lagunabeachindy . com NOVEMBER 10 , 2023 17
GUEST OPINION :
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WALK IN THE CANYON
“ Together We Saved Laguna Canyon – Nov . 11 , 1989 ”
by Gene Felder
Each of us who were there on that eventful day November 11 , 1989 will forever remember the excitement , the exhilaration of the roaring crowd and the beauty of the moment we heard the founder of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy ( LCC ), Councilwoman Lida Lenny say , “ Boy am I glad you are here !”. The Walk from the Festival of Arts grounds to “ The Tell ” at Sycamore Flats where Mayor Bob Gentry led a crowd honoring Veterans being recognized and acknowledged for their contributions to preserving and saving America in WW II . The cry was “ Save Laguna Canyon ” which was threatened by the approved Irvine Company 3,200 housing tract Irvine Company development called Laguna Laurel . Much of the thanks goes to two marketing and political savvy individuals who stepped up to the plate ; Harry Huggins and Charles Michael Murray . They brought forth the concept to LCC President Carolyn Wood to raise public awareness to save the canyon uniting the community . The LCC was the lead group , but co-sponsors were Laguna Greenbelt , Village Laguna , the City of Laguna Beach and the Chamber of Commerce . Harry Huggins was the Executive Director of the Walk and what a success it was bringing an estimated 10,000 protesters , and the Irvine Company to their negotiating knees .
Harry and Charles and committee did stellar work garnering great publicity for “ The Walk ” obtaining Jose Feliciano radio public service announcements . Committee chairs included Richard Henrikson , Kurt Cornell , Joel Easton , Linda Eckman , Ken Kube , Camille Bertolet , Jim and Linda Rushing among others .
The LCC had one sole employee Executive Director Mike Phillips , a former newspaper reporter , who made many contributions .
The Walk changed many lives forever and helped Save the Canyon . Of the young people singing on stage , some have gone on to careers in environmental sciences , and regional park management , including Barbara Norton and Harry Huggins . Others became an environmental designer , a mountain top climber , a traveling camper of all the National Parks .
Elementary School age students from the Community Learning Center at Top of the
World School marched together in the SAVE OUR CANYON walk in 1989 . They had prepared for months for their performance of singing ‘ VISION ’ as part of the program in the Canyon . VISION was written by Wendy Milette , who also directed the children in their performance . Wendy , a long-time environmental activist and teacher , remains committed to inspiring young people to be stewards of the earth . Derek Ostensen and Todd Osborne are two of the singing students who have been active in environmental causes as adults . Derek in particular has been indispensable in the Proposition 12 open space lot purchases and the success of the Laguna Canyon Foundation . Jahmar Millette teaches kids about the environment as his mother Wendy does today .
So , many people who were not there that day , now drive down Route 133 Laguna Canyon Road from the crowded interior of the OC and gasp and “ ahh ” over the beauty of the drive into Laguna Beach . They have many volunteers to thank who worked so very hard to Save Laguna Canyon .
The Laguna Canyon Conservancy continues its work to protect the environment and keep Laguna Canyon small-scale and rural . The LCC is a volunteer environmental group dedicated to save Laguna Canyon and preserve it as natural . See website at www . LagunaCanyonConservancy . org to become a member or learn about past and future educational programs .
Gene has been a board member of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy for 34 years , serving as vice-president in 1989 .
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