Several plaques next to Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach Central Park were recently stolen. Honoring three-time former Huntington Beach Mayor and former California State University Long Beach Professor Donald D Shipley, the plaques credited his preservation efforts at Bolsa Chica Wetlands and the 356-acre Central Park.
According to Huntington Beach City Historian Jerry Person, Shipley joined forces with other concerned citizens such as a former Huntington Beach mayor and California State University Long Beach professor, Norma Brandel Gibbs.
When the plaques were reported missing, swift action was taken, according to Jacqueline Tran, Executive Director of Shipley Nature Center. “Members of the Huntington Central Park Collaborative worked with Friends of Shipley Nature Center and the City of Huntington Beach to file a police report,” she said.
Huntington Beach Police Department quickly got on the case and received information that the two plaques were found when Fountain Valley police arrested a bicyclist arrested for other reasons.
The plaques were transferred to HBPD and directly handed to Tran.
“Friends of Shipley Nature Center is working with the City to determine a suitable secure place for the plaques,” she said.
“Thefts of this type are never acceptable behavior in a civil society,” said former HB mayor and current Councilman Pat Burns. “I am saddened that someone would steal from our parks.”
Virginia Ross, a Huntington Beach resident who walks in the park with her son, Steve, and her dogs daily said:
“I felt really sad that someone would do such a thing but I’m happy they found the plaques.”