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Funds for Santa Monica Mountains center
Federal stimulus package helps pay for park service projects, including Gillette Ranch
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will receive $10.54 million for visitor facility improvements as part of the federal stimulus funding announced last week by Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar. The funds will allow construction of the long delayed park service visitor center at King Gillette Ranch at the former Soka University Campus near Calabasas. The center, which is expected to cost $8.4 million, will offer educational and recreational resources and establish a home for federal, state and local park agencies whose task is to preserve the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Access to hiking trails will also be available. Stimulus funds will also help rehabilitate sections of the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains using labor provided by youth conservation corps personnel. "This is one of the largest allocations to a single national park and represents a high level of confidence in our ability to immediately put the money to work for the people," said Woody Smeck, park superintendent. "It is also the largest single year investment in capital projects since the national recreation area was established in 1978. Deferred maintenance on park buildings and utility systems will be completed as well, Smeck said. |
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