City reopens Heisler Park

Hot dog! Heisler Park reopened Tuesday

A well-attended ribbon cutting and public picnic celebrated the completion of a renovation project that had closed portions of the park since Labor Day.

“We served more than 1,000 hot dogs,” Assistant City Manager John Pietig told the City Council Tuesday night.

The crowd exceeded Pietig’s expectations, but was warmly welcomed to the rededication, which he had orchestrated.

It was the culmination of years of work that began with a 50-year master plan for the preservation and renovation of the park. A contract was awarded in July 2007 for the construction of Phase 1, which focused on the areas above Rockpile and Picnic beaches.

The celebration included recognition of creative, construction and financial contributors to the $5 million project, which began when a man walked into City Manager Ken Frank’s office and said, “I’m getting you some money.”

The man was Paul Moribito, then chairman of the California Coastal Conservancy.

“We ended up with $250,000, which was seed money,” Frank said. “Without that initial incentive, we would not be here today.”

The city came up with $3.2 million for the project, which augmented the $1.8 million grants from the State Water Quality Control Board and Orange County.’

Special recognition was given to landscape architects Larry Steinle and Jim Docksteader, contractor Richard Faris and his associates Mary Opel and Kevin Moran, architect Gary Whitfield, City Project Manager Wade Brown, and the Parks Division, which deserved a big hand for getting the park ready for show time, Pietig said.

“I had general oversight of the project, but Wade did the day-to-day management and he deserves the credit,” Pietig said. “He was in charge from concept to just about 10 minutes ago.”

Pietig also cited Parks and Building Manager Vic Hillstead.

“I am deputizing all of you,” Mayor Jane Egly told the crowd. “If you see anyone messing with the grass or the bushes, call me.”

Construction of Phase 1 began on Labor Day.

The project included two new public restrooms, reconfigured pathways and overlooks for viewing the ocean. Landscaping, irrigation, lighting and grass were replaced or improved. The bluffs were stabilized, and water quality in the Heisler Park Marine Reserve was better protected by creating bioswales to direct runoff. A nuisance water diversion device will be added this fall.

Pietig also said the ornamental natural rock walls that were added to complement the tiered area gives Picnic Beach at the foot of Myrtle Street its name.

“Rockpile was finished this morning,” Pietig said. “And new stairs will be completed by July 12.”

Other than that, Phase 1 is pretty much done.

“But we are still seeking funds for Phase 2, which is the middle of the park around Monument Point,” he said.

The celebration began at 11:30, with city department heads serving their staffs, Junior Lifeguards and the general public their choice of hot dogs, turkey dogs or veggie dogs.

Police Chief Mike Sellers provided aprons for the cooks — red for the fire department, blue for the police, and green for the financing and administrative heads.

Pietig said credit for the prep work went to his right hand, Leah Nealon, and to Pavilions Manager Charles Gnesda, who supplied the hot dogs, buns and condiments, and also helped cut up 18 watermelons.

All of the City Council members attended and participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I think everyone had a really good time,” Pietig said.

BARBARA DIAMOND can be reached at (949) 494-4321 or [email protected].