Date: B (lj)'1... Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee Submitted in ~p hfl Committee Tuesday, August 7, 2012 Council File No: 1,~?- (1-0?, 0 l ll'(;mno.:a... 12-0307: Department of Recreation and Parks (IB~t.jP regl~~~rjrrf)olido r\.llotion (Alarcon Englander - Krekorian - Zine) relative to: 1} providing an overview of all of the City-owned equine areas and the work that has been done to maintain, improve, increase, and promote said areas; 2} reporting on the progress of the policies adopted in the 2001 General Plan Conservation Element and details in regard to the equine areas in the City; and 3} reporting with recommendations on how the City can better promote the City's horse trails and equine areas through online and off-line publicity and promotion. 1. Provide an overview of all of the City-owned equine areas and the work that has been done to maintain, improve, increase, and promote said areas. ~~ Regional Parks e Routine Maintenance o o Private Trails Horse Crossings 2. Report on the progress of the policies adopted in the 2001 General Plan Conservation Element and details in regard to the equine areas in the City.. Planning Department o o o o Implementation through Community Plan Updates Zoning Trails Policy Implementation SECTION 7: EQUINE AREAS One of the unique features of highly urbanized Los Angeles is its equine areas, which are located mostly on the fringes of the San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica Mountains, where there is access to mountain trail systems. Horsepower was the primary means of locomotion until the early part of the 20th century when automotive and rail transportation rapidly transformed Los Angeles from a rural to an urban economy. Ranches and farmlands disappeared. Equine routes were paved or abandoned. Equines for work uses gave way to equines for show, film, recreational, therapeutic and educational purposes. Throughout the century the number and size of equine keeping areas continued to shrink until they were threatened with extinction, largely due to encroachment from development, especially development of non-animal keeping residential projects. Zoning/K supplemental use district. To protect the equine uses and to encourage establishment of new uses, equines (horses, donkeys, mules) were specifically permitted by
right on lots zoned for agricultural uses and on certain large lot (17,500 square feet or more) residentipl uses. However, zoning and county health code regulations contributed to a continuing loss of equine uses. The laws were intended to protect non-equine residential uses from animal impacts, e.g., odor, dust, health and safety concerns. To reduce the impact of health code regulations on existing equine uses, the 'K' Equinekeeping District enabling provisions (LAMC Section 13.05) were enacted (1964). The intent of the K District supplemental use designation is to better protect existing equine areas and to encourage establishment of new equinekeeping areas. The provisions have been amended many times to strengthen equine protection and make it easier to establish K Districts. Less restrictive land use regulations apply to lots in K Districts than to those in non-k areas. A new district can be as small as five acres and may include several contiguous ownerships. For current K Districts see Exhibit B. Today equine uses have recogni~ed rights vis-a-vis residential uses and improved dust control and odor technology enables them to be more compatible with residential uses. Prior to the 1970s, health and?ther regulations required that equine uses be moved 75 feet from dwellings, even if they were established prior to the dwelling. If the equine use could not be moved, it was terminated. Forced termination threatened the viability of some K Districts and eliminated many other equine uses. In the 1970s zoning laws were changed to protect legally established equine uses from encroachment. Equine uses in K Districts may remain and the use may be modified if a dwelling is located between 75 and 35 feet of the equine use. In non-k Districts a legal equine was permitted to remain but became nonconforming. Nonconformity limits modification of the equine use. In 1986 discretionary permits were required for dwellings proposed for location closer than the health department's 35-foot limit to a legal equine use. A zoning administrator must consider the hardship to both the dwelling and the equine use properties; whether either can be relocated. If the zoning administrator permits the dwelling to be built closer than 35 feet to the equine use, the equine use must move or be terminated. Trails. There are over 90 miles of equine trails within the city. Riding trails, especially around the north rim of the San Fernando Valley and in and around the Santa Monica Mountains reinforces the existing equine uses and makes their expansion more viable. Careful planning and maintenance of equine trails is important for the protection of the watershed and natural environments. New subdivisions within a K District typically are required by decision makers to provide equestrian trails, as are subdivisions that are proposed adjacent to equinekeeping uses and the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor. However, this requirement is discretionary. Sometimes the development's homeowners' association is required to maintain the trails or volunteer groups arrange to maintain trails. Sometimes the Department of Recreation and Parks accepts responsibility for trail upkeep, provided the land developer pays an initial maintenance fee. Usually the fee is insufficient to pay for long term maintenance and repair of the trails, thereby placing a financial burden on the city.
