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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Information Re Item B from Carla Watson during Closed Session of 5/9/2016c'QX la. Wa+SO ^ G05e�1 �eSSion mee4 o�'9 J=2t�14 May 10, 2015 Re I +ems B J Dear Council members, As a former Chair of the Gum Grove Park group and long time activist in the cause of saving Gum Grove Park, I am so concerned that someone or group, would take it upon themselves to destroy trees and natural habitat in our beloved and historical nature park. I certainly hope that this Council will take action against this group or person who has defiled a treasured Seal Beach sanctuary. I am sure that besides criminal action against these defilers, civil action should also be approved so that the city will be compensated for this terrible and illegal destruction of public property. Thank you. Jane Mc Cloud former Chair of Gum Grove Park Group Openshaw, David English 8, Per. 6 5 -12 -96 Gum Grove Park The matted trail, randomly sunlit, Burrows through the slanted trees Like a broken, oblong squiggle, An elongated leopard spotted by shadow. Jittery, bright- backed birds churn the air to droning. Shade- .emitting boughs, droppers of feather -like foliage, Weave a wavering roof of green, Reducing the sky to chunks, plane -less and pure, While butterflies, carved from colorful zebras, Flit evasively. Still, on our left exists a dreary reminder: A sagging fence divides magic realms From the futuristic, metallic, cylindrical Constructions of man. THE GUM GROVE NATURE PARK Historical Look At The Hellman Ranch Early inhabitants of the Seal Beach area were the Tongva (Gabrielino) Indians, a gentle non - warring people who used basket making to re -tell their life stories from generation to generation. Even today, artifacts can be found as reminders of this unique era. In approximately 1881, John Bixby proposed a three way purchase of land available because the previous owner defaulted on his loan. J.W. Hellman was one of the purchasers whose property became the Hellman Ranch. Originally the land included 8,400 acres from north of Katella to the ocean and from the San Gabriel River to Anaheim Landing, which is now a port for the Seal Beach Navy Weapons Station. The Hellman Ranch grew sugar beets and barley for human consumption plus hay and grain for live stock feed. Each winter, a cattle drive from Paso Robles brought beef cattle that fed on the beet tops until market time. Later, alfalfa was grown and sold for dairy feed to the Artesia dairies. Creation Of Gum Grove Nature Park In the early 1900's, Hellman ranchers planted eucalyptus trees which were used as fuel for cooking and heating. In winter time, ranch hands cut and corded the wood for the next year's use. Ranchers took only what was needed thus ensuring continued re- growth of the forest. Today, the remaining trees are part of eleven acres known as Gum Grove Nature Park, which is the only urban forest in West Orange County. The City of Seal Beach has had an agreement with the Hellman heirs to lease the Gum Grove as a community wilderness park. The cost of the lease is payment of property taxes. The Seal Beach Junior Woman's Club was actively involved during the 1970's in making this lease agreement possible. This organization also obtained community support for park amenities such as a water line and picnic areas. Wilderness Adventures At The Park Visitors to the park may see a variety of wildlife such as skunks, opossum, ground squirrels, toads, tree frogs, salamanders and an occasional fox visiting from the wildlife refuge at the Navy Station. At peak times, Monarch butterflies cover the trees during winter stopovers in the park. Bird watchers can see Great Blue Herons, the Great Egret, the Snowy Egret and at least two birds of prey, the American Kestrel and Red Tailed Hawk. Hummingbird nests are plentiful and Logger Head Shrikes can be seen catching insects which they impale on thorns for storage until eating at a later time. Additional sightings may be Black Phoebes, Black Headed Grosbeaks, White Crowned Sparrows, Cedar Waxwings and more. Park visitors can plan on seeing at least 30 bird species per visit. Gum Grove Nature Park is a special place for wildlife enthusiasts and anyone who wants to walk or commune in a peaceful, nature filled environment. Current Restoration Efforts The Save Gum Grove Park Group was formed in 1988 to educate the City Council that over 2,000 citizens wanted the park preserved in its entirety rather than losing it to proposed development. Having succeeded, the current Gum Grove Nature Park Group has evolved to assist the park into its second century. Since the mid 1980's the park has been infested by the Eucalyptus Longhorn Borer, an Australian insect with no local predators. The borer destroys outer layers (cambium) beneath the bark, eventually killing the entire tree. This pest was able to infest the grove during several drought years when the trees were stressed and unable to defend themselves. When healthy and well irrigated, the trees produce moist bark and ample sap, all of which counteract the borer's efforts to penetrate the tree. The Gum Grove Nature Park Group was able to obtain the services of Linda Romero, a Forester with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. From October to December 1995, Romero evaluated the park's trees in order to develop a management plan. This included identification of 100 severely infested or dead trees. In February 1996, the Seal Beach city staff arranged for the infested trees to be cut down by a consulting arborist firm. The Orange County Fire Authority is also working with the Gum Grove Nature Park Group, the City, and the State Forester in removal of infested wood and development of a comprehensive restoration plan. The Gum Grove Nature Park Group is dedicated to restoring and preserving, for future generations, the health of West Orange County's only urban wilderness forest. Fund raising efforts are currently underway, and when we reach our established goal, the Hellman heirs have committed to matching a portion of those funds. These funds will provide for the planting of new trees, an irrigation system, and related park amenities. Gum Grove Day Sunday May 12th, the Group will sponsor Gum Grove Day. This community event will feature: .Bird watching tours Crafts (-Games 1 IKite flying Children's martial arts demonstration CnLocal cub scouts plant first tree CSilent auction Concert by Los Alamitos High School Jazz Band Community participation and financial contributions will further strengthen the Gum Grove Nature Park Group's ability to accomplish ongoing Eucalyptus Longhorn Borer control, and a healthy forest environment for it's second century of life. W, W4 .i 4 �� ♦ _ / . I` � _ • +tom � � '�� . v ■'> Y�. s r � h T • f Y !�4 X ��• . y c. dr. - f• . , i