a.,� ,��� �a� �-• � Children of this area attended Ocean Dr. Samuel G. Huff View School in the town called Smeltzer. Most' either walked or went by horseback when the weather permitted. Ella May Morse was, married to Pyrl W. Elliott in 1902 at the age of 15. The Elliott's moved to Smeltzer on a 40-acre parcel owned by her grandfather where they farmed the 0, ' land. „r HUFF FAMILY Ole : ,. In 1901, Dr. Samuel G. Huff purchased the land and ranch house previously occupied %� � , W e by the Morse family from Mr. Lanfair. According to Arline Huff Howard, grand a daughter, Sam was the first country doctor in a � the area and practiced here from 1901 to + 1918. He then returned to the east but left a " his son Ralph C. Huff to oversee the ranch ` and farm the land. �0 u�. ` Ralph farmed this 40-acres which was i � iJ located on the highest hill in the area. He raised tomatoes,corn and lima beans,chickens � d � and produced eggs to be sold. The land was adorned with 30 English u walnut trees, had many artisian wells and its own drinkino,water wells. The wells were in use until 1940 when the salt seeped into the water and the wells had to be abandoned. Ralph met and courted Alice Gallienne in the area, who later became his wife and to- Ralph C. Huff home located on mesa in park center. 10 f i �A ' zp 17 � r r � im - - - ..� a�F " •�.:w �- r FWti ON Chicken ranch typical of agricultural period. gether they raised four daughters, Edith Mary, GOTHARD FAMILY Agnes, May and Arline. George Gothard, a native of Illinois, originally owned the land along what is now The children were all raised on this Gothard Street midway between Slater and property. Since a lot of the surrounding land Talbert Avenues. was swampy and low, they were confined to According to Vivian Gothard Schultz, the high hill area and forbidden to go near grand-daughter, George and his wife Ellen pur- the back section as there was a big dropoff chased the land in the early 1890's. They (which eventually became the gravel pit and raised a family of nine, Bert, Elmer, Joe, later the lake). George, Agnes, Mary, Ethel, Betty and Edwin. Ralph Huff farmed the property until The early home was located on the mesa just 1927 when he went to work for the high above the peat bog area. Later atwo-story school and worked there until 1949. The home was built near by. family lived in the ranchouse until 1953 when Grandfather George worked along with the state bought the property for fill dirt county officials on the task of developing which was used to construct the San Diego roads throughout the area. The family farmed Freeway. At that time the hill was leveled and the area and when they discovered the peat, changed the topography of the land to a great they mined it and sold the fertile squares. extent. Mrs. Schultz s father George Edgar mar- ried Opal Miller and moved to Wintersburg. In the 1930's the senior George died The Huff family accumulated several and wife Ellen lived on the Gothard land with Indian artifacts which have been preserved son -Edwin until she sold the property to over the years. Rollo McClellen. 11 THE BEGINNING OF provements. An existing trailer park was ex- RECREATION AND PARKS panded and restrooms, parking and custodian cottage were added. The city was receiving an The original recreation and park system income of $7,000 to $10,000 a year from the in the city consisted of three park sites, Lake park at the time and it was expected that the Park, 4 acres, Circle and Farquhar Park, 3 figure would be increased to $25,000 when acres, and Orange Avenue and 17th Street the park was expanded. Of course, the trailer site, 2 acres. park was later removed and the beach strip In the early years, this system coupled used for swimming, sunbathing and picnicing. with eight miles of beach frontage provided Shortly after this purchase, the city adequate recreation facilities for the city's bought the 49=acre strip of land across the 3.57 square miles and 5,000 or so residents. highway from Lake Street to Beach Boulevard Lake Park Clubhouse was built on the from the Mills Land and Water Company for Lake Park land and'dedicated April 9, 1938. $25,000 which came out of the general fund. About the same time, the Pavalon was built Later this investment turned out to be the on the beach and dedicated in May 1938. bargain of the century, with the city owning These two recreation facilities were built with almost 50 acres of land in an area where land minimal material costs to the city, as the labor values are listed in the millions of dollars for was provided by federal Works Progress Ad- as little as an acre or two. This property is ministration (WPA). currently being used for a golf course, mobile The original Boy Scout Cabin also located home park and the Sheraton Beach Inn. in Lake Park was built in 1923. This was the .After several annexations and the large only recreation facility the scouting groups growth period that took place in the 1960's had until 1948. the city was operating with an ineffective The Orange Avenue and 17th Street site, master plan. Even though the existing plan situated in the center of the oil fields, had provided guidelines for residential, commercial only a ball field and playground until 1948 and industrial, it failed to provide future park when a building was moved on the land. The and recreational needs for the growing com- recreation building, originally an Army Air munity. Zn Corps headquarters in Santa Ana, was pur- A proposed master plan of parks and chased by the city for $20,000 and moved to recreation was drawn up and adopted by the the site. Planning Commission after several hearings in Shared primarily by scouting groups, the November 1958. building was in need of repair and maintenance The City Council adopted the master which the volunteer groups could not provide. plan on December 1, 1958 accepting the And so, in 1949 a recreation commission was school-park concept and guidelines for a land established and a full-time recreation depart- acquisition plan. The first park and