"Guide to Existing and Potential Equestrian Trails" (adopted 1977, revised 1991) guides trail and equine area development and protection in the northwest San Fernando Valley. Equine trails will be more fully addressed by the Open Space Element of the general plan. In addition, some of the community plans identify equine areas and trails and contain equine policies. Equine oriented parks. Some city parks have equine oriented trail features, such as rest areas with hitching posts and watering troughs. Griffith Park has 54 miles of riding trails, a pony ring and an 80 acre Equestrian Center. The Center has been the site of important local, national and international events, including the 1984 Olympic Games and 1995 World Cup Dressage. It has a 4,300 seat covered arena, several uncovered arenas, training facilities, 520 boarding stalls and related facilities. Stetson Ranch Park in Sylmar is an equine oriented park with two equestrian rings. Hansen Dam in Lake View Terrace is crisscrossed by riding trails and has a 40 acre equestrian center with 17 arenas and several hundred boarding stalls. Orcus Park near Hansen Dam was converted to an equestrian park in 1999 and renamed Gabrielino Equestrian Park. It has staging areas and parking for recreational vehicles with overnight use by groups allowed by reservation. All of these city parks are linked by trails to the Angeles National Forest and Rim of the Valley Corridor trail systems. The Hansen Dam and Griffith Park equestrian centers are managed by private operators, through leases with the Department of Recreation and Parks. Equine population. The number of licensed equines has remained fairly stable during recent years. The annual license fee goes into the Equestrian Facilities Trust Fund for acquisition, construction and maintenance of equine trails and facilities on City properties. It is estimated that less than a third of all equines stabled in the city are licensed. In 1996-97 the Department of Animal Regulation issued 1,622 equine permits; 1,505 in 1997-98; and 1,695 in 1998-99. Most of the equines are boarded privately. Some are stabled in one of 52 private boarding stables, most of which are in the San Fernando Valley. In addition, equines stabled in the immediate environs utilize the city's equine trails and facilities. The largest concentration (approximately 1,500 equines) is locate<;~ north of Griffith Park in Burbank and Glendale. Conclusion. The city has a primary role in encouraging and enabling the retention and expansion of equine uses. Continuing issues: Loss of equine sites due to change in use and encroachment. Lack of city standards for equine trail dedication, development, maintenance, safety and protection of the environment. Lack of city funds to maintain existing trails that are within the city's responsibility. Funding to accelerate the implementation of the Rim of the Valley Corridor and other trail and facility systems before opportunities are lost to acquire land for connecting trails and systems. Safe interface of trails with city streets.
Equine areas objective, policies and programs: Objective: retain equine oriented uses as a part of the city's heritage and for recreational, educational and economic purposes. Policy 1: continue to encourage the establishment of new equine uses and K districts and to protect existing significant areas from encroachment. Program 1: designation of equine oriented policies, areas, trails and related information in community plans. Responsibility: departments of *Building and Safety and *City Planning. Program 2: as a part of community plan and/or other city plan preparation, identify equinekeeping areas that would be suitable for new K Districts and recommend that the City Council or planning commission initiate said districts. Responsibility: departments of Animal Regulation, *City Planning, and Recreation and Parks. Program 3: periodic review and revision of the equine provisions of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. Responsibility: departments of *Animal Regulation, *City Planning, and *Recreation and Parks. Policy 2: establish standards and procedures for a comprehensive equine trail system, similar to the bikeways system, including provisions for protection of watershed and natural environments. Program: with the assistance of a citizen-technical advisory committee, develop requirements, guidelines, standards and procedures for equine trail dedications and maintenance and prepare a trail system plan. Responsibility: departments of Animal Regulation, *City Planning, Public Works, *Recreation and Parks, and Transportation. Policy 3: continue to expand and maintain trail linkages which will reinforce the viability of equine uses. Program 1: street dedication, improvement and maintenance. Responsibility: departments of *City Planning, *Public Works, Recreation and Parks and *Transportation. Program 2: city park and cooperative trail development and linkage programs.
