Saturday, March 8, 2008

Santa Ana pays tribute to a 'queen'

The city unveils a monument in the Logan neighborhood honoring longtime activist Josephine 'Chepa' Andrade.

By DOUG IRVING The Orange County Register

SANTA ANA – A neighborhood activist who spent her life fighting for this city's old Logan Barrio was honored today with a stone monument in a small patch of parkland she helped preserve.

The late Josephine "Chepa" Andrade was such a strong voice for the neighborhood that people took to calling her the Queen of Logan. Nearly 200 people turned out to watch city leaders unveil a new name for the neighborhood park, inscribed in stone: Chepa's Park.

The park itself is a tribute to a small group of Logan residents, including Andrade. Years ago, the city wanted to use the half-acre of land there for a street that would have cut through the middle of the Logan Barrio.

The neighborhood fought back and eventually convinced the city to withdraw its street plan and turn the land over for a park.

On Saturday, children darted across the park grass, dancers performed on the handball courts and state and local politicians took turns paying tribute to the legacy of Chepa. County Supervisor Janet Nguyen delivered a $5,000 check to buy the park a swing set.

The park's new sign features a carved portrait of Chepa, who died two years ago. A plaque describes her as "a tireless advocate for neighborhood improvement and involvement."

A new sign recognizes a park in Santa Ana's historic Logan Neighborhood as "Chepa's Park" in honor of longtime activist Josephine "Chepa" Andrade.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER