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SEPT. 30 PRAYER WALK IN THE NEWS
Tribes refocus attention on Glen Cove site
The peaceful 15-acre Glen Cove Waterfront Park, also referred to as the Glen Cove Shellmound, has been a point of contention between district officials and local Native Americans. The Vallejo InterTribal Council recently decided to refocus attention on the site -- considered sacred because of its early use as a burial site by many tribes -- after hearing of the new development timeline. "We're reaching out; it's time to stop this madness, it's time to stop this," InterTribal Council Community Advisor Norman "Wounded Knee" DeOCampo said. Another member of the TribalCouncil, Vice President Jim Stevens, said he does not view GVRD officials as "the bad guys," but believes they could look elsewhere to develop a park. "(The walk is) to bring awareness to the town and to local people in the Bay Area," Stevens said. "We haven't sat down with (GVRD officials) yet, but we're going to have to. It's not a respectful way of going about it; the site's been there a few thousand years." The district's 2007 plan for the area calls for the protection of a central portion of the site where Native American artifacts have been unearthed. The plan lays out a "low-intensity" project that would remove so-called "invasive species" that have moved into the area and taken over existing species. It also would change the land surface to allow a "more natural topography;" and place soil over the protected area during demolition of a mansion and care-takers house on the property. Trails, benches, picnic tables, bathrooms and a parking lot will also be added. "The whole area is a sacred burial site, not just one perimeter," DeOCampo said. "Leave it just like it is, let nature take its course. Let the people walk through there, run through there, walk their dogs." The GVRD bought the property from private ownership in 1983 "with the intent to develop it as a community park" and deed it to the city, according to the district's plan document. The district sees the park as important because it's near residential neighborhoods, and its ability to link public open space and park lands. "I feel like we've gone above and beyond with all involved and are making best efforts to preserve this into perpetuity and make sure that no one will have to worry about this coming up again," GVRD General Manager Shane McAffee said in response to news of the march. Contact staff writer Jessica A. York at (707) 553-6834 or jyork@thnewsnet.com.
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Spurred by the Greater Vallejo Recreation District's plan to begin removing non-native plant life from a sacred burial site this fall, local Native Americans will hold a prayer march next week.