Wow! It sure was great to be back at Chatsworth Park for the first time since 2008. The park had been closed for nine years because of soil contamination, due to a firing range that was on site in the 1950s, but they finally got it cleaned up and reopened it two days ago. It looks as green and gorgeous as it did a decade ago, although that is because of a total restoration. As the years went by, I could see, from higher up in the hills at Santa Susana State Park, that Chatsworth Park had fallen into total disrepair, completely dried up and all plants, lawns and trees in the main park became deceased. It just looked abandoned, but then a couple of years ago I noticed a few tractors on site. Then I saw new trees planted. I wondered when they were ever gonna re-open the park. And then, about last Winter I noticed a new green lawn was in place. And finally - after nine years - I went back today. Totally awesome!
I had a history with Chatsworth Park (as did many Valley kids) because when I was in YMCA Summer Camp in 1968, we used to have sleepovers in the park, right there on the lawn under the stars. No cabins, no tents. Just the kids and the counselors, each in a sleeping bag. I remember roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over a campfire, and the young adult (but still likely teenaged) counselors telling us ghost stories, a couple of which were so scary that I never forgot them. The stories had to do with weird happenings up in the hills behind us, in the Santa Susana Mountains, and as an 8 year old I became fascinated with the place. I was lucky, too, as were all the campers, because I doubt that in today's world that kids would be allowed to camp out overnight on the park's wide green lawn, with just sleeping bags and 19 year old counselors for protection.
I always loved the place, and my sister and I used to take Dad there in the mid-2000s. Such great memories.
I also went to Chatsworth Park, by myself, on September 12th, 2001. The day after 9/11.
That day had been such a shock, to us all, and for me, on the next day I needed to just go and chill somewhere, after watching the horrible news nonstop on the day of that event.
So I went to Chatsworth Park. It seemed the natural place to go. I was the only one there, and I felt some peace at a frightening time. I even took pictures that day, with a disposable film camera. My digital days were still 11 years in the future.
I had never even heard of Santa Susana State Historic Park in 2001, and had no idea that a vast plateau of trails existed in the hills behind Chatsworth Park. Us kids had all heard tales of caves up there, and in the 1960s it was said that biker gangs would congregate up there, and......Charles Manson. That madman has always been part of the Chatsworth consciousness, due to the location of the Spahn Ranch, also in the hills and less then a mile from the park.
I think Santa Su had itself been closed off from the public, maybe for decades, and that is why I had never heard of it. I think it may have been Schwarzanegger - an otherwise horrible Governor - who opened up the land to the public about 15 years ago.....
And when I discovered Santa Susana in 2013, I came to know that this was all Indian Country, and ancient. Chatsworth Park was the greened-up and beautified Los Angeles City Park portion of the higher-elevated Santa Susana State Of California grounds, which have always remained in their "original condition", which is why when you go there, you can feel the Indian Vibe 100%.
So, it was due to the closure of Chatsworth Park in 2008 that the discovery of Santa Susana State Park was made five years later, out of a desire to have a place to continue the ancient Western experience, which is felt as a vibe coming from the rocky hills we can all see at the west end of the Valley, the Santa Susana Mountains.
And I have been hiking ever since I discovered Santa Susana State Park, which is not a place for families, necessarily, or campers or children. It has no playground, nor green grass. It is the Real Deal - preserved ancient Indian Country.
But so was the acreage of Chatsworth Park, once upon a time. Now it is all greened-up and safe for children, just like it was in the 1960s, and it is beautiful once again. And without it, I might never have discovered Santa Susana, and begun hiking and discovering all kinds of other, authentic places in the area.
And so, a great day today.
This eve I watched a movie called "Houdini", about the great magician and escape artist. I will tell you a little bit more about it tomorrow, because it is late and I have church in the morn.
Been listening to the new Alice Cooper album. I give it about a 7.5, pretty awesome. :)
And I will be done with the Van Halen book tomorrow. Pretty awesome, and a bit depressing too.
But more awesome than depressing. :)
See you in church! ////
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