Shipley Nature Center in jeopardy

Jose Paul Corona

One of the city’s natural resources, the Shipley Nature Center,

has been laid out on the chopping block as city administrators

attempt to navigate the ongoing budget crunch.

A drop in sales tax revenue along with a rise in costs for other

city programs has forced the city to look at different ways of

trimming the budget, said City Administrator Ray Silver.

As a result of the budget shortfall the Shipley Nature Center, in

Huntington Central Park, may close.

It is just one of the city-run programs that is in danger of being

cut in order to balance the budget. The Drug Abuse Resistance

Education program, which aims to keep children from using drugs is

also on the hit list, Silver said. It is the second year in a row

that DARE has come perilously close to extinction.

In an attempt to cut $3.5 million from the city’s budget, Silver

is also recommending that the city eliminate 42 jobs in order to deal

with the budget crisis. But it is not as bad as it sounds Silver

contended, saying about half of those jobs are currently vacant. The

city will also ask employees to participate in its retirement

incentive program. If employees chose to take part in voluntary

retirement program few, if any jobs may be lost.

The current state budget, as proposed by Gov. Gray Davis, will cut

about $400,000 in city revenue, Silver said. That money has to be cut

from somewhere.

The nature center costs the city $113,000 per year to run, said

Ron Hagan, director of community services.

The relatively hefty price tag, makes it a viable option for

extinction.

The 18-acre Shipley Nature Center, which has been open since 1974,

has a variety of habitats frequented by different types of birds and

other native wildlife. A half-mile self-guided nature trail,

grasslands and a freshwater wetland are also located at the center.

School groups from Huntington Beach and surrounding cities visit

the center and learn about nature and how it works, said park

naturalist David Winkler.

A closure would be a significant loss to the community, Winkler

said.

“Let’s face it, we don’t have a lot of nature around here,” he

added.

It would be a tremendous loss to the city, agreed Kyle Dahl, a

resident and frequent visitor to the center for the last 25 years.

“I think it’s devastating to the city of Huntington Beach to have

a fixture of over three decades go away simply for cost over care,”

Dahl said.

The decision will ultimately fall to the City Council. Fortunately

for Winkler and the center, the council has evolved into one with a

decidedly environmental bent.

“I would almost guarantee that it will survive,” said Councilwoman

Shirley Dettloff.

Although council members are prepared to make some tough decision

in order to balance the budget, Dettloff was adamant in her

convictions -- something Winkler hopes he can bank on.

The park naturalist, and sole full-time employee has worked at the

center for the past 26 years. A closure would put Winkler and three

part-time staff members out of work.

“I think it would be really sad if it were to close,” said

Councilman Peter Green. “Thousands of kids go through there every

year. Kids need to see what Huntington Beach once looked like.”

On Monday the City Council will hold the first of five budget

workshops to discuss ways of dealing with the shortfall at 4 p.m. in

the lower level of the council chambers, 2000 Main St.

* JOSE PAUL CORONA covers City Hall and education. He can be

reached at (714) 965-7173 or by e-mail at jose.corona@latimes.com.