Linda Vista-Annandale Association RECEIVED
Pasadena, CA
2022 OCT 24 PM 1: 18
October 24, 2022
Re: Annandale Canyon Park: Naming of Park and Trail; Council Meeting of 10-24-2022; Agenda Item 11.
Mayor Gordo and Councilmembers,
The Linda Vista-Annandale Association (LVAA) appreciates the opportunity to comment on this Agenda Item which has direct importance to and impact on LVAA.
LVAA has a long record of involvement with this Park area. The proposed formal naming of the area is one of the last step in a long process over 20 plus years to save natural, beautiful and environmentally sensitive Annandale Canyon from intense and undesirable development and to dedicate the Canyon to publicly accessible passive recreational Park use in perpetuity. LVAA's efforts were made in partnership and cooperation with adjacent neighbors, but LVAA was a "prime mover" in this long but ultimately successful effort.
How ironic then that LVAA was not contacted or consulted, and our opinions not sought at all in this naming effort. Public outreach for this naming effort was minimal and weak, and ignored many throughout our neighborhood and the City, including LVAA.
Having pointed out this oversight "for the record," first, LVAA supports the naming of the Trail reflecting the indigenous First peoples who occupied this area. The Canyon is a place for Birding and is a recognized Flyway for local and migrating Birds. How appropriate that the proposed indigenous name means generally "Place of Birds."
As to the Park name, we have some concerns discussed at a recent LVAA Board meeting. The term "Preserve," while connoting "preservation" which certainly is an important aspect of this Park effort, might also connote that this is a private area. The Canyon Park is NOT private; it is a Pasadena public Park open to everyone in the City and ALL are welcome to experience and enjoy this natural area. Therefore, to reduce any confusion about status, and also clarify that this is a natural Park, LVAA suggests the following Park name: ANNANDALE CANYON NATURE PRESERVE.
Thank you for considering LVAA's suggestion for the naming of the Park, and we hope that you will agree and adopt Annandale Canyon Nature Preserve as the Park name.
Sincerely,
Linda Vista-Annandale Association
Is/ Nina Chomsky
By: Nina Chomsky, LVAA President
cc: LVAA Board of Directors
10/24/2022
Item 11