OCEANSIDE — If you have visited Heritage Park recently you might have met Terry Ann Larson. For close to two years she has volunteered to lead park tours of the late 1980s historical buildings and provided information — and humor.
Behind the scenes she has helped restore and outfit the old school house, and began a computer-based inventory of park artifacts.
Larson was appointed as the first Heritage Park volunteer liaison, and was unanimously recommended by the city Parks and Recreation Commission on April 12.
“Ms. Larson has done an outstanding job,” Eileen Turk, Parks and Recreation division manager, said. “She is a passionate historian we’re lucky to call a volunteer in Oceanside.”
The new volunteer position of park liaison was established to ensure a go-to person is on site. Larson will oversee fellow volunteers who run daily operations, and meet weekly with Turk to provide park updates and set site goals.
“I’m very honored,” Larson said.
Larson said she has a strong love of history. She also works as a re-enactor, and performs and speaks at historical sites and schools.
As Heritage Park liaison she will move forward with park repairs, restoration efforts and archive management. The park includes a school house, newspaper printing business, pharmacy and jail.
“We’re trying to get an inventory of things labeled and researched, so you know what you’re looking at,” Larson said.
A major effort underway is renovation of a turn of the century house. Interior repairs are getting started.
Larson will also help organize and run the annual Heritage Day Festival in May, upcoming summer concerts, the Fall Festival and other park events.
Heritage Park opened to the public in the 1970s. The North County Model Railroad Society is also located at the park located at 220 Peyri Road.