On August 12, 2002, after a decade of working with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Mountains and Conservation Authority and Browning Ferris Industries, toward the preservation of the heart of the Santa Clarita Valley woodlands, a beautiful 507-acre parcel of land was dedicated as the “Michael D. Antonovich Open Space Preserve.”
“This project represents another step forward in our commitment to preserve open space areas for the enjoyment of Los Angeles County’s families, equestrians and hikers,” said Supervisor Antonovich.
The park contains one of the finest mixed forest in Southern California, with species of Big Cone Douglas Fir, five species of Oak, California Bay Laurel, Foothill Flowering Ash, Sycamore, Big Leaf Maple and California Walnut Woodlands.
The unique preserve also contains significant natural wildlife habitat along with the Gavin Canyon riding and hiking trail. Known as the “mountains to the sea trail”, the Gavin Canyon trail is part of “the rim of the valley” trail that begins in Ventura County and crosses into the Santa Clarita Valley. The open preserve is also a critical connection between the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.
On April 30 of the same year, the Board of Supervisors transferred the adjacent 3,500-acre Santa Clarita woodlands property to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority while retaining a permanent easement for the Gavin Canyon trail.
Dedicated on September 22, 2003, the “Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park” at Joughin Ranch is a open space preserve located in the Santa Susana Mountains between Chatsworth and Simi Valley.
At 2326 acres, the property is one of the region’s largest open space parks and part of the Los Angeles County Significant Ecological Area and the California Department of Fish and Game’s Significant Natural Area.
Providing a crucial link in the wildlife corridor between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Los Padres National Forest, it contains extensive oak and walnut woodlands and riparian corridors with year-round surface water and a diverse array of wildlife. It is part of the watershed area for the Los Angeles River, and includes the headwaters of Devil, Ybarra, and Browns Canyons.
The acquisition of 1,733-acre Joughin Ranch in August 2003 by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy created the core of the new Antonovich Park.
In September 2007, Supervisor Antonovich joined representatives from the City of Santa Clarita, Mountain and Recreation Conservation Authority, Allied Waste, and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation to dedicate 400-acres of land in Elsmere Canyon to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority as open space for recreational use.
Supervisor Antonovich is working to expand our County’s trail system for equestrians, hikers, and cyclists.
As part of the 2006 competitive trails grant program for the Fifth Supervisorial District, Supervisor Antonovich awarded $150,000 to the City of Santa Clarita for the acquisition, development and improvement of trails and public access. The proposed project includes a link from Sand Canyon to the 14.5 mile long Santa Clara River Trail.
"We’re pleased to work with the City of Santa Clarita by providing funding to expand and improve vital trails and parks projects," said Supervisor Antonovich.
Supervisor Antonovich’s Trails Grant program has provided Proposition A funding to 12 cities and several county projects to create, improve and expand park and recreational facilities such as bike paths, trails, and public access points.
In December 2006, Supervisor Antonovich joined Save Chatsworth Inc., the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy, local community groups, volunteers, and elected officials to dedicate the Chatsworth Trails Park for equestrians and hikers.
The 13-acre park space formerly known as “Horner Park” was purchased by Presidio Chatsworth LLC to prevent another developer from buying and building houses at the site. By agreement, the Santa Monica Mountain Recreation and Conservation Authority took over Presidio’s position in escrow for the purchase. Supervisor Antonovich’s Trail Grant program provided $835,000 from proposition “A” grant funds to cover the cost of the critical land purchase.
Numerous volunteers from almost every organization in Chatsworth and local schools rolled up their sleeves and participated in clean up days, repairing portions of the adjourning trail, and planted new trees and native plants.
“Today’s dedication is the result of a successful public/private partnership,” said Antonovich. “The new Chatsworth Trails Park will provide a vital link to the wildlife corridor, and serve as a gateway to Browns and Devils Canyons for equestrians and hikers.”
On January 9, 2007, through a team effort made possible by the dedication and enthusiasm of the many volunteers associated with the Santa Clarita Valley Trails Advisory Committee and staff of the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Regional Planning, the Board of Supervisors voted to increase the number of miles of trails proposed for the County’s trail’s master plan. The new master plan included 191 miles of new trails in the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley’s.
