YORBA LINDA : Land Deal Involving Park Near Approval

City officials are close to approving an agreement that will give Chino Hills State Park about 800 acres in Brush Canyon in exchange for the construction of more entrances to the park for city residents.

In February, Councilman John M. Gullixson proposed that the land swap include giving the Placentia Unified School District property for a new high school.

But district officials say the state park property is too steep for a high school site, and Chino Hills park officials are unwilling to give away land that would be developed.

Instead, city officials now will work with the state Department of Parks and Recreation to set aside parcels of land for additional pedestrian and equestrian entrances to Chino Hills at three to five more points along the park’s southern ridgeline. Residents now have access only through a gateway near Rimcrest Drive and Fairmont Boulevard.

Both agencies also plan to work to develop possible joint projects along the park’s south ridgeline, such as picnic areas, trails, equestrian staging areas and parking lots. Because of a lack of state funds, it is expected that Yorba Linda would bear the cost of any project.

“There’s no question that Brush Canyon will eventually be turned over to the park people,” Councilman Gene Wisner said. “However, we don’t want to ruin our bargaining chip.”

The Brush Canyon land, which borders Chino Hills State Park on the extreme northeast end of Yorba Linda, is considered unsuitable for development because it has such a steep grade and rugged terrain.

The land is owned by AW Associates, the developer of a nearby housing project called Bryant Ranch. Under the terms of an agreement made a decade ago, the owner of the Brush Canyon site will eventually have to give the property to Yorba Linda. If negotiations are successful, the city would in turn give the land to the state.

“We have such a large boundary with it, and it would be very easy for us to take on that additional management,” said Ron Schafer, the Chino Hills district superintendent.

State parks officials say Brush Canyon would preserve the vanishing hillsides in the community, as well as add to the park’s buffer zone, which could provide a wildlife corridor for animals and birds.

One rare bird, the golden eagle, has a nesting site in Brush Canyon.