Responsibility: departments of City Planning, Environmental Affairs, and *Recreation and Parks. Policy 4: continue to increase funding for equine trails and facilities acquisition, construction, maintenance and equine related city activities. Program: exploration and development, with the assistance of private equine interests, of potential funding sources for equine related facilities and activities. Responsibility: departments of *Animal Regulation, Office of Administration and Resource Services, *Recreation and Parks, other agencies as appropriate. For related information about trails see: Community plans of the Los Angeles City General Plan, Los Angeles Department of City Planning (especially for communities in the north San Fernando Valley). "Guide to Existing and Potential Equestrian Trails," Los Angeles Department of City Planning, revised February 1991. "Major Equestrian and Hiking Trails Plan, an Element of the Master Plan of the City of Los Angeles," Department of City Planning and Department of Recreation and Parks, 1968. "Open Space Element," Los Angeles City General Plan (under preparation). 3. Reporting with recommendations on how the City can better promote the City's horse trails and equine areas through online and off-line publicity and promotion. Online o Consolidate existing maps onto one online portal o Place access to portal on City splash page o Include links to non-city resources ra County/State/SMMC trails ra Private Resources Stables Staging Areas Non-Profit Agencies For Profit Riding o Off-Line o Mapping
By Council District By Area of the City 11 City-Wide o Map Distribution 11 LA Inc. I Visitor Center 11 Council Offices 11 Park Kiosks
RECREATION AND PARKS VALLEY REGION EQUESTRIAN CENTERS Hansen Dam Maintenance Equestrian Trails Hara~ell Dam Aquatic Center (Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area) 8 1- Small turnout arena 8 1- Equestrian trail located on the N/E side connecting the Hansen Dam Sports Center and Hansen Dam Park liqns~n bam Equestrian Center (Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area) 8 Leased by Recreation and Parks Concessions and operated by Sterling Champ Hansen Dam Golf Cour~e (Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area) 8 1- Equestrian Trail located on the S/E of the facility Hansen Dam Park 8 Multiple equestrian trails throughout the Hansen Dam Basin Hansen Darn Sports Center (Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area) Equestrian Parking 1- Equestrian Trail accessing the Hansen Dam Basin and the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center Lake. View Terrace Park (Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area) 3- small equestrian turnout arenas Picnic tables Parking lot Orcas Gabrieleno Park (Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area) 1-Equestrian exercise arena- 36, 000 sq. ft. 2- Bleachers Trailer accessible parking Multiple equestrian trails leading into the Hansen Dam Basin Horse waterer
Equestrian picnic area Stohehurst. Park ' -... _,.,_,_.,.,,, 1- Equestrian arena- 10, 600 sq. ft. 1- Bleacher Small equestrian trail Horse waterer Upcorrling Projects Orc)vi~ttl Park 11101 Oro Vista Avenue, Sunland, CA 91040 CD-2 Prop K funded A parking area for cars and horse trailers will be included, walking paths meandering through new native plantings, and a picnic shelter shading new picnic tables. The hiking trails will link to existing hiking and equestrian trails nearby. A total of 2.2 acres within a 7.7 acre passive park will be reconstructed. Maintenance Performed. -.. -- -.. - --... "'' "''''' Maintenance consists of maintaining safe trail conditions, clearing debris and weeds, pruning trees, pruning shrubs, grading and filling holes, cleaning bleachers and horse waterers, dumping trashcans, picking up litter, leveling arenas, cleaning restrooms, and add repair replace equestrian fencing.... '...... West Valley Maintenance Equestrian Trails ~~II ggnyp.r:l.jf.gi,l_ :.,...i.:.. Vanowen Highlander behind soccer fields, and along Elmsberry Lane to Bell Canyon Road.. (5 miles) Quiet Hills to Roscoe (.75 miles) c:hat~w6cih obl<:~rtdil Chatsworth Oaks to Shoup on Plumber (.8 miles).vcdl~y Circle frail. Shoup and Valley Circle to Lassen (.4 miles) Valley Circle and Weinberg to Devonshire (.2 miles)
Canoga Trail. On Canoga from Chatsworth to 118 Freeway (.6 miles) Canoga and 118 Freeway to Stoney Point Park (.5 miles) Rinaldi Trail >< -'"-' West end of Rinaldi East to Independence on Rinaldi (.6 miles)... Browns Creek.Trail Rinaldi to Devonshire along Browns Creek ( 1 mile) Andora Trail Andora West of Topanga (.2 miles) Chatsworth South Park Trails 0.3 miles Maintenance Performed... Maintenance consists of maintaining safe trail conditions, clearing debris and weeds, pruning trees, pruning shrubs, grading and filling holes, cleaning bleachers and horse waterers, dumping trashcans, picking up litter, leveling arenas, cleaning restrooms, and add repair replace equestrian fencing. Northridge Maintenance Equestrian Trails Mayerling Trails Lerdo Avenue to Rexbon Road (.3 miles) Ridgeway.Road Trail Lerdo Avenue to Zelzah Avenue (.2 miles) Zeliah Park Trails.. '. Ridgeway Road to Rexbon Avenue (.1 miles) Roxbon Road Trails Zelzah Avenue to Mayerling Street (.2 miles) Lerdo Avenue Trails
