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Wheelchair path unites community

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Contributed by: Michael Hoffman on 7/17/2007

Look for future improvements to Oxnard's wheelchair accessible path to the ocean.

Miriam Green of Palo Alto promised that she would be asking city officials for help to expand the path, which is named after her late father Ed Hunt, a former Oxnard resident.

Hunt originally lobbied area officials for a beach path after a stroke in 1989 reduced his mobility. He hated not being able to get down to beach, said Green. The path was installed in 1992 at Oxnard Beach Park and expanded over the years to almost 900 feet.

"Now it's time to start discussing extending the path," Green said.

Green was among the hundreds who attended an annual Ed Hunt Rehab Point Project Picnic at the park Sunday. Sponsored by the Ed Hunt Rehab Project, the gathering is the group's annual social event, providing a chance for those interested in accessibility issues to come together. [ For a version of this story with more photographs, click here.]

When Green spoke, she directed her comments to Oxnard Mayor Tom Holden and Councilman Andres Herrera, both of whom attended the event. Holden reminded those attending the picnic how Hunt had lobbied him for the path before his death.

More than two dozen service organizations sent representatives to man booths at the picnic. Members of the Elks Lodge No. 1443 provided a barbeque lunch. A clown and an arts and crafts booth entertained the children.

Organizers recognized area volunteer Gloria Chinea for her years of service to the community by awarding her the group's annual Community Award. Chinea retired from St. John's Regional Medical Center earlier this year after 21 years there.

"Gloria, you are everywhere," Harriet Weigel, a member of the rehab point project, told the crowd. "When it comes to thinking of someone who is involved in the community, I think of you."

Chinea said she maintains a positive attitude about improving the community. In accepting her award, she cited an author who helps her maintain a good attitude. When one isn't making progress in life, one forward step will stop the backward motion, she said. Another step moves a person toward their goal, she said. A third step brings forward momentum.

"At any point, you are just three steps away from a positive outcome," she said.

That's the type of attitude that helped build the accessible path in the first place. And it's the type of action that Green and other members of the rehab point project will take to bring about any future expansion.

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