Before: A hiking trail needs clearing.
After: a cleared trail.
(Editor’s note: Joseph T. Edmiston the Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy responded to CTN’s August 20 story (“Pacific Palisades Sleeps”). “I wish you would have contacted us to get the facts.” CTN had reached out to SMMC’s media spokesperson Dash Stolarz. Edmiston wrote “Ms. Stolarz is on a well-deserved vacation.” Edmiston wrote a thoughtful and informative update with the trails surrounding the Palisades.)
By JOE EDMISTON
Since the devastating Palisades Fire, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) have been steadily working to restore, rehabilitate and rebuild one of the last historically significant landmarks of the Palisades.
The monumental efforts by the MRCA’s Fire Division to fight the unprecedented fire and save Temescal Gateway Park from total destruction, gave the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) the space needed to stage critical efforts to support the removal of hundreds of thousands of tons of debris.
During city-wide recovery efforts, the park served as a central command post with multiple subcontractors from the ACE working around the clock to process debris from the thousands of burned homes and vehicles. The significant work that began in early February was completed less than one week ago.
Due to the potential hazards, Temescal Gateway Park was closed to the public, and currently remains closed to the public. The ACE has requested one month to repair and restore damaged areas within the park.
During this almost eight-month timeframe, plans to restore the partially burned park have been a weekly mission and agency-wide priority. Beyond plans, the MRCA has been actively working with trails crews from Managed Career Solutions (MCS) and the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to re-establish the trail system within Temescal Gateway Park.
Please find the attached before and after photos, that show trails that have been cleared starting from the front of the park all the way towards the back of the park near the sieve dams.
Beyond the internal trails on the 140 acres of Temescal Gateway Park, it is important to remember that it is just that, a gateway to the much larger Topanga and Will Rogers State Parks. We are working closely with State Parks to coordinate trail work, the majority of which is on State Parks property.
Currently, the Rivas trail is being restored by MCS starting at Temescal heading toward Will Rogers State Historic Park.They have completed approximately one quarter mile of trail. The CCC trail specialists have been consulted and have a spike crew with plans to work on the trail to Rivas Canyon Trailhead as well. Both MCS and CCC are funded by grant sources and are either waiting for funds from these grants to be released or already applying for these funds.
The infastructure is being repaired.
In addition to rehabilitating trails, the MRCA has been diligently working to restore basic park visitor amenities which includes infrastructure to re-establish water and electricity. Water for drinking fountains, public restrooms and fire suppression is important for our hikers. We have also made repairs to preserve the multiple damaged cabins that date back to the 1920s Chautauqua movement.
SMMC and MRCA are working collaboratively with California State Parks and the Sierra Club to rebuild the beloved trail system that our park visitors enjoy. Despite the challenging hurdles and nature related setbacks, the MRCA remains committed to prioritizing safety, removing hazards and envisioning an improved Temescal Gateway Park when we welcome park visitors back.
Before: Trail needs clearing.
After: This hiking trail is now in great condition.
Were the stop sign cameras destroyed? If so, when will they be replaced?
I would like to visit before then and California roll through the stop signs. It may be our last chance for a long time.
Thank you Joe !
Your true “steadfast” work to preserve the integrity of our beautiful mountains is deeply appreciated.
Thank you, Sue, for publishing the original article on the trails that finally elicited a response from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It’s curious that Joe Edmiston “wishes you had gotten the facts” before reporting my experience, yet the public affairs director he mentioned never bothered to respond to my email, even when she wasn’t on vacation, so I’m not sure how we’re supposed to “get the facts.” I am glad to see that work has started and there is sufficient funding!