The Orange County Register

An impassioned request by Fullerton resident Chris Heusser on behalf of a citizens' committee helped convince the City Council Tuesday to rename the West Coyote Hills Nature Preserve in honor of former Mayor Robert E. Ward.

The 73-acre site, now owned by Chevron on land west of Euclid Street in the West Coyote Hills, has been earmarked for a nature preserve with plans for an interpretive center, habitat restoration, interpretive signage and trails.

Heusser stressed that Ward had vigilantly monitored developments and open space in the east and west Coyote Hills for the past 21 years. Nearly 25 supporters in the audience agreed that Ward continues to work toward protecting the ``fragile ecosystem'' in the city.

Only Councilman Chris Norby opposed the name change, indicating the city should set a policy to name streets, parks and other developments only for people who are deceased.

``I would vote for the item if Coyote Hills Nature Preserve was part of the name,'' Norby said.

But other council members disagreed, instead approving ``Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve.''

Councilman Mike Clesceri said, ``We shouldn't wait until someone passes on. This is small recognition for someone who has given so much for so long.''

Contacted at home minutes after the vote, Ward said he was honored -- and humbled -- to have the park named in his honor.

``The preservation of open space in Coyote Hills and other places in the city is important for all the people of the city,'' said Ward, 78, who served on the City Council for nearly a decade. ``I was deeply involved, but there were hundreds of others who helped me. This would not have happened had it not been for their help.''

Ward said he respected Norby's viewpoint, but doesn't agree that people should be honored after they're deceased. ``It's the judgment of the council,'' he said.

A Fullerton resident since 1951, Ward traced his interest in open land to his childhood in rural Wisconsin. Raised on a dairy farm in Bear Creek, he fondly recalled the open land still preserved by his family.

``My father was a state assemblyman in the Wisconsin State Legislature, and that's probably where I got my interest in politics,'' Ward said. ``Dad was always interested in doing things for the public good.''

In unrelated action, the council:

Approved rezoning the north side of Rosecrans Avenue near Sunny Ridge Place from ``greenbelt'' to ``government facilities'' to allow the relocation of Fire Station 6 from Gilbert Street and Pioneer Avenue. As part of a development agreement, developers in Amerige Heights and West Coyote Hills will fund the new station. The Planning Commission voted earlier in the year to name the station in memory of late Fire Chief Steve Magliocco.

Memo:city council additionCopyright 2001 The Orange County Register
Record Number: 51920870

Note: Portions of this article not related to open space were deleted.