Verdugo Mt. Park to Grow by 80 Acres?
In May of 2005, the Department of Recreation and Parks (DRP) acquired a narrow strip of 145 acres of land which now serves as a corridor between two existing halves of the Verdugo Mountain Park. The Verdugo Mountain Park is one of hillsides and canyons, prominent ridgelines and vistas. This Park provides for passive recreation and the preservation of native plant and wildlife habitats.
If current negotiations are successful, the City will acquire an additional 80.58 acres for the Park. This second expansion will extend to the West of the existing Park making it the City's sixth largest park. The expansion would provide additional access to the Park for adjacent communities with development and enhancement of hiking and equestrian trails and opportunities for interpretive outdoor classroom sessions. The proposed Park would then total 565.58 acres of preserved urban-adjacent Open Space.
On August 31, 2006 the L.A. for Kids Steering Committee approved the use of Prop 40 funds for acqusition of the property. The property, known as the Verdugo Mountain Park Acqusition Project, is presently in 45 day Escrow, however State funds designated for the Project have not yet been received. Therefore, in order to acquire this property, the City Council must officially authorize the use of $1,106,800, the cost of the property, in Council Districts Two's share of Prop 40 funds and temporarily authorize a loan from the City's Reserve Fund for the purchase which is to be reimbursed once Prop 40 monies are received from the State. SHPOA will keep you abreast of the status of this acquisition Project as we become aware of them.
