Naming New Park in Annandale Canyon Delayed

The City Council on Monday tabled approving the name of a new park.

Staff recommended the park located at 1410 Wierfield Drive be called Annandale Canyon Preserve, and a nearby trail will be named and Yayaaytnga Trail.

The Gabrielino-Tongva name “Yayaaytnga” means “place of the birds.”

The Tongva once inhabited the Hahamongna Watershed Park.

 In 2009, the City acquired the undeveloped properties known as Annandale Canyon Estates for the purpose of preserving it as open space. 

But Council members wanted the item tabled for more community outreach.

Councilmember Steve Madison said he was disappointed in the process. 

Eighty-two postcards were sent out to local residents. An additional 12 people responded through an online survey.

The 82 property owners live within a 1,000 foot radius of the new park site received a postcard with a link to a park name survey. The postcard also provided a telephone number if the property owner did not wish to respond electronically. Public input for a preferred name was limited to one submission per IP address.

“My office was not aware the survey was taking place.” Madison said. 

Madison said the project has been referred to as the Annandale Canyon Preserve.

Madison said he wanted time to involve the local neighborhood associations in the area and come back with a better process. 

Several residents objected to the name and called on the City Council to recognize the area as a nature preserve. 

“We want emphasis on the public access to this. Park is confusing because it hints at a children’s playing area and picnic tables,” said Nina Chomsky. “No, this is a preserve.”

According to a City staff report, the land was under threat of development and preserved by the City, local residents, and a grant from Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

The state and the county also helped with the funds.

The open space includes 20.63 acres in Annandale Canyon located within the San Rafael Hills in the western portion of the City, and just north of the 134 freeway and the Annandale Golf Course. 

In February, the Public Works Department completed construction of a trail in Annandale Canyon. Located at 1410 Wierfield Drive, new amenities include a half mile pedestrian trail leading to a beautiful scenic overlook, six parking spaces, one bench near the beginning of the trail, and one at the overlook. 

Consistent with the City’s Park and Recreational Facility Naming Policy, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS) initiated a public outreach effort to solicit public input for the park’s official name. 

Names suggested included, Wierfield Trail, Annandale Canyon Trail,  Douglas Kranwinkle Trail, Glen Oaks Park, Irresponsible Trail, Quarter Million Dollar Boondoggle Park.

The last two names were found to be inconsistent with the City’s naming policy criteria.