P1 1WHEREAS, On June 4, 2016, the Backbone Trail, a spectacular
267-mile route among the canyons and mountains of the Santa
3Monica Mountains officially opened; and
4WHEREAS, The Backbone Trail began as a dream in 1944 with
5the establishment of Will Rogers State Historic Park which is now
6the eastern end of the Backbone Trail. Over the decades, the
7Department of Parks and Recreation established Topanga State
8Park, Malibu Creek State Park, and Point Mugu State Park; and
9WHEREAS, In 1978, the United States Congress established
10the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area to be
11managed by the National Park Service in partnership with state
12and local governments. Additionally, the Santa Monica Mountains
13Conservancy, the Mountain Recreation and Conservation
14Authority, and the National Park Service acquired numerous
15properties for the Backbone Trail; and
16WHEREAS, An essential contribution to the trail came from
17volunteers whose work began long before the trail was pieced
18together by public agencies and whose volunteer contributions are
19an unsung success story that made it possible for the trail to open
20to the public this year; and
21WHEREAS, Financial grants from local governments, such as
22the City of Los Angeles, and property grants from private donors,
23including a donation of one of the final parcels by former California
24Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and fitness pioneer Betty
P2 1Weider, completed the acquisitions necessary to complete the trail;
2and
3WHEREAS, Trails and greenways have a beneficial impact on
4the quality of life in California, including the environment,
5economy, health, education, and community livability; and
6WHEREAS, The recognition and completion of the Backbone
7Trail, which has been designated as an official California trail
8corridor in the California State Recreation Trails Plan, and which
9the National Park Service may designate as a National Recreation
10Trail, is an integral part of government’s responsibility to provide
11public access to parklands; now, therefore, be it
12Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
13recognizes the California Department of Parks and Recreation for
14its contribution of integral parts of the Backbone Trail in the Santa
15Monica Mountains, declares the Backbone Trail an official
16interagency and state trail, and urges all affected public agencies
17to work collaboratively on the successful management of the trail
18for the perpetual use and enjoyment of the public; and be it further
19Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
20this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
O
99