VENTURA : City, Resident Show ‘Pride in California’

The city of Ventura and a Ventura woman have been chosen as two of 41 winners of the 1991 “Take Pride in California” award.

Ventura, the state Department of Parks and Recreation and the California Coastal Conservancy joined forces to forge a plan for the 120-year-old Ventura Pier, prompted by a damaging winter storm in 1986 and rising maintenance costs.

Their efforts have secured $3.5 million in state restoration funding and an agreement allowing transfer of the pier’s ownership from the state to the city in early 1993 upon completion of the work.

As part of the restoration, pilings and decking will be replaced, fish-cleaning facilities, a snack bar and a bait shop will be added, the entrance plaza will be widened, and benches, restrooms and lighting will be upgraded.

A sculpture titled “Wavespout” later will be erected through a 10-by-60-foot hole cut through the pier’s deck.

Designed by San Francisco artist Ned Kahn, the artwork will act as a small blowhole.

Frances Carter of Ventura was chosen as an award recipient for donating more than 1,500 hours in 1990 and 1991 to increase community awareness of Channel Islands National Park.

She volunteers for the park and for Friends of Channel Islands National Park.

“Take Pride in California” is sponsored by the state Department of Parks and Recreation and the American Express Philanthropic Program to recognize individuals and groups that conduct outstanding stewardship projects to protect the state’s natural, cultural or historic resources.