One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Will Rogers and Topanga state parks burned. Now you can help shape their future
Will Rogers' ranch house was inside a state park, until it burned down last year.
(
Genaro Molina
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
Topline:
The Palisades Fire burned down historic buildings in Will Rogers and Topanga state parks. California State Parks wants to know what you think about how they should rebuild.
Why now? Now that both parks are partially reopened, the agency that oversees them, California State Parks, says it's ready for the next phase of recovery. Agency authorities say they're looking to solve big questions, such as how to honor Will Rogers’ legacy and address park needs today. The feedback is expected to help create guiding priorities.
The backstory: The Palisades Fire burned more than 8,000 acres between both parks. That included sites beloved by Angelenos, such as Will Rogers’ 31-room ranch house and William Randolph Hearst’s Topanga Ranch Motel.
How you can get involved: California State Parks is asking for the public to share memories and photos of the parks before the fire, which authorities say will help ground planning in the experiences of people who know the parks best. There's also a box where you can send in what's on your mind about recovery planning.
What's next: The agency will do virtual and in-person events, surveys and more to gather community feedback. That is expected to happen in the fall, according to park spokesperson Jorge Moreno. You can stay in the loop through the agency’s project page and by signing up for its email list.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
