Help Us Save Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Drive

With an option agreement set to expire, the fate of six acres at the famous Hollywood Hills intersection of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive hangs in the balance. What is now a refuge for mule deer, hawks, bobcats and other wildlife, can quickly turn into a housing development, if $145,000 is not raised by August 17th. If we are successful, we will keep the northern gateway to rock and roll history-rich Laurel Canyon on a trajectory to be permanent public open space. If we fail, all points eastward in the Santa Monica Mountains will begin an irreversible decline in wildlife diversity -- not to mention, the 20 million plus motorists who cross the intersection annually will see their commute interrupted by long traffic delays and construction.

Since December 2007, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority has pooled $515,000 of public and private funding to keep the Laurel Canyon property under option. The MRCA's contract provides a phased plan to pay off the remainder of the $4 million over two years. Given the wealthy neighborhoods affected by this intersection, one would think raising this money would be relatively easy. Indeed, anyone who has ever tried to make it over the canyon in rush hour sees the importance of our effort. But as the economy has stalled, so has our efforts. That is why we're calling on the LA community, wildlife activists, environmentalists and even rock and roll fans to join us in our movement to protect the neighborhood that has given us extraordinary music from The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and so many others.

As part of a contiguous 500-acre block of urban wilderness, this property is essential for wildlife to cross Laurel Canyon Boulevard to reach Nichols and Runyon Canyons and eventually the 5,000-acre Griffith Park. Scenic Mulholland Drive and the wildlife populations east of Laurel Canyon will never be the same if this land is further developed.

Please urge the community at large to spread the importance of this land acquisition effort and encourage those able to make donations to do so, in order to keep this campaign alive. As incentive, the largest donor will receive permanent park naming and signage rights (make that, tasteful signage rights) for this highly-trafficked area. All donations are fully tax-deductible.

The coming weeks will dictate whether the greater Los Angeles community will forever regret not raising the money necessary to keep the heart of the mountain range breathing, or if it will, as the most popular signs in canyon read, allow it to live in "peace."

For more information, please visit the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

Comments

[Lendall]

Thank you for this article. This really needs to be done.

[Gilbert Smith]

My passion has always been with planning cities. Great destinations worth visiting more than once are found in places our planet that have plans. Either by the design of man or from nature. The proposed Laurel-Mulholland Park will have both elements in play when it is completed. I remember when the land was first terraced more than 50 years ago. My family lived in the newly built Laurelwood, just North of this parcel of land. The hard cuts made by the heavy machinery have now softened to create gentle slope with flat meadows. The Proposed Laurel Canyon/Mullholland Park is next to one of our major cross town canyon routes and the historical ridge route defining our Los Angeles. Its geographic position makes the case for it to be a prime candidate for a specialized activities. Simply, we need to foster a plan to maintain and manage its long standing memory in our community history. A space that people can visit to relax, share music, make art or just burn calories with a relaxing walk. This is a great cause with many very sincere people working together to improve our community.

[Clark Benson]

Let's save this spot, Laurel Canyon is a special place - for now

[kathiart]

This piece of land is one of the most soulful gateways between civilization and nature that we have in Los Angeles. Hikers and drivers love to behold the beauty -- it is a natural transition to Franklin Canyon Park to the west. The Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy has been protecting and maintaining our lands for decades, buying and maintaining properties, clearing brush, and protecting animals in our city. This is the first time that they have asked us for anything, and I know it is our moral duty to respond. I agree with Mlaiuppa...a group of residents from that neighborhood need to start a doorknocking and mailing campaign immediately. If development started there, we would all be upset bigtime everytime we drove by, and we would so regret our lack of action. Let's do this thing!

[JScott]

I didn't think there was any block of land around that area that was left like that or that was tempting to developers. Kinda think tho with the recession and all, there wouldn't be much of a market for homes, like yeah the builder could build the homes but would there be any buyers. Seems like in the recession it would be easier for the option to remain open and/or the price reduced. But go for it, seems like this is what most enviro open space org's should be doing, I'll be the prices are right, builders aren't anxious to buy, they have a lotta unsold inventory they have to sell first.

[acedog]

Not only is this a critical wildlife corridor but it is a piece of land that has survived development for decades until now. The extinction of this last open outpost bordering one of the most traveled famous routes would be heartbreaking. It has been a symbol of our attempt to keep peace with nature in a community that cherishes its unique hillside environment. We must donate and ask others to do the same. Once lost this wildlife route, rugged hillside and special view cannot be replaced.

[mlaiuppa]

I find it hard to believe a door to door campaign couldn't raise this if the right neighborhoods were targeted, economy or not. And get the ear of the right person, a quick fund raiser could be organized and you're beyond your goal. Even a mailing campaign. It's easy to get the addresses for a geographic neighborhood. Flyers and stamps not a huge investment.

[JScott]

I agree. This post is just another avenue to get the word out.