Development jibes with equestrian heritage

Malibu Valley Farms is for equestrians and equestrians are an important aspect of the heritage of the Calabasas-Las Virgenes Valley. The colonistas that came through with Anza in 1776 literally lived on their horses.

On any given Saturday, the Talapop Trail which passes the Sepulveda Adobe, located in Malibu Creek State Park on Mulholland Highway and the Las Virgenes-Malibu Canyon State Scenic Highway, is used by at least dozen or so equestrians.

Malibu Valley Farms would be wonderful accommodations for those wishing to experience the historic features of Talopop, the Sepulveda Adobe and the White Oak Farm Section of Malibu Creek State Park north of Mulholland Highway.

On Sat., 25 June during the dedication of the Elaine Weissman Memorial Stage at the California Traditional Music Society Festival at Soka University, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky promised the audience that their Summer Solstice Folk Music, Dance and Storytelling Festival would be able to continue in this location far into the future. The creation of Malibu Valley Farms would provide accommodations directly across Mulholland Highway from the festival site, which would encourage more people to enjoy the wonderful music and the lovely surroundings.

As a judge for the Constitutional Rights Foundation, which annually produces History Day L.A., History Day California and National History Day, I am disappointed at the lack of student research on the exciting history of this area. Many pre teens and teens are fascinated with equestrians and Malibu Valley Farms could help capture their imaginations on the heritage and history of this area. Robin Gensley Mitchell Calabasas