recreation ment formed to conduct organized recreation subdivision ordinance was passed by council programs in the city. January 5, 1959. This ordinance required the subdivider to dedicate one acre of land per RECREATION AND PLAYGROUND 100 lots (homes) or $50 per lot of the sub- BONDS — 1938 division to go into a special fund for ac- An election was held April 12, 1938 quisition of land for park and recreational which called for the sale of $100,000 in bonds purposes only. This ordinance was not en- with interest at a rate not to exceed five per forceable, as a developer later filed suit cent per year to be paid annually for the first against the city and won the court case. year and semi-annually thereafter, for the ac- In April 1961, the Recreation Commis- quisition, construction and completion of a sion was increased from five to ten members public park and playground equipment. so that each of the school districts would have The election passed by the required two- representation on the board. This enabled the thirds vote and the issuance of the bonds was city to have a closer relationship with school .authorized by the City Council on June 15, districts in working out joint use of play- 1938. The bonds were issued in denominations grounds on school property. of $1,000 each at the interest rate of 2'/z per In 1962 a citizens advisory committee cent. Security-First National Bank of Los for parks recreation, cultural development Angeles was awarded the sale of the bonds on and libraries was formed. Committee members June,7, 1938. _ were Jack Feehan, chairman, and,members, The money was used to purchase 1630 Dr. Donald -Shipley, Esther Funk, Dr. Leon feet of beach front for $85,000 and the re- DuBov, Bobbie Murphy, Helen Susman, maining $1.5,000 was used for labor and im- Virginia Barnes and Ann Menees. 12 After a year's study, committee member The plan was officially adopted by the Dr. Donald-Shipley, also a member of the City Council on August 1, 1966, Galling for Recreation Commission, submitted the com- seven high, eleven medium, and two low mittee report to the city council. priority neighborhood parks of 2'/z to 3 acres, The report covered three areas, back- a community park of 30 acres and a large ground, analysis and recommendations. Some city-wide park of 65 acres with a nature area. of the recommendations were to establish a In August, Landscape Architect Richard recreation and parks commission, hire a di- Bigler was hired to plan four parks, Schroeder, rector of parks and recreation, establish a post Greer, Irby and Wardlow. Later Murdy Park of superintendent of parks and superintend- was designed by the firm. ent of recreation and authorize an up-to-date As the city was growing so fast the master plan of the city to include specific Recreation and. Park Commission made several ,llocations for park and recreation areas. In- recommendations that would improve the cluded in the report were several specific park progress and open space element, but it locations that were recommended park sites soon became apparent that in order to ac- for acquisition and development. complish the total aims and objectives of the The report was received but no action master plan another large source of income Zn was taken until a few years later. would be required. A sub-committee headed by Dr. Shipley In July, 1-968, the commission recorn- was appointed by the council to look into mended the council place a $6,000,000 park the feasibility of converting abandoned bond on the November ballot. The recorn- county dump sites into parks. After studying mendation was accepted along with an addi- the projects throughout the county the com- tional proposal for a $3.15 million library mittee presented the results with a recom- bond. The bonds would provide development mendation that the city purchase the dump for 32 neighborhood parks, .1 to 10 acres ad- site located at Golden West Street and jacent to elementary schools in all areas of the Talbert Avenue (which eventually was pur- city, construction of two community centers, chased and became the nucleus for Huntington acquisition and development for 6 community Central Park). - parks, 10 to 40 acres, adjacent to high schools, In February 1963, $400,000 in accumu- and a regional type central city park of 147 lated park fees were released for park ac- acres. quisition. The city planning department de- A citizen's committee was formed to veloped an interim park guide with priority ,promote the bond issues and sub-committees -lists of park site acquisition. were appointed to handle specific tasks. One of the hardest working recreation Chairman William Schweickert and council commissioners, Dr. Shipley was elected to liaison Jack Green and.Jerry Matney headed the City Council in April 1964. A conserva- the combined library and. park bond efforts. tionist and a mover in the park development Committee members were Roger Anderson, program,Shipley made several proposals which Charlene and Ralph Bauer, Connie and Ron were eventually accomplished with the help Bauer, Bill Brazney, Florence Boosey, Mel of many citizens and councils of the city. Cooper, Tom Cooper, Cris Cris, Esther Funk, The Recreation Department and Com- _ Lea Hood, Lynn Hottenstein, Walter Johnson, mission were changed to the Recreation and Jay Mastroianni, Lynn "Doc" May, Bobbie Parks Department and Recreation and Parks Murphy, Jere Murphy, Katherine Reynolds, Commission in July 1965 with Norman Wortby Leonard Shane, Dave Wickersham_ , George as director. Williams and Norm Worthy.. The purpose of the commission was to A professional public relations firm was acquire and develop park sites within the city hired by the committee for advice on campaign and the department to conduct program and strategy. The firm conducted a community maintenance of the parks. survey to find out how many people would On July 17, 1965, State Assembly Bill be willing to spend 50 ^ents to $1 to support 1150 was signed by the governor which pro- a library and parks. They were very en- vided the cities and counties a means to pass couraged when the results showed that seven ordinances to require the dedication of land, out of ten people were for the bonds. or payment of fees for park or recreational A speakers bureau was set up, coffee purposes as a condition to the approval of a klatches offered, leaflets printed and distribut- ! final subdivision map. ed, endorsements solicited and information This law enabled the city to acquire given out. parks within subdivisions as they were con- The election held November 5 had 85 j structed and so the master plan of parks, open per cent voter turnout and nearly 62 per cent space, schools and recreation became an in- voted in favor of the bonds, but it was not tegral part of the city's total master plan. the 2/3 majority needed. 