Countywide : New Park Renamed After Wieder to Open in 1995

County officials are converting a 12-acre bluff overlooking the Bolsa Chica wetlands into a regional park that is being renamed after Harriett M. Wieder, who is leaving the County Board of Supervisors this year after more than a decade of service.

The park, previously known as Bolsa Chica Regional Park, will stretch from Pacific Coast Highway up to the western edge of Huntington Central Park, at the corner of Talbert Avenue and Edwards Street.

“It probably has one of the best views around,” said Patti Schooley, parks district supervisor for the county. “You get a fantastic view of the (Bolsa Chica) ecological preserve and a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean.”

The county has been acquiring land for the linear park for several years. An initial 12-acre phase is expected to open in the spring. Officials hope the park one day will stretch for more than 50 acres as the county slowly acquires adjacent land.

Much of the undeveloped land in the area is now used for oil extraction. As the oil wells are shut down, the county hopes to add the land to the park, Schooley said.

Earlier this fall, the Board of Supervisors voted to name the park after Wieder, who represents Huntington Beach and surrounding communities.