City Should Buy 58 Acres

In your story on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy’s decision to authorize certain purchases from its share of Proposition A funds (“Agency Authorizes Land Purchases,” Times Valley Edition March 31), the Siegler property of 6.35 acres is described as “above Sherman Oaks.”

This property is clearly in Bel Air. There appears to be no benefit to Sherman Oaks or the Valley side of the mountains in this purchase. Its location as well as its topography, nearly vertical, will prevent its use by the public.

We do need public recreational open space dearly in the mountains of Sherman Oaks and there is a property available for purchase now of 58 acres, nearly 10 times the size of Seigler, for nearly the same cost.

This oak-covered property has two canyons, three ridges and would link Dixie Canyon Park, donated by Warren Beatty, with its year-round stream, to Mulholland so rangers can provide operation and maintenance. This property would link the existing park system east of Coldwater Canyon as well as Franklin Canyon in Beverly Hills to the Valley west of Coldwater Canyon, expanding the park to the benefit of park-poor Valley residents.

The city of Los Angeles has a large share of Proposition A funds which are discretionary. The conservancy frequently buys parkland within the city, both in and outside of the Santa Monicas. Now it’s the city’s turn.

SUSAN GENELIN

Sherman Oaks