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LA County website detailing parks, Fossil Ridge Park, redirects you to the State Santa Monica Conservancy site. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy – Welcome to California
The Public Park In LA That You Can’t Go To | by Sage James Moloney | Medium
- Size: 110 acres
- Location: Sherman Oaks .......inside a celebrity gated community
- History: Kenneth Kai Chang, developer/builder of the Mulholland Estates community donated the land in order to gain approval for the project. He developed it with Alfred E. Mann and Robert A. Sandler as the "primary investors".
Note: Alfred E. Mann was able to purchase, early, large amounts of land in areas which would then later be designated a part "Rim of the Valley", a directive of Congressman Schiff & Sherman. These large amounts of acreage would receive a new valuation, for tax deduction purposes. The addition has proved to be too much too soon for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and State to maintain.
Two National Parks to get bigger under new proposal - Newsweek
Lawmakers revive effort to expand Santa Monica Mountains recreation area - Los Angeles Times - Contingent for that approval was the construction of educational center and fossil displays
(Paleontological features include— fossils of marine animals embedded in Middle to Late Miocene rock formations). - MULHOLLAND ESTATES details are not easily visible on the CA CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act website)
- Public Easements over Westpark Road (public access to the Fossil Ridge Park) were established as part of the 1988 Mulholland Estates Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs). But the HOA directed gate guards to not let people have access.
- 2002 - Oak Forest Canyon Natural Area In Sherman Oaks
"Oak Forest Canyon Natural Area is a small but significant oak woodland with a perennial
stream adjacent to the Conservancy’s 110-acre Fossil Ridge Park. Fossil Ridge Park is one
of the most prolific paleontological sites in the Santa Monica Mountains. Miocene era
fossil beds are rich with fossilized porpoises, whales, sharks, and lantern fish. The new
acquisition will provide easy access and a trail into the park, which had previously only been
reachable through a guard-gated community." - 2011 - The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy July 25, 2011, closed session of the monthly meeting discuss the lack of public access and entry to Fossill Ridge and the requirement for the Mulholland Estates to allow public access and entry.
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy v. Mulholland Estates Homeowner’s Association, Bartlein & Company, Inc., et al.
The Conservancy may refer the following matter to the Department of Justice for potential initiation of litigation: Action to enforce public access rights to Fossil Ridge Park as recorded in the “Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions for Mulholland Estates” recorded on August 29, 1988 as Instrument No. 88-1372488 in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder.
More News from Calabasas
- Wildlife Conservation Board Approves $80.4 Million for Projects WCB Approves $80.4 Million for Wildlife Connectivity, Salmon Recovery, Biodiversity and Public Access Projects; to Protect Biodiversity Hotspots and Expand Access to Nature
- Enter to Win Box Seats "Amadeus in Concert" at Hollywood Bowl The Hollywood Bowl is partnering with Starz TV to give two pairs of box seats to the September 3rd concert of Amadeus in Concert! Enter via Instagram before June 11th.
