Utilization of State Grant Funding for the Preservation of 500 +/- Acres

The City of Santa Clarita is utilizing a 7,000,000 dollar grant awarded by the California Department of Parks and Recreation through the 2022-23 Open Space Acquisition Grant Program to purchase approximately 500 acres of land. The acquisition includes the LaBelle, Vartanian, Chaleff and English, and Forum Engineering properties, encompassing thirteen specific assessor parcel numbers. This initiative aims to expand and preserve open space, maintain greenbelt buffers around the city, and ensure continued access to conservation areas and existing trail systems. The project was approved by the City Council on October 28, 2025, and is managed by the City of Santa Clarita Neighborhood Services Department. It is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under several classifications, including the acquisition of lands for fish and wildlife conservation, the establishment of parks, and the preservation of habitat and historical resources. Primary administrative contact for the project is Parks Manager Susan Nelson.