13 ( I � ,pS. a W �V,e# F I a" i „ I ` 7� -HUN INGTON �m COMINU m e i"T Beef t r = s� ­�Y I a AV AOXIL AMW Apow YES YOUR ' FA N People for Parks Committee (standing from left to right) Lee Mossteller, Tom Cooper, Norman Worthy, Rod Cruse, Councilman Donald D. Shipley, Ralph Bauer and Fred Bolding. (Seated from left to right) Lynn Bolding, Connie Bauer, Angie Crusinberry, Chairman, Ron Bauer, Charlene Bauer, Helen Bolding and Lorraine Faber. Other members not present for photo are Co-Chairman Cris Cris, Robert Sutake, Bill Liles, Bruce Williams, Brian Hanrahan, Sherry Jensen, Gary De Boise, Mike Bogen and Dr. Henry Kaufman. 14 PEOPLE FOR PARKS jj In January of the following year the sup- portive citizens- decided to try again, this time with a different approach. A new com- mittee was formed and named themselves "People for Parks". After analyzing the past campaign, they .,. decided on a whole new strategy. Knowing ° that the majority of citizens were really in favor of more parks the group proceeded to ° 3 flood the community with information. With the support of the staff and Recrea- tion and Parks Commission, the steering com- mittee proceeded to get the whole community involved, from senior citizens to young � children. The philosophy was to get the sup- porters to the polls. Committee members went all out, com . mandecred an army of volunteers who can- vassed all. precincts, set up coffees and speak- ing engagements and solicited endorsements. Various props were used to publicize the issue. "People for Parks" buttons brochures fact sheets and miniature billboards were dis- tributed and placed strategically in businesses a � ' all over town. A park display and information were � $ made available at the annual community con- ¢Tess held at Golden West College A park rig bond insert sheet was mailed with the water s bills to all property owners in the city. A ' photo contest, poster contest and art contest ' were held. The art contest for children with over 1,000 entries depicting a child's view of the ideal park was held at the Huntington Mall. This was a tremendous project which in- volved many hours of preparation in displaying the art work. a .� g Newspaper advertisements, rows articles, Mayor Donald D. Shipley signs important measure as Director radio spots and a television news interview of Recreation and Parks Norman Worthy looks on. were set up by the committee. A rally held at the Mall the weekend be- fore the election featured both youth and adult bands, a strolling solista, fashion show, college choral, speeches and information. In the spring of 1968 Mayor Donald There was no actual opposition to the Shipley and representatives of the Audubon issue. Three local newspapers endorsed the Society, Sierra Club and Nature Conservancy bond,and all of the news media was favorable. made a trip out to the Golden West Street and On June 3, 1969, the campaign plan Talbert Avenue undeveloped land area to in- paid off. The special park bond election was vestigate the possibilities of acquiring the approved by the 20 per cent voter turnout natural area adjacent to the city-owned future with a 74.3 per cent yes vote, well over the park. They felt that the spring-fed pond would required 2/3 majority. make an excellent addition. Shipley stated It started as a dream and soon became a that he was in favor of acquiring the land for reality. Two or three of the few lakes a park but felt it should be left in its natural in Orange County encircled by a 200-acre state (except for stocking it with more fish) park complete with all types of recreation for the pleasure of the children. I-Ie suggested was certainly considered a dream back in the that the time to purchase the surrounding land sixties. was now, while the area was undeveloped. 15 # aN, p , rv=� r d Wmy i-� ° d$ m ¢ reap `2 E a f! r r A �4 ti BP_ 9oj. k bm 'as t Child feeding ducks on Talbert Lake in Huntington Central Park. The unique site was one of the few such Floyd G. Belsito, executive assistant to places in west Orange County. With its fresh the City Administrator, submitted the first water and natural vegetation, it was an out- federal grant application for land acquisition standing habitat for wildlife, especially water- in Huntington Central Park to the Depart- fowl and birdlife. ment of Housing and Urban Development The location had been recommended by (HUD) on May 5, 1969. the Library Board as the number one site for The grant application covering Phase I a new central library. The Recreation and of the park contained 147 acres. The city al- Parks Commission believed that a large city ready owned 58'/2 acres in Phase I and was re- park should be established in the area. questing the grant for the purchase of the re- The city owned the Talbert Park site, maining 88'/2 acres. the land surrounding the city water tank, and Under the Federal Open Space Land would soon own ten acres of Lake Huntington. Program the government will pay up to 50 Since there was widespread community per cent of the purchase price and the city support for this project, it was felt that action the remaining 50 per cent with the stipulation must be taken immediately or this unique zn that the land purchase price be based upon marshland would be forever lost to urban