Officials finalized a land deal this week with the city that will result in another new community park.
Santa Clarita’s purchase of about 26 acres adjacent to the Via Princessa Metrolink station for eventual use as parkland – first reported in The Signal on Oct. 25 – became official when the county Board of Supervisors approved the $651,000 sale.
The property will “potentially” be used “as a multi-use field, similar to the field at Central Park” and not exclusively a soccer field, as reported elsewhere, according Carrie Lujan, the city’s new communications manager.
No timeline was immediately known for when the space will be improved and open for use. The property is between Whites Canyon Road and Sierra Highway.
The City Council had OK’d the purchase back on Oct. 25, and the supervisors gave their approval on Tuesday in a unanimous vote.
“We appreciate the mutual effort between the city and the county to provide vital amenities for our residents,” said Santa Clarita City Councilman Bob Kellar.
Said Supervisor Kathryn Barger: “My office is dedicated to working cooperatively with our cities and communities to provide recreational facilities and programs that improve the quality of life for our residents.”
The city’s $651,000 comes from its Open Space Preservation District Fund balance – money already collected and set aside in the budget for purchasing open space.
Back on Oct. 25, City Manager Kenneth W. Striplin said specific uses for the newly acquired property were not yet determined, but that “the conceptualization” was that it eventually would encompass some combination of active parkland and open space.
Parking would also be included, he said.
The nearby Metrolink station would not be affected by the purchase.
Originally, the land was part of the old Highway 126 alignment and State Route 14 improvements. The county obtained it from Newhall Land & Farming Co., and had offered to sell it to the city for the appraised $651,000 value.
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