Newsletter
Winter 2005
Access for All to Historic Millard Canyon
 The City Project and others are leading the struggle to keep historic Millard
Canyon and Altadena Crest trails open for all by stopping property
owners in a gated community who are trying to close off public
trails.
Millard Canyon begins at Mt. Lowe in the Angeles National Forest
and ends at the Arroyo Seco in Altadena, with a stream and trails
running down the Canyon to the Arroyo Seco and the Los Angeles
River.
In the 1820s, Millard Canyon was known as Church Cayon. Joseph
Chapman used Native American labor to harvest and mill timber from
the upper canyon to build La Placita Catholic Church at the Plaza
in the original Pueblo de Los Angeles, the birthplace of the city.
La Placita (also known as Our Lady of Angels Church) was the first
church built in Los Angeles and is now part of El Pueblo Historic
Monument.
When Los Angeles County approved La Viña housing development
in Altadena in the 1990s, the local community had substantial concerns
that this exclusive gated community would threaten the public's
right to use Millard Canyon for hiking and horse back riding. The
County required, and the developers promised, to protect public
access to historic Millard Canyon.
County Supervisor Mike Antonovich told the Los Angeles Times, "In
approving the La Vina projects, I made a commitment -- with unanimous
board support -- to the Altadena community that trails would be
provided. . .this was mandated in the specific plan, the tract
map and conditional-use permit."
La Vina Homeowners Association has posted "No Trespassing" signs
and has harassed hikers and equestrians to keep them out of Millard
Canyon. According to the Los Angeles Times, "The
appearance of those signs was the final straw for people who felt
their rights to Millard Canyon's natural riches -- trails, vistas,
forests, and wildlife -- were secured under the agreement."
The City Project and the law firm of Reed Smith are preparing to sue
the La Vina Homeowners Association and the County.
Los Angeles County is also planning to file a lawsuit against
the homeowners. It is necessary to preserve access for all to the
rich historic, cultural, and recreational benefits of historic
Millard Canyon. The effort to preserve access to historic Millard
Canyon has been covered by the Los Angeles Times and the
Los Angeles Daily Journal.
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