Assemblywoman Carrillo Presents the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority a $1.2 Million Award to Restore and Protect Urban Parkland in Northeast Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA – Assemblywoman Carrillo joined other state government officials and community leaders to present the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) an award of $1.2 Million in funding from the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division to restore three of its parks heavily impacted by illegal Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use. The ceremony took place at Elephant Hill Open Space, which is part of a natural hilltop area, and one of the impacted parks, in the historic Northeast Los Angeles community of El Sereno.

“Elephant Hill with its scenic hillsides is an open space that is important to the community of El Sereno but has come under siege by unauthorized off-roading that threatens the safety of our community, destroys natural habitats, and also has the potential to start wildfires,” said Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D- Los Angeles). “Expanding access to the outdoors for ALL Californians has been a priority of mine for years and of the Legislature, which is why we provided $34 million in last year’s budget for local assistance grants to develop and maintain areas impacted by OHV use. Our work does not stop there. This year, I am a joint author on AB 1567, the California Climate Resilience Bond, to help Los Angeles secure future funding opportunities that if approved by voters will advance the creation and expansion of safe neighborhood parks in our communities for current and future generations, and will secure funding opportunities for wildfire management systems, risk reduction, and recovery efforts. Today, we applaud and celebrate MRCA and other community partners for their commitment to restoring and protecting urban parkland in Northeast Los Angeles.” 

The MRCA owns and manages eight acres along with property owned by the cities of Los Angeles and South Pasadena. In the past few years there has been a huge increase in illegal Off-highway Vehicle use at Elephant Hill. As part of its restoration efforts at these locations, the MRCA will install fire gates, boulders, railings, and signage, and increase ranger patrol using site-specific off-road equipment. The aim is to reduce the impact of off-highway vehicles on sensitive areas and preserve the natural habitat for the local community to enjoy safely. Off-roading activities create high wildfire ignition risk and this grant will help protect the land and communities adjacent to these open spaces. The proposed projects include areas designated by CAL FIRE as Very High Fire Severity Zones, the most severe wildfire risk designation.

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Assemblywoman Carrillo was elected to serve in the State Assembly in December 2017. She represents the 52nd Assembly District, which includes East Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles and South Glendale. She serves as the Chair of the Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, in addition to the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Health, Housing and Community Development, Utilities and Energy, Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation, and the Joint Committees on Legislative Budget, and Climate Change Policies. She also serves as the Chair of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities, Vice Chair of the Legislative Progressive Caucus, as a Commissioner for the California Film Commission and serves on the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Board.