Editor’s note: The following is a brief explanation of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s plan to enhance several Malibu parks. A more in-depth story will be published next week.
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy on Monday submitted its local coastal amendment application to the city to create a parks enhancement plan that includes creating new trails and various campgrounds in several Malibu park areas. Also, a parking garage is proposed for Escondido Canyon Park.
Much of the application is similar to what the SMMC proposed last year. The difference is there is overnight camping planned for the city-owned Charmlee Wilderness Park, and the Malibu City Council has the opportunity to review and vote on the project. The previous plan called for overnight camping at Escondido Canyon, and it only needed approval from the SMMC board and the California Coastal Commission.
The Ramirez Canyon portion of the proposal calls for two day-use picnic areas designed to provide park amenities to accommodate disabled visitors and their families by reservation, and four new overnight campsites, including one accessible for physically disabled visitors.
According to the proposal, during the day and evening there would be 16 special events per year, one special event per week, 12 tours and/or small gatherings per month (60-person maximum per tour) and outreach programs for up to 40 participants.
The Charmlee Park proposal calls for eight overnight campsites in various portions of the park, including one for the physically disabled. Also, six additional parking spaces have been proposed to be built where there currently exists an existing bus parking/turnaround area.
Proposed for Escondido Canyon Park is a new parking facility able to accommodate 18 vehicles and two trailer pull-ins to support public access opportunities for hikers and equestrians, as well as two self-contained restroom facilities. The former plan called for 30 parking spaces.
The Corral Canyon Park plan calls for 17 overnight camping sites in various portions of the park, with three for physically disable people.
Additionally, the proposal includes plans for a trail system that connects several national-, state- and Malibu-owned parks.
The SMMC and its sister organization, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, or the MRCA, plan to enhance its Malibu parkland has been controversial. Last fall, the SMMC’s plan angered city officials and local residents who were upset that it avoided city review. Just as it appeared litigation would occur, the SMMC and city officials made a deal in January of this year that the conservancy would apply for an LCP amendment from the city.
However, the controversy will not likely be going away soon. Ramirez Canyon property owners have repeatedly stated they are opposed to overnight camping in Ramirez Canyon because of the risks of fires and the fear that emergency vehicles would have a difficult time getting there to control fires. Also, some Malibu residents claim overnight camping is not allowed at Charmlee Park.