WRSHP April 2005 Public Meeting

PUBLIC MEETING ON EQUESTRIAN MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR
WILL ROGERS STATE HISTORIC PARK
April 28, 2005, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Drive
Los Angeles, California

OVERVIEW

The California Department of Parks and Recreation is implementing an Equestrian Management Plan for Will Rogers State Historic Park (WRSHP) in Pacific Palisades. An April, 28, 2005 public meeting was called to gain input on the scope and framework of the plan.  Fourteen public participants and ten staff attended the public hearing. The plan will serve to support overall Park efforts honoring Will Rogers’ life. A formal draft will be ready in late June or July 2005 and circulated for public comment and an additional public hearing will be held.

The plan will likely trigger requirements to change the park’s General Plan.  In order to fulfill requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act there may be additional, specific public input processes related to the plan. 

Staff provided a summary of documents related to the development of the plan and discussed recent improvements at the Park and what will be needed for the future. The work of the Equestrian Advisory Committee convened in 2002 was also briefly described.  View Complete Public Meeting Notes.

Will Rogers State Historic Park
Improvements Update as of April 28, 2005

1.   Inventory, catalogue, and computerize 5,000 artifacts – DONE
2.   Complete a Master Drainage/Geotech Study – DONE
3.   Repair Historic Flagstone Porch and Walkway – DONE
4.   Restore Historic Ranch House Interior, Install Insulation, Moisture Barrier,
      and Moisture Reduction System for Ranch House – 60% done
5.   Implement Master Drainage Plan Phase I – DONE
6.   Stabilize Hay Barn Phase I – DONE
7.   Repair Historic Stables Phase I – 90% DONE
8.   Rehabilitate Historic Carpenter/Blacksmith shops Phase I – 95% Done
9.   Restore exterior appearance of Historic Guest House/Garage – DONE
10. Replace Historic Rock Wall near Ranch House – DONE
11. Complete an Historic Landscape Management Plan – DONE
12. Install Historic Ornamental Plantings Phase I – SOON
13. Reconstruct historic Jim Rogers’ Barn (volunteers, staff, and nonprofit supported) – 90% Done
14. Complete Visitor Center Exhibit Plan, Exhibit Fabrication & Installation – 60% Done
15. Develop and Audio-Visual Program – Upcoming
16. Install Wheelchair access to the Ranch House – Upcoming
17. Acquire a Getty Grant for student interns to assist with
      research, conservation, and maintenance of collections – DONE
18. Conserve taxidermy mounts, lighting fixtures, blacksmith shop tools – 65% Done
19. Develop and install compact storage for artifacts and archival materials – 50% Done
20. Return Historic farm equipment to WRSHP – to be done in May 2005.

For information about the WRSHP Equestrian Management Plan contact Jennifer Ruffolo, Project Manager, at 916-651-9523 or jruffolo@parks.ca.gov