Mayerling Street to Ridgeway Road (.2 miles) Runs North of Seson Boulevard, from Tampa Avenue to Moonshine Canyon (2 miles) Old :Missiori Trail Runs South of 118 Freeway, From DeSoto Avenue to Tampa Avenue (2 miles) 216 Fre~wciyJraif From Glenoaks Boulevard to DeSoto Avenue (.5 miles) b'm~jvemy Park 5 miles Two entrances to the trial o Neon Way o Main Entrance Drinking fountains Field Restrooms (men's and women's) ~ir:m~kilf! qqf}yqr:a.p.c:jr:k.... 2 miles Begins at Tunney Avenue (North of Devonshire Boulevard) and goes North through Limekiln Canyon. Continues along Tampa Boulevard to just past Sesnon Boulevard, then goes east to Aliso Canyon and then goes south to Rinaldi Street. PdJisacl$~ rraij Park 2 miles Runs east and west from Tampa to Reseda Boulevard and goes past Reseda Boulevard into Aliso Canyon Trails. MairitEmance Performed Maintenance consists of maintaining safe trail conditions, clearing debris and weeds, pruning trees, pruning shrubs, grading and filling holes, cleaning bleachers and horse waterers, dumping trashcans, picking up litter, leveling arenas, cleaning restrooms, and add repair replace equestrian fencing. upc:offiirig Projt=~f Alis 9 cariy9ntrc]nsc
East of Reseda between Sesnon and Rinaldi Northridge, CA 91326 CD- 12 Prop K 3miles Horse Arena 22, 500 sq.ft. 2- picnic areas o Handicap accessible (capacity 4) o Tables/ shelter area 25- parking stalls o 2- handicap Bike rack Automatic irrigation/ Solar 2- drinking fountains Walking path/picnic meadow Equestrian parking Stetson Ranch Arena and Dressageh11provement Proj~ct 13877 Gleanoaks Boulevard Sylmar, CA 91342 CD-7 e Quimby funded Project will consist of the installation of parking lot barriers, a dressage arena, driving arena, the refurbishing of interior roads, and construction of bleacher covers to protect spectators from the sun. We will also be exploring the possibility of LED lighting for the lower area by bathrooms for community use. A parking area for cars and horse trailers will be included, walking paths meandering through new native plantings, and a picnic shelter shading new picnic tables. The hiking trails will link to existing hiking and equestrian trails nearby. A total of 2.2 acres within a 7.7 acre passive park will be reconstructed. Horse Arena- 12, 500 sq.ft. Concrete Pad- 500 sq.ft. 2- Bleachers (approximately 200 capacity) Drinking Fountain Field Restrooms (men's and women's) Automatic Irrigation Trailer accessible dirt parking lot
EQUESTRIAN CENTERS MAINTAINED BY OTHERS take \ii~w'f~rtgce Park.. (Located in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area) Equestrian Trails leading to the Little Tujunga Wash onve'vi~wtrails 5 miles From 14204 Olive View Boulevard goes north into the Foothills where it goes off into four canyons. Approximately 1 mile per trail Maintained by the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy (31 0) 456-7049.Fiq9ti'gQ.ijt~9!J~hgllr ~ltr9!1s.. 2 miles Begins and Olive View Boulevard and Gladstone Street and goes south for 1 mile following Gladstone Street, veers East and follows Tyler Street for about a mile and ends at the 210 Freeway. Maintained by L.A. County Public Works Opens up into the Big Tujunga Wash Mitigation Area. Numerous Equestrian Trails. sohibnciijjvcitr8.til&'.ct1118ciawqvtb'sfb~ e.hor:ststr~effr&ils 2 miles in distance equestrian trail. Stonehurst Street from Peoria to Sheldon Street.5 miles equestrian trail sromont streetrrail:: Bromont Street from Wentworth to Sheldon Street.3 miles equestrian trail
Wentworth Boulevard Trail ''. '''........ -.. Wentworth Boulevard Starts at Bromont Street 1.2 miles then ends equestrian trails Foothill Place Trail Foothill Place to Esko A venue 4 miles equestrian trail Angeles Golf Course Trail Ends at Big Tujunga Wash e.3 miles of equestrian trail Foothill Boulevard Trail e e Foothill Boulevard between Osborne Street & Clyborne Street.3 miles of equestrian trail Tulsa Street/ Mason Street Starting from Tulsa Street/ Mason Street running North and South ending at 118 Freeway e 0.6 miles Indoor and outdoor maintenance conducted by Rancho Home Owners Rancho de Caballeros Equestrian Estates Trails Running by Railroad tracks on Chatsworth Street, north and South and from Railroad tracks to Owensmouth East and West Topanga/ Chatsworth Trail Topanga corner of Chatsworth starting North of Chatsworth Street running North and South on Topanga and from the corner of Topanga to Farralone Street running east and west.1 mile Lassen/ Shoup Trail e Trails is on Lassen and Shoup running North and South starting from Lassen t Plummer 0.4 miles