Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Comments Sought by City on Plans to Preserve Santa Clara River : Santa Clarita: The park would set aside 14-mile stretch. It is one of the last in Southern California to retain a mostly natural riverbank.

Residents will get a chance over the next several months to comment on city plans to preserve a portion of the Santa Clara River as a natural recreation area, authorities said Monday.

The proposed Santa Clara River Park would set aside a 14-mile stretch of the river that runs through the city, said John Danielson, the city’s parks and recreation supervisor. The Santa Clara River is one of the last in Southern California to retain a mostly natural riverbank.

The recreation park could include trails to the river, as well as planned activities, Danielson said. “We’re also taking a look at habitat restoration or preservation,” he said.

The river is dry most of the year but subject to heavy flooding during winter. Consequently, facilities such as horse or hiking trails would likely be built on river banks or adjacent lots, he said.

Between 12 and 15 public meetings are planned over the next six months so residents can offer suggestions about the proposed river uses, said City Trails and Open Space Coordinator Joe Inch. No meeting dates have been scheduled yet.

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Inch said the city is open to practical suggestions.

“We might say, ‘It’s great you want a soccer field there, but it’s in the middle of a flood plain . . . ‘ “ he said.

The city plans to spend about $3.7 million in state and county funds on the park, which is scheduled for completion at the end of 1996, Inch said.

Year-round water activities, such as paddle boats, have been studied but are unlikely to be part of the project because of cost, Danielson said. The river could be kept flowing year-round, using a combination of underground water pumped to the surface and purified sewage water discharged from local treatment plants but that would be expensive, he said.

The actual location of the park has not been determined.

Several people with river property in the Santa Clarita city limits have approached officials about selling their land for the park, Danielson said.

“We may spread it out so each part of town has different access and usages, according to what they want,” he said.

For example, the city may build one river park with an equestrian area, he said.