The plan will also assist the County in preserving the historical equestrian lifestyle in this part of the county and encourage the creation of additional open space.
Since 1994, Supervisor Antonovich has hosted his bi-annual ‘Trail Dusters” trail ride at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park and at Castaic Lake to advocate the preservation of the equestrian lifestyle and the need to protect the County’s trails.
In November 2006, Supervisor Antonovich helped dedicate the new Loma Alta Gymnasium in Altadena along with representatives from the Chief Administrative Office, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Department of Public Works.
“The Loma Alta Gym is the culmination of many years of planning and hard work by the community and County departments, “said Antonovich. The project faced many obstacles during its undertaking, but neither residents nor County officials deterred from reaching their goal – a new gymnasium for the community.”
“This gym will serve as a gathering place for the community and will offer much needed recreational opportunities for young people,” added Antonovich.
In addition to the 13,500 square foot gymnasium, Antonovich allocated $2.5 million to refurbish and preserve the 50-year-old community center building. The center will now feature a kitchen, recreation office, computer room, restrooms, and exercise rooms.
The project also included a dramatic renovation and enhancement of the equestrian facilities at Loma Alta Park and a redesign and expansion of the trail system at and around the park.
The Sunset Ridge Trail was relocated and improved for equestrian’s safety when accessing Chaney Trail. The County also worked with the local equestrian, hiking, and conservancy groups to extend trails east and west across Altadena and re-establish the trails serving the park.
Since 2006, Supervisor Antonovich has helped secure over $20 million for park improvement projects in the Fifth District which include:
- Acton Park Development
- Apollo Park Play Area
- Arrestre Canyon Trail Staging Area
- Arcadia Park Swimming Pool and Play Area refurbishment
- Bonelli Park Lighting, Boat Launching Facility, Urban Reforestation
- Castaic Lake Slope Stabilization/Swim Beach Stabilization
- Castaic Lake General Improvements and Play Area
- Charter Oak Park Play Area
- Charles White Park new playground equipment
- David March Park Development
- Descanso Gardens Slope
- Everett Martin Park Play Area
- George Lane/Joe Walker Gym
- Hart Park Water Tank, Lookout, Animal Pen, Building Refurbishment
- Jackie Robinson Park Play Area
- Arboretum general Improvements
- Loma Alta Trail Improvements
- Loma Alta Gym, Play Area, Pool and Community Room refurbishment
- Marshall Canyon Pool, Water & Sewer, Restroom
- North County Trails Development
- Pacific Crest Play Equipment
- Pamela Park Play Area & Shade Structures
- Pearblossom Natural Area and Play Area
- Pickens Canyon Park Improvement
- Placerita Canyon Nature Center Improvements
- San Dimas Park Play Area
- Stephen Sorensen Park Play Area; ball field, basketball field, etc.
- Val Verde Acquisition Building & Drainage
In February 2003, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Antonovich’s motion to ensure that an equestrian lifestyle is preserved and expanded in the San Fernando, San Gabriel, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys.
“As new development applications are processed, it is vital that we consider the impacts to equestrians and the County’s trail system,” said Supervisor Antonovich.
The motion directed the Department of Regional Planning, in conjunction with the Department of Parks and Recreation, to work with all City planning departments to preserve the equestrian lifestyle.
Supervisor Antonovich spearheaded the County’s Oak Tree Preservation Ordinance in 1982, which balances the need to protect existing environmental assets with vital infrastructure needs of communities.
The ordinance recognizes oak trees as significant historical, aesthetic, and ecological resources. The goal of the ordinance is to create favorable conditions for the preservation and propagation of this unique and threatened plant heritage. By making this part of the development process, healthy oak trees will be preserved and maintained. The ordinance applies to all unincorporated areas of the County.
Under the ordinance, a person shall not cut, destroy, remove, relocate, inflict damage, or encroach into the protected zone of any tree of the oak tree genus, which is 8" or more in diameter four and one-half feet above mean natural grade or in the case of oaks with multiple trunks combined diameter of twelve inches or more of the two largest trunks, without first obtaining a permit.
All oak species are covered by the oak tree ordinance.