Victory For Open Space In Orange County As Coyote Hills Development Voted Down

After nine years of tireless battle, the Coyote Hills Task Force experiences victory. photo by Shirley Gregg

An air of celebration permeated the Fullerton City Council chambers after the 3-2 vote to deny Chevron subsidiary, Pacific Coast Homes', application to build 760 homes plus a commercial strip at West Coyote Hills. The City hearing was well attended by Coyote Hills Task Force members and citizens who oppose the project. Speakers against the development outnumbered supporters two to one. 'This is an interim victory for the Coyote Hills Task Force, and we're continuing our work to save the entire 510-acre site for a park and reserve,' said Chair Helen Higgins.

Griffith Park in Orange County

The Coyote Hills Task Force has worked tirelessly for nearly nine years to preserve West Coyote Hills as a major Park and Reserve with access for recreation and education. 'The site has the potential to become Orange County's equivalent to L.A.'s Griffith Park,' said task force member Wendell Hanks. 'Not only does it have an extremely healthy Coastal Sage ecosystem that boasts 15 rare and endangered species, but also there are artifacts from prehistoric times. In fact, the site's human history mimics the dramatic cultural rise of Southern California, from its Gabrielino and Hispanic roots to its agricultural base to the discovery of oil.' If you wish to see the site, free naturalist-led monthly hikes are offered (schedule below).

Coyote Hills, near Rosecrans and Euclid in Fullerton, is alive with an incredibly intact Coastal Sage ecosystem. The site has 55 pairs of Federally Threatened California Gnatcatchers, 69 family groups of endangered Coastal Cactus Wrens and an array of plants and other animals that are part of a healthy Coastal Sage community that is unique to Southern California. (Because of over development, only about five percent of this ecosystem still remains in the world.)

A Park and Reserve

The Task Force has identified monies to purchase and maintain the property at fair market value. The group remains committed to its vision of a major nature reserve for the million plus people who reside in the region. 'The public's desire to experience nature and open space far exceeds its availability,' said Hanks. 'This is our only chance to have such a park. Coyote Hills is the last remaining native land in California's second most densely populated region.' The Coyote Hills Task Force continues to confer with its legal and professional advisors to determine the next best steps in its continuing efforts to save the Hills. Everyone knows that preserving this last open space in north Orange County is the right thing to do. The arguments have been made. A park is what is needed and wanted by the regional population. The Task Force is ready to work on the next phase: the realization of a Park and Reserve.

Free naturalist-led hikes

Summer sunset hikes: July and August, Second Sundays, 6-8 pm Regular morning hikes: September through June, Second Saturdays, 8-10am Meet at the riding ring, Laguna Lake Park, Lakeview at Euclid, Fullerton