Local News in Brief : Conservancy Panel Extends Grant for Hansen Horse Trail

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy advisory committee Tuesday night approved a one-year extension of a grant to the city of Los Angeles for construction of a Hansen Dam equestrian trail.

The $77,500 grant was to expire June 30. A week ago, the conservancy threatened to reclaim its money because the city had not made progress on the 4-mile trail since receiving the grant in 1986.

That possibility angered some San Fernando Valley horse riders, who said they could not understand the delay.

Tuesday’s extension was based on a promise by the city Department of Recreation and Parks that work on the trail would begin in the fall.

Last week, Joel Breitbart, a city parks planning manager, said the nearly $144,000 allocated for the trail project--$77,500 from the conservancy plus a $66,000 share of the 1984 State Park Bond Fund--is insufficient. Contractors’ estimates are closer to $400,000, he said.

But after a June 1 meeting with the riders, he vowed that the trail will be made usable by the end of the year. In a letter to the conservancy, dated June 3, Breitbart said a bare-bones, two-mile trail with rails on either side and a bridge across the dam spillway could be built within the original budget.

To save money, additional overtime work and maintenance would be provided by city parks staff, he said.

Conservancy analyst John Diaz said advisory committee members are satisfied with Breitbart’s assurances, but that he would closely monitor trail progress.

The trail is to connect existing roads, creating a loop around the dam and recreation area.