Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the City of Santa Clarita

As we come together to celebrate the Christmas holiday, it’s a perfect opportunity to also celebrate our beloved city of Santa Clarita. This year has been remarkable for our community. Throughout the past twelve months, our City has continued to flourish, with new parks, amenities, programs and opportunities for our residents to spend time with their families and friends. Looking back at all we have accomplished this holiday season is the perfect time to reflect and show gratitude for all of the wonderful reasons we call Santa Clarita home.

This year, our City led the way in family-friendly events, with dozens to choose from. Whether you enjoyed the music at Concerts in the Park this summer, met friends at the SENSES Block Parties in Old Town Newhall, watched a movie at City Cinemas, went to the beloved Cowboy Festival or joined us last month at Light Up Main Street, this year offered our community so many fun, free activities. I am proud that our residents embrace these events, as it is our goal to create memorable moments for everyone to enjoy. The sense of unity and camaraderie cultivated by these gatherings is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year and holiday season.

We also saw the grand opening of the Vista Canyon Multi-Modal Center in Canyon Country this year. Officially the fourth Metrolink station located in our City, this amenity will help connect Santa Clarita to Los Angeles and Lancaster, and more importantly, give our residents a budget and environmentally-friendly option other than driving. This state-of-the-art station was designed with our residents in mind, offering bike lockers, transit access, dual platforms and public art. We also completed the Central Park Buildout project, which offers our community four new multipurpose fields, a 172-step exercise staircase, upgrades to the dog park, an additional basketball court and so much more. This new space will enhance the experience for park-goers, giving visitors additional opportunities to stay active and create a sense of community.

Santa Clarita wouldn’t be the City we all loved if it wasn’t for our always-busy Santa Clarita Public Library Branches and our Canyon Country and Newhall Community Centers. Throughout the year, these facilities offered hundreds of programs for children, teens, adults and seniors. From storytimes and the brand-new 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, to afterschool opportunities and most recently the Family Literacy Festival, these amenities are local hubs, bringing our community together for fun and engaging programming.

As we gather with our friends and loved ones this holiday season, let us not forget the significance of family and the importance of community. I hope we can all continue to foster the bonds that make Santa Clarita a truly special place for families and friends to come together and create cherished memories. From the city of Santa Clarita, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Ken Striplin is the city manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.