progress. the appraisal of two firms and the purchase Little did the pioneers who farmed the price cannot exceed the appraisals. The govern- ment pays 50 per cent of all costs including land and fought the water and peat problems i appraisals, consultants and other related costs. think that this would eventually become a open space preserve for their heirs to enjoy. When the acquisition of land involves Although the topography of the land has property owners living on the property, the changed some since the turn of the century, government pays 100 per cent of the costs of the geography has not. relocation. The lakes that exist today were formed In Phase I of the park project, the city over the years from the fresh water springs received approval on July 14, 1969, and the that seeped up to the surface after the peat _ contract agreement was executed on Septem- and gravel were excavated from the land. ber 18, 1969, by the federal government. The After passing through several landowners, city received $688,612 from the government and many diversified uses over the years, the of which the city was required to match the park lands finally were acquired by the city. sum out of a special fund set aside for this 16 purpose. The Park and Recreation Facility The five others that followed were 20 Fund, made-,'up mainly of subdivision fees, or acres purchased from the State of California the recent park bond that was approved by for $375,066, 3.34 acres from Cresenciano the voters-would be used for the matching Hernandez for $110,000, 2.5 acres from Al" funds. Gonzales for $59,000, a 2.5 acre parcel of The city received an additional letter Ocean View Mushroom Farm's land for from the government in July 1969 stating $66,085, and 1.5 acres from Giles Wallace that the city's outstanding open space pro- for $51,000. ject was being used as a model by HUD in The next two parcels of land were in- connection with budget hearings to illustrate volved in litigation between the city and to Congress that these were the type of grant property-owners. The city offered Joe Ferm applications it would like to receive. $192,400 for his 14.80 acreage, but the court As a result of the approval, the city be- awarded $267,000 to the land owner. The van negotiations with the property owners. same happened with the Inon Corporation for Transactions took place with seven property its- 10 acre parcel when the city offered owners for their parcels of land. The other $151,000 and the courts awarded the owner four owners, not agreeing with the appraisal $221,630. price went into litigation with the city. The ninth piece of property acquired was The first parcel of land, a one-acre plot a portion of land surrounding the Standard was purchased from James L. Crowther and Oil Tank Farm. The city negotiated with Frank D. Rinaldi for $27,500. Standard Oil Company for 15.13 acres with a house on the property for $320,250. Aerial photo of park area looking south-east toward beach town. P '' Po xWp�"„gaaa'i x 'x n, r z x3 § ae °,r I n �rZN2 K w ;I a �"a 'a Mr`F r " ' a .w ax ' r n a,os ¢ x a' i�a s 1 ;. 'IR ° m ` r m a i a a x aa x �¢ � m aam c a as x k ^aa p a ¢� A x r,r,x x as x a.?>; a x a• �` 'a rb r x N g x x s xxx v g x- x x a a a= "rea`ra r: - *� 'a` g ''�,� �. ,„r ' a a x. n - xx,„ x �" 'sm :oq N x a r x rx a ,+ �• x ^x �r s a a �� xOR a ax aw�a ri 104 .as a" ,rarrn ' a� r -a'a c a am r . ',- ra- S R. xis a x x x re x x N' P -' r'x a a r, � : ,€° e a a x: k NN r w s a s x � ..� ��`� r'�r€ xa as x t rfi ;� a m . �' ° NIA ,�' ,� r x:a. m a10, -® m � >�sx " r- II UA811a s m r s - ro $ xaa �re a aaa s ; xa � r era r �a�x. ,s -�a € � ; -x.,. h,mar x,=;;a a w �� A # ax€``� 'a` �apxa a ��: x � ,� a��.« a � c "` "� a `��� a r�Sm�>r�� �'a �`�•� r x;�rra'�� a �a,a �x x�a a' ro �� �. The city received approval of a reloca- tion grant of $15,800. Three of the proper- ties had homes with occupants, Cresenciano Hernandez, Joe Ferm and the watchman from Standard Oil who had to be relocated. Since the Standard Oil house was occu- pied by the watchman and his services were needed for the remaining oil. property, the city agreed to allow him to live in the house and at the same time have someone to watch over the maintenance equipment stored there. Due to the rising costs of relocation, the laws were changed to reflect the increase and the city made an amendment to the original ' relocation grant of $15,800 asking for an addi- tional $24,200 which increased the grant to $40,000. The federal government paid 100 per cent of the relocation costs. ' The final two parcels of land in Phase I it E of the park were also caught up in litigation. Property owner Rollo McClellan was offered $165,760 for his 14.80 acres and he went to d, � a court where he was awarded $328,151. . Robert Warner was offered $62,500 for five acres of land and the court awarded $125,000. As a result of the court cases, the city petitioned for an additional grant of $272,873 over and above the original grant of $688,612 bringing the total to $961,483 for land ac- i quisition in Phase I. a . ' s � HUD approved the grants and amend ments and was obligated to pay 50 per cent of the increased amounts awarded in the l.itiga- } tion cases. Total amount granted for Phase I in- eludes $961,483 for land acquisition and a � fl $40,000 for relocation for a grand total of z. e A $1,001,483. P PHASE II o The city filed a second grant application � e with the HUD on March 2, 1970. The applica- tion requested $582,816 for acquisition of 50 acres of land in Phase II of the park. Since there were no homes in this section a reloca- Local fishermen show pleasure on catch of bass and catfish tion grant was not needed. On June 25, 1970, at Lake Huntington. the grant was approved and the contract ex- ecuted on November 2, 1971. t Although the grant was for acquisition of 50 acres, the city was able to acquire an addi- tional 10 acres through a surplus land ex- change. This increased the land acquisition to 60 acres with no increase in cost. All nine parcels of land involved in Phase LI were negotiated with the landowners and none'involved litigation. The first parcel of land was purchased from Mesa Associates for 13 acres at $271,700. 