Council to take plans for pocket park at Ultimate Destination

The La Cañada Flintridge City Council will return from its summer break on Monday and vote on whether the city should move forward with the long-discussed Ultimate Destination Pocket Park.

At the first meeting since Aug. 6, the council will decide whether to approve city staff’s environmental report on the project and whether to apply for grant funding from the county.

The Ultimate Destination is a lookout point in Cherry Canyon offering views of the San Gabriel Valley, San Gabriel Mountains and La Cañada Flintridge. The plans for a pocket park were set in motion when longtime trails advocate Liz Blackwelder donated $35,000 to the city in hopes of having a water fountain installed for thirsty hikers, riders and horses.

As the project grew in scope to include a restroom and picnic facilities, its costs rose to an estimated $131,560. In 2011 the city voted to delay construction until the current fiscal year.

The council will also open public discussion of the city’s proposed new tree ordinance, but is not expected to vote on implementing the new ordinance until the Oct. 1 council meeting.

-- Daniel Siegal, Times Community News

Twitter: @ValleySunDan