Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Open Space Fundraising Drive

Mail tax deductible checks to:
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority or MRCA
Attention: Paul Edelman
5810 Ramirez Canyon Road
Malibu, CA 90265

2010 Update

On Thursday, November 19, the MRCA signed an option amendment that extends the MRCA’s control of the six parcels at Mulholland Drive and Laurel Canyon Boulevard until February 15, 2010. As part of the terms of the agreement, the MRCA must deposit $750,000 in escrow by the February 15 deadline.  If the MRCA is successful in depositing the $750,000 in escrow, the MRCA will receive one of the 6 lots in deed title and will further extend the option period on the remaining parcels until July 18, 2010.  The MRCA is working with the 5th District Council office and city attorney on a possible sale of city surplus land that would yield the $750,000 necessary to further the acquisition of this important property.  As soon as there is more information about this potential transaction between the City of Los Angeles and the MRCA it will be posted on this website.  The MRCA governing board, staff, and all the people involved in this project appreciate your interest and support.

Help Preserve this Beautiful, Visible Open Space!

The immediate help of you and all of your most financially able contacts is crucial to maintain control of the property.  Please help get all community members to assist in this effort. If an additional option period is not secured by this round of fundraising, every penny of new money will be promptly returned to every donor.  All contributions to the MRCA are tax deductible and apply towards the purchase price.  Contributions of any amount are welcomed. The only thing to lose is this wild land.

Donation instructions to the MRCA by check or credit card are shown below.
Once paid for in full, the subject six acres, comprised of six legal lots, will be permanent public open space managed by the MRCA. The site can be linked by a trail to Laurel Canyon Community Park via the Mulholland Drive right-of-way. The aerial photographs (see links above) show the proposed trail alignment, the site’s relationship to surrounding public lands, and the property's importance as part of a wildlife corridor across Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The property contains a small year-round spring, and the whole ownership can be restored to beautiful oak woodland over time.

Naming rights for the property are also available. Locations for potential permanent park naming signs are shown on the above links.

Checks should be made out to MRCA with a note: for Laurel Canyon and Mulholland. Any amount will be accepted. Funds received that are not expended on an option payment will be returned in full. A letter confirming the receipt of any funds will be sent via  U.S. mail to every donor within three days of receiving the donation.

Questions? Contact:
Paul Edelman
MRCA Chief of Natural Resources and Planning
310-589-3200 ext. 128 or edelman@smmc.ca.gov
–or–
Diane Sacks
Staff Services Assistant
310-589-3200 ext. 122 or diane.sacks@mrca.ca.gov

The Committee to Save Laurel Canyon and Mulholland can be reached at: savelaurelcanyonandmulholland@gmail.com

$250,000 has been contributed by the Santa Monica Mountains Open Space Preservation Assessment District No. 1. For more info go to www.preserveopenspace.org.