The city of Santa Clarita, which celebrated its 37th birthday on Dec. 15, 2024, was busy in the past year providing city residents with a host of new amenities. Included among the city accomplishments in 2024 was the opening of Skyline Ranch Park, the city’s 38th park located in Plum Canyon, as well as the opening of the city’s third community center located in the old YMCA building in Valencia.
City Parks
The city in 2025 will be busy refurbishing parks as well as constructing the city’s 39th park, the Pioneer Oil Refinery historical site located on the corner of Needham Ranch Parkway and Pioneer Way.
The new park will offer residents and visitors an interactive experience where they can learn about the significance of the Pioneer Oil Refinery, an important landmark in the history of California’s oil industry.
The historic landmark will be transformed into a space where the public can appreciate its significance while enjoying the park’s scenic beauty, surrounded by the Newhall Pass Open Space. The park will also feature walking paths that connect to surrounding trails. Groundbreaking for the new park was held on Oct. 29.
Among the parks to see upgrades in 2024 is Old Orchard Park in Valencia. One of the city’s oldest parks, Old Orchard Park was originally developed in 1968 long before Santa Clarita became its own city.
The 5.4-acre park is located 25023 Ave Rotella, Valencia, CA 91355
Old Orchard Park is scheduled to undergo a wide variety of enhancements during the renovation which broke ground on Oct. 2, 2024.
Enhancements include new playground equipment with a large shade structure and the current restroom facility will be upgraded, making it ADA compliant.
A new multisport court will allow community members to try futsal, a form of soccer played on a smaller court. Also, a pickleball overlay will be added to the basketball court.
The extensive renovations and upgrades to Old Orchard Park are slated to be open for play by early summer of 2025.
David March Park, located at 28310 Via Joyce Drive, Saugus, 91350, will undergo a massive expansion with eight acres of space added to include a state-of-the-art baseball field with spectator seating, a new restroom building and parking lot. Additionally, enhancements to the existing park which opened in 2003 will include a new basketball court, shade canopy, exercise equipment area and a picnic pavilion.
Enjoy cooking for a family gathering on the charcoal grill, which is near the permanent cornhole toss and horseshoe pit.
These improvements are not expected to be complete until sometime in 2026.
William S. Hart Park
Perhaps the biggest news in city parks will be the acquisition of the William S. Hart Regional Park, Mansion and Museum, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321. The city of Santa Clarita is expected to take over management of the park on July 1, 2025.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the transfer of the historic 160-acre property on Aug. 6. The effort to gain ownership of Hart Park by Santa Clarita started in July of 2022,
Upon his death in 1946, Western silent film star Hart left his estate and property to the “people of Los Angeles,” which included his mansion and its contents.
Hart Park has been managed by the County of Los Angeles and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
The Hart Mansion has been closed since March 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis.
In anticipation of the transfer of the park, the city of Santa Clarita is currently looking for a dedicated professional to oversee the daily care of the William S. Hart Park Museum, its collections and exhibits. Visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/santaclarita.
Valencia Community Center
The 12,000 sq. ft. Valencia Community Center, which includes the city’s only indoor swimming pool, officially opened in December. Programing at the center, which includes swim classes, community recreation classes and Primetime Preschool will be offered.
Among the programs to be offered are those designed to promote health, wellness and personal growth. These classes include offerings such as Tai Chi and MELT fitness sessions, which both focus on mobility, reducing pain and improving overall body function.
The Valencia Community Center is located at Valencia Summit Park, 26147 McBean Parkway, Valencia. CA 91355.
For Primetime Preschool visit https://santaclarita.gov/primetime-preschool/ to sign up.
Contact (661) 250-3700 for more information on aquatics programming or community classes.
Rink Sports Pavilion
The Rink Sports Pavilion located adjacent to the gymnasium at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex, 20870 Centre Pointe Parkway Santa Clarita CA 91350, broke ground in August 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2026.
The 25,701 square-foot facility will feature a 12,000-square-foot multi-use rink and will offer residents a roller-skating rink as well as a basketball court, volleyball court, pickleball courts, a commercial kitchen, DJ booth and birthday party spaces.
River of Lights
The River of Lights currently under construction at Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus, CA 91350, will consist of hundreds of LED lights within the path along the plaza and the 172-step exercise staircase. The lights are programable with varying colors and levels of brightness and can create the visual effect such of flowing water, or a “river of lights.” The project is expected to be completed early in 2025.
Open Space and Trails
The city now has more than 13,000 acres of dedicated open space and 100 miles of interconnecting trails for hiking, biking and strolling. Hundreds of acres of open space have been acquired in the last year, expect more acreage to be added in 2025.
For information on accessing Santa Clarita’s trails and open space visit https://hikesantaclarita.com.
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