18 �Qwxl,gMh y x`�M1g: E" 4 e e, x.a, ~� , a fSp a' a d"z �*` AS wk Original artists view of library overlooking Talbert Lake. The next two were 12.6 acres from the Part of the area was used as a dump site state for $224,91.9 and .4 acres from Ruth and the other as a gravel pit operation. Yoder, for $14,970. Bruce Brothers Gravel. Pit was purchased by Kusayanagi Investment Company owned the city for $609,000 and included 20 acres. 14 acres which the city acquired by negotia- The other 20 acres owned by Sully, Miller ting a land exchange of 3.50 acres of surplus Company has not been purchased but will be land owned by the city in another location. negotiated at a later date. The next five acquisitions were 9.66 Bruce Brothers gravel pit will eventually acres purchased from Harriett Wachs for be developed,but plans have not been made as $219,204, .34 acres from First Western Bank yet. The 20-acre parcel has many great: possi- for $9,750, 1.33 acres from George Kachickas bilities and the ideas range anywhere from a for $43,483, 3.67 acres from Masao Nerio for kids' creative playground to a beautiful bo- $122,000 and 5 acres from Union Oil Compa- tanical garden. ny for $1.38,600. One suggestion has kids being allowed to The balance of the grant money received build their own forts, dig holes and create from the government was used to pay 50 per their own playground with old tires, chunks cent of all administrative, appraisal and con- of furniture, and lumber scraps under the sultant costs. supervision of-playground 'leaders. The city will eventually fill in the area and later de- velop the site as a more formal park. The land acquisition in Phase tl A in- DEVELOPMENT GRANTS volved 40 acres. This section of Central City Park has not been developed as yet but will Two grants for the development of eventually be part of the park. Phases I and II of Central City Park were The federal grant was applied for on applied for by the city. December 7, 1970,in the amount of $607,898. The first was submitted on. May 19, The application was approved on July 16, 1970, for $172,153. This was approved on 1971, and contract executed on October 1.6, July 8, and the contract executed on January 1971. 20, 1971. 1.9 The second was submitted on February M 1, 1974, for $145,:704. It was approved on July 16, and the contract executed on Sept- ember 28. The development grants totaled 12'/a pera cent of the estimated acquisition costs paid for by the Federal Government "and the re maining 8T/z percent was paid for by the ���" o City out of the Park and Recreation funds. MA PHASE III � Approximately 27/z acres of land ;sur rounding Phases I and II of the park has been , purchased by the city for'future development and may eventually become part of the park. lo The 10-acre eucalyptus tree grove facingzn Golden West Street was purchased from Gladys Bealo for $225,000. "" a �'' 76 Another 10-acre parcel fronting on Ed- _ y �2 wards Street was purchased from Thomas Clements for $242,423. A 2'/z-acre parcel was purchased from Maude Bibeault for $68,750 and a 5-acre ` '` " "`` ` parcel purchased from Joseph Curtis for On one of its preliminary studies Department of Fish and $137,500, leaving another 12'/z acres in the Game found several African clawed frogs that had to be re- center of the 40 acres. moved from the area, a rare species found around flood con- The city is negotiating for the remaining trol channels in Huntington Beach. The frogs, which were 12'/2 acres. Even though there have been no released or escaped from capture, are considered undesirable development plans made to date, it is as- as they feed on small fish and endanger the spawning process. sumed that the land may be incorporated into the park. The funds used to purchase this land came from the city's park funds as there were no federal funds available for these land ac- quisitions at the. time. Artist's conception of Huntington Central Park. . jV t NO ay k r av "yL __. y - F 'Prc. 15 .�y y �•_ `6f � a 0.4 3'F 4" HUNTINGTON CENTRAL PARK The State Department of Fish and Game keep tabs on all the wildlife in the park. Located between Edwards and Gothard Along with the bluegill, large mouth bass, Streets and Slater and Talbert Avenues, this sur_fish, goldfish and shad the department regional-type park in the heart of the city was stocks the lakes with catfish. acquired and developed with park bonds, sub- division fees, HUD grants and county revenue sharing funds. The city currently owns 270 acres and has developed 167 acres. Architects for the park are Eckbo, Dean, Austin and Williams (EDAW, Inc.) of Los Angeles, General Contractor Valley Crest Landscape, Inc. of Encino, is the builder. �;' The site contains'tw.o lakes, Lake Hunt- inpton east of Edwards Street and Lake Tal- bert, east of Golden West Street and a swamp area in the nature study section. The — }8 k park is also the site of the $4 million Hunt ington Beach Central Library and Cultural - o Center being designed by the architectural firm of Richard and Dion Neutra of Los " ' Angeles. , " � The park is designed to be primarily pas- sive, but will contain 30 acres of recreational ' fishing lakes with 12 acres planned for boat rentals. Food and bicycle rentals will also be available at two lakeside locations. A nature center with an 18-acre nature area has been " t set aside for ecologists and students to study the native habitat. A park ranger will be on hand to conduct guided tours. ` ` Walks and paths.wind in and out of the ,a open space areas through large groves of trees, .