In the Pipeline: Let’s reclaim Central Park from the bad guys

“I don’t feel safe there anymore.”

“It’s become too sketchy.”

“I won’t go there again with my kids.”

Those are some of the many messages I’ve received from readers in the past few months about Central Park in Huntington Beach. I understand exactly what they’re saying, and for the most part I agree with them. Especially when it comes to young moms pushing children in strollers, unaccompanied by another adult.

It’s no secret that for several years, Central Park has been degrading. Parking lot drug deals, a growing graffiti problem, male prostitution in the bushes near Gothard Street, increasing amounts of trash and homeless encampments all add to an increasingly foreboding mood at the park, especially late in the day.

More than a few times, I’ve seen what I would describe as a suspicious man or two near the men’s room while walking our dog, and I’ve gotten involved when I’ve seen them approach young women who don’t seem to want to be bothered.

Steve Engel is aware of the issues, and he’s taking action in one of the most beautiful ways imaginable. Since last year, he and a group of volunteers have been working to cultivate and make presentable the Secret Garden, located behind the library at the park, not far from the concrete bandstand. The quiet, tightly wound path is bursting with beautiful and flagrant flowers, bushes and trees, thanks to their efforts.

Working under the auspices of the Huntington Beach Tree Society, Engel and his wife, Shari, along with Debbie Killey, Juana Mueller, Betty Rhinertson and others have created a magical little respite in the park. He told me that Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionaries and other volunteers have contributed many hours to the project.

“Councilman Barbara Delgleize has taken walk-throughs with us,” he said. “She’s been very responsive, which we appreciate.”

I can vouch for Delgleize’s proactivity in the park, since she was the first council member to get involved with the bird-feeding issue I brought up months ago. She didn’t just pay it lip service; she acted on it and continues to work behind the scenes to help solve crimes being committed against animals in the park.

For Engel, a 27-year Boeing project manager, working to make the park a better place by investing so much time and energy in the Secret Garden is as rewarding as it gets. And he has some history here.

“Donald Shipley, whom the nature center is named for, was my professor at Long Beach State. He is the reason I was drawn to volunteering in Central Park in the first place,” Engel said.

Jean Nagy formed the nonprofit Huntington Beach Tree Society 30 years ago. Engel credits her with starting something of a movement in the city.

“The tree society has been an integral part of preservation and conservation here in Huntington Beach since it was founded. And it’s always looking for volunteers,” he said. “There are other things too. We are all part of the Beautification, Landscape and Tree Committee, which meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Jill Hardy, Councilwoman Delgleize and Councilman Billy O’Connell also attend the meetings, along with Travis Hopkins, the head of public works, among others.”

Engel also told me about Go Request, a free mobile app that connects to the help line of whatever city you are in at the time. It’s available for Apple and Android. Engel describes it as a powerful “observe and report” tool should you see something that needs attention.

The good people who work constantly to bring the garden to life also tend to other parts of the park. But they can’t do it alone. I know the City Council is aware of what is happening in the park, and I’m hopeful the members will take the right steps to add some much-needed authority there.

I think a single officer on bike patrol each afternoon would make a huge difference. Engel agrees, but he also sees the need for an ambassador program similar to what takes place downtown. He’s working to help that process too.

What you can do is be vigilant whenever you visit the park. Let’s not let certain elements take away one of our richest natural resources. No young mother in Huntington Beach should be scared to push her baby stroller through the park.

If you see people marking up the walls or making small campfires in the words, observe someone you feel is suspicious or run into off-leash dogs or or anything else that seems inappropriate or illegal, now you know an easy way to report it.

Thank you again to Steve and everyone else who gives so much time to Central Park. They make a difference, and they need more support from the rest of us.

We cannot let this place slip away further. Now is the time to take back Central Park.

CHRIS EPTING is the author of 25 books, including “Legendary Locals of Huntington Beach.” You can follow him on Twitter @chrisepting or at facebook.com/hbindependent.