The Native Legacy
Editor’s note: The following letters are in response to Publisher Arnold G. York’s editorial published Oct. 6, titled, “What Happened to Darwin?” which touched on the issue of the practice of replacing nonnative plants with native species, which has been done at Legacy Park.
Hits nail on head
Howdy, Arnold. I agree with your editorial on Legacy Park. From the outset, it looked like it was going to be a glorified weed field. It turned out to be a glorified weed field. No bathrooms. No place for kids to play. No shade. No design element that encourages a gathering of people. It is a failure as a public park. It is unsightly (forgive me, emperor, for noticing that you are buck-naked), and precious few Malibu citizens use it.
And speaking of Darwin, why don’t we let the strong businesses survive in Malibu, and the weak ones perish, rather than trying to legislate and regulate which businesses meet with the approval of a few locals who yearn for a yesteryear that will never return? When did “big” become synonymous with “bad” in business? Does anyone ever start a business hoping to stay small and unsuccessful? When did “success” become an indicator of evil in our town? Taken to its logical end point, the current proposals to ban or restrict national businesses would result in a local business having to close its doors if it achieves success on a national level. Is that not the height of absurdity? Successful businesses, whether locally or “nationally” owned, succeed because people patronize them, and because they are intelligently managed. Attempting to legislate or regulate patronage, or intelligent management, is a fatally flawed pursuit, so let’s let the market (Darwin) make the call.
By Larry Abbott
Park is values
To begin, I think Legacy Park is brilliant. It’s a valuable addition to, maybe even the gem of, Malibu’s park system. I walk there often, and on every visit, I chat with folks who find it unique and inspiring. I have lived in California most of my life, since the early sixties, and seen the state up close. The value of a park doesn’t lie exclusively in its ability to entertain hordes of urban families; even the vaunted Olmstead allowed for a wide range of uses in Manhattan’s Central Park. And open space is one of those uses. By virtue of the fact that you live in Malibu, Arnold, I’d wager your soul, like mine, longs for open space now and then. Considering what that lot was before Legacy Park and what it might have been had developers gotten their hands on it, I’d say we’re pretty darn lucky to have paths and bridges, running water and wetlands, and wildlife other than pigeons and rats.
As for protecting native species, you make a good point. The natural environment is constantly changing, so why do we try to interfere with the process by eliminating non-native species? It’s only a matter of survival. Simply put, non-native species of plants and animals have the potential to wipe out entire crops and ecosystems.
I suspect your dismissal of imminent water shortages is disingenuous. You may be able to water the lawn, fill the pool, and wash the car with impunity now, but in 40 years, when California’s population has doubled, do you think water won’t be an issue? Native plant species require less water; some require none at all.
Finally, I think you miss the value of Legacy Park as an instructional asset. Many Californians have no idea what a vernal pool is or what kinds of creatures inhabit an arid riparian ecosystem, nor could they care. Besides, Legacy Park boasts one of the very few bicycle racks in all of Malibu.
I agree with you that there isn’t enough shade, but that’s the case with almost all of California. In the meantime, if you need a high concentration of park users, go up to the Malibu Bluffs where the hill was leveled and domesticated with non-native grass. Surely there are better things to do than second-guess the work that went into Legacy Park. Like grab the leash and take Ella for a walk.
By Paul Yeuell
Once was enough
My husband and I walked through Legacy Park when it first opened and, even though we live nearby, we have never thought of walking through it again. You are so right. It is truly uninviting. Every time I park at SuperCare, I am struck by how “scrubby” it looks. Thanks for your editorial.
By Cindy Troop
Irony at work
Legacy Park filled with weeds is what we get when extremists get their agenda in place. Compare Legacy with the people friendly park in the country mart. I don’t want to fault the City staff and Council, who diligently followed the rules, but what you see in Legacy Park is a small microcosm of what’s gone wrong with our state.
We faced the same issue in our efforts to rebuild Rambla Pacifico (scheduled opening 22 October). At our Environmental Review Board hearing, the biologist insisted on plants that the Fire Department member of this same board said would insure that people fleeing a major brush fire would be driving through a wall of flames. And homeowners are prevented from cutting native bushes that are huge fire hazards in the name of preserving native vegetation.
And we were forced to clear brush by hand to search for rats’ nests, with 25 laborers risking their lives for two weeks. (Think native rattlesnakes). Several were taken to hospital from multiple bee stings. These are the same rats that one would trap at your house. A bulldozer could have done this in two days and saved tens of thousands of dollars.
Consider the consequences of having a biologist write reports and monitor building projects, not to mention the archeologist and Native American at $80 an hour. It drives the cost of everything in our state to a level that businesses leave and the only ones who can afford to build in Malibu are the ultra wealthy.
By Scott Dittrich
Not worth a visit
Hi, Arnold. We are your neighbors. We couldn’t agree more that there is nothing inviting about Legacy Park. It’s dull and monochromatic. Several of our children have visited the park with their kids and dogs and see no reason to do it again. We are initial contributors to Legacy Park and envisioned a family friendly park with shade trees and botanical gardens and ponds and play areas. I’ll volunteer for a committee to start the process if you find there is enough support.
By Chris and Pat Reed
Weed Patch Park
Arnold, Another one of your great editorials. I’ve renamed Legacy Park “Weed Patch Park.” As you so aptly put it, it looks like a bunch of overgrown weeds.
By Ken Cleveland