„ lush vegetation and wildlife. Although the pri- mary intent is to be a passive park, several other activities that will be compatible are t Rcamping, pY icnicking, ball playing and large a group gatherings. Observation shelters, rest a a a rooms and restaurants are interspersed` r . throughout the park. aW The park concessionaire,Prentice Taylor, will provide visitors with various necessities and services dispensed through, either of the w �a 71111 " two concession buildings. Row boats for row- ing or just fishing, sabots for sailing, bicyclesf " including tandems and sting-rays, pedal-carts with surreys, fishing tackle and gear will be available for rental. There will be fast food Group of ecologists taking water sample in nature area service, with sandwiches and drinks for sale at both Tom's Place and Huck's Hangout. A bait stand will stock fresh bait for the fisher- man at both lakes. The buildings were designed by John Wells and constructed by Benton Construe- ' tion Company of Laguna Beach. The design depicts the Tom Sawyer theme and the concessionaire will follow ' through with the workers wearing period cos- tunics. - 21. While taking' a stroll through the park 'tl � you might encounter a few mud hens, abF couple of roosters, some guinea hens and �'�. °' `�' pheasants along with the wild ducks and many species of birds. The nature paths are designed so that the t people may casually wander through the park s at their leisure. You may not recognize all. of the plants and shrubs as most of them have grown wild in the area for many years."Some of these are wild celery, wild radishes, sweet ,t r clover, mustard elderberries burning nettles t ! bull thistles and wild fennell among the weep- ing a - g willows. The natural mea&'o s on the Talbert Lake side of the park are sprinkled with wild flowers in the spring and purposely kept in its natural state so that the fauna that have made w 1. this their home over the years may still feed x on the wild seed of the flora. � The park will have benches in great � r numbers, adequate picnic tables, 22,000 � , shrubs, 12,000 trees, nearly a mile of nature paths, three campground barbeques, nine drinking fountains, three play areas, two foot- bridges and one bridge for maintenance vehi- cles and 18 major lighting units. Boys exploring east shore of Talbert Lake just under Eucalyp- tus trees. There will be six miles of paved paths for maintenance vehicles and planned are six major" parking lots to accommodate park EXISTING AND FUTURE patrons. PARK PROGRAM The park was designed for people to visit even though it will be a home for wild- A coordinated effort by the City Coun- life. A family can spend the whole day in the cil, Recreation and Parks Department and park each with something to enjoy. Commission, Planning 'Department and Com- Father and son Johnny might rent a boat mission, Design Review Board, and Environ- on Huntington Lake and rcw out to their mental Council have helped make Huntington favorite spot where they'll drop in fishing Beach a better place to live, by providing lines and catch a few fish. If he has forgotten parks and open space for the residents. tackle and neglected to bring bait, he can al- The city has become the number one ways stop at the fishing supply center on the city in park planning, acquisition and develop- lake and rent or purchase his needs. ment in Orange County and one of the top Meanwhile, mother and the little one in the state. will take a casual stroll over to the picnic Of the 534 acres owned, under lease, grounds and set up a table for lunch. On the negotiation or joint-power agreement, the way they might stop at the playground and city now has 38 developed parks, a total of give little one a swing or two. If mom brought 346 acres. hot dogs or hamburgers to barbecue, she There are recreational facilities for pub- might choose a table close to one of the: out- lie meetings, swimming, sports and programs door grills. for the tiny tots through the senior citizens -Daughter Susie while bicycling through including social, cultural, sports and super- the park, meets a friend and they want to vised playground activities. . share a coke but can't decide whether to go Huntington Beach has a total of 60 miles to Tom's Place or Chick's Harigout. After in bicycle trails planned, 60 miles of jogging lunch the whole family takes a walk over to trails planned with 2e/2 miles developed and 12 the Nature Center where they are given a miles of equestrain trails on the drawing complete tour. boards ready for approval. 22 Couple enjoy SblltUderd of passive park area. 514 . 1 AA 41 u f V, Ak P x ° * .fie t P r b r , F, vt i d v K 'fop ' . PAP a m d Pam " a :f 00 +�'Z k TY ky VX t& Nine new neighborhood parks and one _ `` "° �� community park were dedicated in April.. � "�° ��` �:w �`� � ��°° Edison Community Park received the State Environmental Award for community park = ter' ° design and development from-the California Park and Recreation Society. Located across from Edison High School and adjacent to Kettler Elementary School, the 40 acre park ` was a former county dump site and part of F Edison Company easement land. A community center, group picnic shelters, amphitheater, Bicycle enthusiasts trying out new paths. outdoor classroom, lighted softball fields, , handball, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard and volleyball courts are all located on the park site. 23 m :r n� t Under the supervision of the City Ad- N1 � �b ministrator, he appoints all other officers, assistants, deputies and employees of the a Recreation and Parks Department. d u This department has the authority to charge the public reasonable fees for the city 4 � building use and for expense. l RECREATION AND PARKS g COMMISSION e There is an advisory Recreation and Parks Commission composed of eleven members who 3 are appointed by the mayor and five members �p m are appointed for terms of four years and six a a � k ap;® m Ss members are appointed for terms of one year g each. A The mayor and council appoint five members from the city at large for four year terms. All of the terms terminate on July 1. ep The or also appoints six members for one- i n e mayor PP V. year terms. Each elementary and high school and junior college district having facilities within the city may recommend to the mayor two or more persons, residents of their re- spective school districts, and