Other Conservation Areas
Old Marengo Park
We spearheaded the effort to turn a dirt lot that sat barren for 42 years into a community pocket park.
Nestled in a residential neighborhood at the intersection of Marengo Avenue and Woodbury Road in Altadena, Old Marengo Park is a community beautification project that demonstrates water-wise gardening techniques. Completed in 2008, the park features native plants and low-water plants, as well as a system that collects and percolates rainwater to replenish the aquifer.
In 2011, Altadena Heritage designated the park an Altadena Heritage Area. AFC and Altadena Heritage partner to maintain the park and invite surrounding residents to join in its stewardship. If you would like to get involved contact AFC Land Manager & Community Liaison, Tim Martinez: timmartinez@arroyosfoothills.org.
Piñon Hills Reserve
In 2001 AFC received a donation of 40 acres of natural open space in the Eastern Antelope Valley. The property slopes gently from South to North on the northern alluvial fan of the San Gabriel Mountains with elevations ranging from approximately 4080 ft. in the southwest corner to 3920 ft. in the northeast corner. In 2022, AFC sold this property to Transition Habitat Conservancy.
The dominant natural community on the property is California Juniper-Joshua Tree Woodland with dense stands of juniper interspersed with fairly dense Joshua trees. The site supports a diverse assemblage of desert shrubs with dominant perennial plants being California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum polifolium), boxthorn (Lycium sp.), blue sage (Salvia dorrii), interior goldenbush (Ericameria linearifolia), rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa), chaparral yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei) and Mormon tea (Ephedra nevadensis). During an initial biological survey, AFC advisors Mickey Long and Tracey Alsobrook recorded a total of 30 plant species on the property, 27 native, and only 3 species non-native, indicating a very intact, undisturbed ecosystem.
Wildlife on the site include birds like resident cactus wrens, summer-visiting Scott’s orioles, and various desert sparrows. There is evidence of healthy rodent diversity on the numerous tracks and burrows, and coyotes, gray fox, and bobcats undoubtedly make this habitat home. Several species of lizards have been seen, including the very cool leopard lizard.
Tujunga Gateway Park
In February 2017, California State Assembly District 39 Member and Majority Whip Raul Bocanegra’s office asked AFC for assistance in securing 111 privately owned acres of natural open space in Big Tujunga Canyon.
Community members wanted to save it from development. We had a head start: we have in depth biological studies on all the privately owned parcels in the Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor (“HTC”), including these. Our findings were favorable biologically and for wildlife passage. Once we did site visits we saw a compelling case for saving the Big Tujunga property.
The Assemblymember asked us to enumerate our findings to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in support of his request for $3,000,000 in funding toward a $3,940,000 purchase price. We were delighted to learn that the allocation was approved.
One of our biological studies was adopted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for its work plan for the HTC. This opened the door to an additional $800,000 of funding. $140,000 from our County Supervisor Kathryn Barger rounded out the necessary funding, and MRCA purchased these 111 acres. Now they are preserved forever.
