Legislation Needed to Preserve Playa Vista

I am delighted to see The Times discussing a proposal I first advanced in August 1999, that all land west of Lincoln Boulevard owned by Playa Vista be preserved for habitat and open space (“Playa Vista’s Public Role,” editorial, July 16). Because all this land is privately owned, implementing the proposal will require major financial commitments by the state. Although I have been able to persuade both the developer and Supervisor Don Knabe to support this, my efforts in Sacramento a year ago (when there was still a significant surplus) were opposed by the very people who also oppose any development at Playa Vista. Since that time, although the state surplus has diminished drastically, I have continued to work with supporters of this public acquisition.

While Los Angeles, like most other cities, could use more parks, we need to focus on making sure new recreation facilities are located close to the communities that most need them. The Westside is blessed not only with many city parks, but also state and county beaches, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area. Plans are underway to expand this 1,200-acre park, creating a park larger than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park or New York’s Central Park. Other areas of Los Angeles are not so fortunate.

At Playa Vista, our first priority should be restoration of the remaining habitat areas, which cannot be recreated in other parts of the city.

Ruth Galanter

Los Angeles City Council