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Indian Museum in the Works for Newhall
• Cultural center would be located on the Rivendale property in Towsley Canyon.
By Josh Premako
Signal Staff Writer
Thursday, November 17, 2005
he Santa Clarita Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission received an update on goals for the coming year this week, and part of that could include an Indian museum and cultural center in Newhall.
One of several priority projects for 2006 is a master plan for the 60-acre Rivendale property, said Rick Gould, Director of Parks and Recreation, at Wednesday's study session.
The former horse ranch property is located at the mouth of Towsley Canyon, just south of the junction of The Old Road and Calgrove Boulevard.
During the public comment period, John Valenzuela, chairman of the San Fernando Band of Mission Indians, and Russell Myers, president of REM Architects, presented the tribe's intentions for a museum and cultural center on the property.
The tribe has been determined by the city to be the most likely direct descendants of remains found in the Santa Clarita Valley over the past several years.
"It's a great effort," Valenzuela said, "and (the city's) been very positive."
Though in the infant stages, the tribe's proposal is for an approximate 19,000-square-foot structure housing a museum and meeting hall, as well as outdoor areas to allow for cultural events such as powwows.
There are two two-story buildings on the property that have been condemned since the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
The property is owned by the city and managed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which Gould said would be a strong participant in an appropriate project for the site.
Myers said the cultural center would replace those buildings and act as an appropriate gateway for the valley.
"It's still just a concept," he said, and added that he shares the city's commitment to preserving the area's cultural background. "The possibilities are endless."
If the Parks and Recreation commissioners make the Rivendale site a priority for 2006, the next stop for a proposal such as the Indian center would be the Planning Commission.
"I encourage you," Myers told the commission, "prioritize the Rivendale master plan."
The bulk of the study session was dedicated to Gould's presentation of city accomplishments over the last year, plus proposed priorities for 2006.
He said a design for the proposed Whites Canyon Park should be finished by June, so that as soon as funds are available construction can begin.
Gould listed numerous goals for the coming year, including an outdoor amphitheater, a municipal golf course, redesign and redevelopment of aging parks and the master plan for the aforementioned Rivendale property.
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