Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
National Park Service Eyes New Visitor Center in Calabasas
The driveway leading into King Gillette Ranch (more photos here) | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist
The driveway leading into King Gillette Ranch (more photos here) | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist
In 2007, a collaboration of parks agencies--local to federal--purchased King Gillette Ranch (if you're thinking shaving razors, you're on the right track) with plans to open an interagency visitor center for for the Santa Monica Mountains.
Currently, the National Park Service, which manages the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, has a visitor center and headquarters in Thousand Oaks, far off the beaten path for many in the immediate Los Angeles region. King Gillette Ranch sits in the heart of the mountain rage, off Las Virgenes Road between Calabasas and Malibu, which is much closer to trails and nature than the suburban mall and sprawl setting of Thousand Oaks. Additionally, there is no public hub for the California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority.
As agencies prepare plans for the visitor center, two public meetings will be hosted next week to gather input. Both meetings, scheduled for next Thursday and Saturday, are at the Ranch:
Workshop # 1: Thursday, September 24, 2009
5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
King Gillette Ranch
26800 Mulholland Highway
Calabasas, CA 91302
(light refreshments provided)
Workshop # 2: Saturday, September 26, 2009
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
King Gillette Ranch
26800 Mulholland Highway
Calabasas, CA 91302
(light refreshments provided)
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