the city to . P 4 represent the district. One of these is appoint- ed by the mayor for a one-year term. The commission meets every second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. unless it is City Administrator David D. Rowlands a holiday. In such case, the following Wednes- day is designated. All meetings are open to the public. DEPARTMENT OF " § k RECREATION AND PARKSsmi The Department of Recreation and Parks ,.'r was established in order to secure the bene- fits accruing to the city from the growth and development of land within the city. The goal and objective of the depart- ment is to encourage, foster, facilitate, es tablish, and maintain in a SO systemized program of recreation on properties owned or con- trolled by the city or on any other properties with the consent of the owners and authorities i3 thereof. " The director of recreation and parks, sub- ject to prevailing administrative policy, as- sumes full responsibility for the managementON and overall coordination of all functions of a governmental agency concerned with the de- velopment and operation of a public recreation and park service. The director supervises divisions of city government pertaining to A .Fs recreation, park development and any other - use the City Council may so direct. He also serves as secretary to the Recreation and Parks Commission without vote. Norman L. Worthy 24 VA fi�� , EP s �a a ^e 6"a � �, s e # m y,� A x a. `J ar .fix a ary s .Na a r' as a a a�°�a fi� a ale x a�taz- r; �, ns ,. a :E 'a 1 ^''. a• '§ a P a a r a ai�k k ar » a�a� d a r�. aape"���,A "% aaas F, Recreation and Parks Commission (from left to right standing) Rod Cruse, chairman, Harry Turner, Tom Cooper, James Shepard, Lee Mossteller. Seated from left to right, Scott Flanagan, Betty Kennedy, William Barnes, James Curran, Kent McClish and Rudy Lozano. The commission acts in an advisory capacity to the council,, trustees of the school ' districts and the director of recreation and parks in park programming or facilities. Also . it cooperates with other governmental aoencies r and civic groups in the advancement of sound park and recreational planning under the direc- tion of the council. Commissioners may study . interpret, and report the needs of the public to the council and assists in securing financial support from the community for park and � � .� recreational needs. The Commission reviews the annual budget and advises on the current Vivian Borns Tom Bushard operational needs and long range plans for Recreation supervisor Park Superintendent capital improvement. i PARK OPERATIONS The Parks Division is responsible for the acquisition, development and maintenance of property for the purpose of providing visual a and physical enjoyment for Huntington Beach and. visiting residents in both passive and °a active environments. With continual increased citizen input into the city planning function through boards, commissions, councils, and citizens advisory teams, the need for more parks, open space, ' ; and overall city beautification has been ex- pressed. In 1973 the park subdivision and Duane Jenkins William Vance Park Supervisor Recreation Supervisor 25 unit-lot ordinances-were doubled to require Orange County. While this is partly due to residential builders to dedicate 5 acres of land organization and paid leadership, too much or equivalent cash value per 1,000 people pro- time and devotion to their "job" — the volun- vided for in their development. These ordi- teer coach. Far more important than the mak- nances, along with the $6 million parks bond, ing of steel into machines is the molding of $2.3 million HUD grant, and excellent co- boys and girls into men and women. Sports- operation from the local school districts en- manship and fair play are stressed. abled Huntington Beach to move forward in- The Recreation Division also provides an to,the No. 1 city in park planning, acquisition opportunity for many teens to become part of and development in Orange County. the staff as scorekeepers, officials or play- The duty of the park operations is to ground assistants. The benefit to them is provide satisfactory levels of maintenance for matched only by their influence on the youth 338 acres of parks and for the library-,'.,,city of the community. gym and pool, highway medians, pump stations, parking authority, and city yard. Duties of the maintenance force include mow- ing and edging turf areas, watering, pruning, raking, cultivating, spraying, renovating, fer u; tilizing, aerovating, rototilling, planting, land- scaping, cleanup and trash removal in all areas mentioned. The crew also works with volun- teer citizen groups in cleanup of major areas, j installation of playground apparatus and planting of trees. .. , , m RECREATIONr} t The Recreation Division is especially imNQ portant since it deals directly with Huntington Beach's most priceless commodity — it's peo- ple.' The division provides a variety of activi- Groundbreaking ceremonies for Huntington Central Park ties which enrich the lives of its citizens dur- were held on Friday, April 28, 1972. Many youth groups ing leisure hours. Boys and girls maybe in their including scouts planted trees to mark the occasion. recreation experience by joining a tiny tot swim class, learning the basics of ballet, or entering one of our pre-kindergarten programs. PLANNING DEVELOPMENT As a grade school youngster, he may wish to AND CONSTRUCTION participate in one of the many organized sports programs offered, perfect techniques Five years ago what is now Huntington in swimming, gymnastics, tennis, golf, or Central City Park was a no man's land in the srnply get together with others on one of the center of the city with an abandoned quarry, playgrounds where a wholesome and happy dumping ground and raw scraped land. atmosphere prevails. This presented quite a challenge to the Teenagers prefer a less structured pro- landscape architects, EDAW, Inc. (formerly 'gram and are very much in evidence at game known as Eckbo, Dean, Austin and Williams) rooms and open gyms. Teens also comprise who were, chosen as the project planners. the majority of players in mixed leagues. It was decided from the beginning that Classes in modern dance, yoga, backpacking, the project would not be made into an active slim gym, tennis, golf and dog obedience recreational playground with structured have brought teens and adults together with athletic facilities as .they were available in mutual interests. Additional classes which are other city parks. Instead the park would be a adult-oriented include oil painting, bridge and place where the residents could find Gan- cake decorating. quility away from urban pressures in a setting Sports programs for both boys and girls of lakes, rolling greenswards and a small wild- have been highly complimented throughout life preserve. 