Meeting to Focus on Wildlife Area Projects

An update on the wildlife area expansion construction and its effects on educational programs will be discussed Tuesday at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Areas Steering Committee meeting.

The wildlife area, which holds elementary school field trips during the spring and fall semesters, will be closed during construction, said James Ward, principal grounds maintenance supervisor for the city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Valley Region.

“Opening of the wildlife area will be early next spring,” Ward said. Completion is slated for mid- to late December, he added.

When completed, the wildlife area will be expanded from its current 103 acres to 225 acres and will include several bridges over Haskell Creek, observation areas, an outdoor teaching facility and a restroom building, Ward said.

To compensate for the lack of activity in the fall, more field trips will be scheduled in spring 1999, said steering committee member Muriel Kotin, a volunteer for the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society, which organizes guided tours of the wildlife area.

“We will probably run field trips somewhat later into the spring as opposed to most years,” Kotin said.

In addition to wildlife area expansion, the proposed construction of a $2-million clubhouse at Woodley Lakes Golf Course will be discussed, Ward said.

“Woodley has been operating with trailers for many years,” he said. “It’s about time that place got the clubhouse it desperately needs.”

The committee is currently contracting a bonding agency for the clubhouse construction project, Ward said.

Tuesday’s public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Department of Recreation and Parks Valley Region headquarters, 6335 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys.