We are proud that the City of Santa Clarita has worked hard over the years to protect its open space and develop trails within its boundaries. Now, if we can secure U.S. Rep. Steve Knight’s leadership, we have the chance to improve recreational opportunities and protect open space in the mountains that flank and define the Santa Clarita Valley.

Many of the trails above Santa Clarita are only faded lines on old maps, much to the frustration of mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians and family picnickers alike. Improving outdoor recreational opportunities is all the more important in an era where more and more kids (and adults, too) are glued to digital screens and out of touch with the natural world. Enhanced recreational opportunities can lead to higher property values, healthier lifestyles and improved sales for local outdoor businesses.

What is happening in the mountains above the San Gabriel Valley is an example of what could happen adjacent to the Santa Clarita Valley. The San Gabriel Mountains – which run right up to Santa Clarita’s eastern city limits – have undergone positive changes in recent years after the establishment of the 365,000-acre San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in 2014. The Forest Service, the agency that manages the monument, has recently issued bold new plans to improve trails and visitor educational services and to build new support facilities in heavily visited areas. Nature trails for kids and families are beginning planned. In a challenging time for park resources, the monument designation has moved the national monument to the head of the line.

View from the Condor Peak Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains. Trails in this area east of Santa Clarita are in disrepair as are many other mountain trails near Santa Clarita. Photo: Carole Scurlock

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument covers most but not all of the San Gabriel Mountains. Our challenge is that the monument does not extend all the way to Santa Clarita, so we are missing out on its benefits. The good news is that legislation had been introduced in Congress to expand the national monument all the way to Santa Clarita (see map).

Many people and organizations support expanding the monument. Now we need Congressman Knight’s leadership. Please join me in urging him to support legislation to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument (the “San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act,” H.R. 2323). Urge him to oppose what we have dubbed “The National Monument Elimination Act” by a Utah member of Congress (it has the bill number of H.R. 3990) which would eliminate our ability ever to expand the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. It even could even could threaten the existing national monument.

Knight currently has no position on either bill, even though they impact the health of our youth, the availability of quality outdoor recreation for all, and even our property values. Rep. Knight, we ask you to lead the way.

John Monsen works with the nonprofit organization Nature for All, which connects youth with the outdoors. Monsen was the 2017 recipient of the Sierra Club-Los Angeles Chapter’s Extraordinary Achievement Award for his involvement in the establishment of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. He can be reached at wildernessjfm@aol.com.