26 6, ; firm's primary goals has been to produce .ate work of the highest quality within the client's required time frame and budget. Working from a broad ecological base, EDAW approaches each project through prac- tical analysis of the unique condition associat- ed with the particular location. Design, plant selections, irrigation requirements and imple- mentation documents are then tailored to the specific project to insure maximum effective- , 1 ness. EDAW has received over forty major A awards in the last ten years for design and IN r' ** planning excellence. Principals on the job were f =� architects Francis H. Dean, Donald H. Tomp- �' kin* and Erik Katzmaier, associate. i, Valley Crest Landscape, Inc. of Encino, k has been in business since 1949 and experi- enced in landscaping, irrigation and site devel- opment work as both a contractor and sub _ t contractor during this period. The firm has subsidiaries and offices along the West Coast, 1 Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Washington. Some of the projects completed during "* e th last five years include Los Verdes Golf s . �s` � Course for the county of Los Angeles, Califor- nia Exposition for the State Corporation, Harbor Park in Los Angeles, and the Queen's Bridge for the City of Long Beach. Valley Crest has also completed many Cyclists stop to quench their thirst at one of many drinking parkway, freeway and multi-liousing planning fountains offered in park. projects. • Principals of Valley Crest Landscape, The firm planned the landscape program Inc. on the job were Neville (Red) Laatsch, to incorporate many of the existing trees and vice resident and Dave p Jennings, project shrubs along with carefully placed plants manager. which would screen out visable manifestations of civilization that surround the park. AT- Assisting EDAW, Inc. with the project were Development Research Associates, Alfred Caldwell, architect and Valley Crest Land- scape Inc., contractor. mo EDAW, Inc. has occupied a unique plac , in. the professions of landscape architecture ' and recreation planning since the firm's in- ception in 1939. It has been responsible fora substantial number of park projects through out the United States and in a number of V foreign countries. " ' The firm currently maintains offices in Newport Beach, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Minneapolis. The staff numbers more than b 60 professionals, including landscape archi- tects, planners, environmental scientists, en t +` �" �ineers, architects, economists, and cartog �`. �`..�� ` � r raphers. EDAW has created vital and widely Architect Francis Dean pointing out the many features recognized park designs for projects ranging that will be offered in park to Councilwoman Norma in size from the tiny Princess Park in Salsalito, B. Gibbs. California,to such major works as the Yose- mite National Park Support Study. One of the 27 �d r � ��r •Si i�� c Ica �� � -e��.a�ye w Erik Katzmaier Donald H. Tompkins EDAW,Inc. EDAW,Inc. Early construction period of Talbert Lake. Park Builders Dave Jennings, Neville Laatsch look over final plans. 9 ` This park would not have been possible if it had not been for the efforts of many s 4 citizens and residents in the community There would not be room to list every a S� individual or organization, but we especially would like to recognize a few who so graciously gave of their time over the last eight years. Past Recreation and Park Commissioners, Ralph Bauer Ron Bauer Ada Clegg, Dale Coogan, Robert Cooper, Louis DeHarb, Lorraine Faber, Norma Gibbs, Orville Hanson, Dennis Mangers, Charles Mashburn, Jay Mastroianni, Don Treece, Patti Truesdell, Bruce Williams, Neomia Willmore and John Wyatt. Past and-present City Council members, former planning commissioners and par- ticularly the press - including George Farquhar, Jack Broback and Don Keller who were very helpful during this time. 28 1 I I '.r i 9�t 3 x i1VT VI RIC IT WW ly- WEN a � 3is ° e � a 5 ----- - P � A R K S F O R P E O P L E Rld 'Mr-go jr 3 '¢ >x 1 i t r a { ° 5+ • HUNTINGTON BEACH HUNTINGTON CENTRAL PARK: 1074 A Publication Of The City Of Huntington Beach Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alvin M. Coen City Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David D. Rowlands Executive Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William G. Reed Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connie Bauer Assistant To The Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louise Woodruff Chief Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Flanagan Historical Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delbert G. Higgins Publication Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary DeWeese RESEARCH AND PHOTO ASSISTANCE Arline Huff Howard Mary Preston Ruth Slater Eva Preston Reamer Ella May Elliott Vivian Gothard Schultz Dr. Donald Shipley Marie Graser Norman Worthy Tom Bushard Floyd G. Belsito Photographs By Public Information Office Staff Reference: My 60 Years in California By T. B. Talbert 30 r 52 Ma 6 �. — m t m• ® Fa ROM sMOM A now Ac � e a "; ONO � ® INAP Azm all WK Awn e � a p m0. m, Phil" TZIM TWAS J a:. F x; e - "A. g PRO NO ago 1% S WHO W-V NM� gMi ',E e e a n s a ; a �s n Sz, RMS Egli off