June 2nd, 2010 will mark a sad day in the history of the Long Beach Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. At 7:30 in the morning, the Executive Board will meet inside our Sea Base facility to vote on selling off a generous gift by one of our local business leaders to the youth of our community.
I am of course speaking about Will J. Reid Scout Park, located just south of Del Amo Blvd, adjacent to the Los Angeles river system. This approximately 12 acres of open space was gifted to our local Scouts in 1941; and includes classrooms, a pool, and amphitheater; and has hosted thousands of our local youth over the decades. There, they have perhaps had their first camping experience, learned how to cook in the outdoors, shot B B guns and arrows, learned the proper handling of woods tools, and just enjoyed communing with nature, all without leaving our city limits. What a rarity for an urban community such as ours.
I don't believe that Will J. Reid intended for this property to be sold for development, but rather to stay in the hands of those that would cherish it as a retreat in a big town. If you share these thoughts, and especially if you yourself or your family have had fond memories of this camp, please help me in saving this gem.
Again, the vote to sell this facility will take place at the BSA Sea Base, adjacent to the Long Beach Yacht Club, at 7:30 A.M. on June 2nd (Wednesday). This is early enough that you might consider stopping by on your way to work and making your thoughts known to the Board Members, as they assemble.
You may also consider contributing to our Friends of Scouting campaign, as a way of preserving our park...
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