Use of Deer Canyon as Public Area Gains Support

A plan to open Deer Canyon as a public area won unanimous approval this week from the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission.

“We’ve argued and haggled, and we have to come to a decision,” said Commissioner L.E. Terrell, who spoke in support of the park’s master plan.

Owners of homes next to the 130-acre site in Anaheim Hills had voiced opposition to turning the open space into a park. They voiced concerns that the change would bring crime, vagrants and heavy traffic to the area.

They also objected to improving the site, saying they preferred leaving it as undisturbed open space.

Park improvements, estimated at $1 million and to be financed with money from the Highlands Mello-Roos Assessment District, will include a parking area for 30 cars, a restroom, equestrian and hiking trails and fire-prevention measures.

Community Services Director Chris Jarvi said the small parking lot at the northern end of the park, about three-quarters of a mile from Santa Ana Canyon Road, will help to avoid problems caused by park visitors leaving their cars on residential streets.

The city will also work with four private landowners to obtain public access across those properties for the park entrance.

One of those property owners, George Pulliam, spoke against granting park access across his land.

“It will bring traffic and crime into my backyard,” said Pulliam, who said he will continue to fight the proposal when it goes to the City Council next month.

But Jarvi said making improvements to Deer Canyon is a way to maintain the city-owned site.

“I think there’s a bigger potential for crime if we don’t have management of that area,” Jarvi said.