Citizens chip in to buy Cold Creek parcel

By John Loesing Acorn Staff Writer

Some local residents cherish their open space so much that they’re willing to pay for it themselves.

Recently, a group of 22 residents from Calabasas and Malibu donated $50,000 to make the down payment on a parcel of land in the Cold Creek Preserve.

The Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT), the largest landholder in the preserve with more than 1,000 acres, wanted to buy the three-acre parcel to protect the creek and the winding trail that runs alongside.

The property, which is mostly meadow with a large oak tree and a large sycamore tree, formerly belonged to the Yu family of Los Angeles.

MRT obtained state grant money to buy the $125,000 parcel, but the agency learned the funds wouldn’t be available for six months. Because the seller wanted to close on the deal before the end of the calendar year, Stephen Harris, MRT director, asked local residents to make the initial payment.

Resident Mary Ellen Strote of Cold Creek started the ball rolling by contributing $1,000.

Harris contacted another resident, retired Los Angeles Fire Capt. Don Wallace, to see if he could help also.

Not only did Wallace donate, but he e-mailed more than 100 other people asking for their contributions.

In less than 48 hours, the e-mail campaign netted $50,000 from the almost two-dozen benefactors. The money is considered an interest-free loan and will be repaid to the lenders once the grant money is secured.

"Not only did my contacts come through with generous contributions, but some forwarded the urgent appeal to their friends and associates," Wallace said. "These were good friends with views similar to my own regarding open space."

Harris said it’s important that citizens become involved with open space acquisition, especially during tight budgetary times. Private donations can sometimes make the acquisitions possible.

"Having the community work together to preserve our resources gives them a greater sense of ownership," Harris said. "The more people are involved in the acquisition process, they better understand the value of preserving property."

With more than 5,000 total acres, Cold Creek is second only to Malibu Creek as the largest watershed in the Santa Monica Mountains. The preserve comprises 1,500 acres, including the three acres recently purchased near Cold Canyon Road and Mulholland Highway.

MRT still wants to obtain another 150 acres to complete the protection of the watershed.

"The goal is to preserve as much habitat and watershed to keep the water quality of Cold Creek as pristine as possible," said Garrie Mar, MRT spokesperson.

With its year-round source of water and abundant foliage, the preserve serves as a habitat for deer, coyotes, snakes and rodents. Even mountain lions live in the area, surviving on the plump deer.

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation will hold the title to the new Cold Creek parcel, but MRT will take control of the land management, Harris said.

The 17-mile Calabasas/Cold Creek trail is part of a planned 200-mile trail system that will link Cold Creek, Secret Valley, and the larger state and national parks to the surrounding urban areas.

MRT acquired the 40-acre Secret Valley last summer. In 2001, the agency purchased 120 acres in nearby Zuniga Canyon.

Besides the 2,000 acres of Southern California property it already owns, half of which lies in Cold Creek, MRT has more than 800 new acres under contract negotiation or in escrow.