Santa Clarita Spends $52 Million on Open Space Preservation

City leaders say the effort to create a greenbelt around the valley is far from slowing down.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:05am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of an iconic open space object like a hiking boot or park bench, repeated in a tight grid pattern in the style of Andy Warhol, conceptually representing Santa Clarita's commitment to outdoor recreation and environmental conservation.Santa Clarita's growing investment in open space preservation aims to protect natural habitats and enhance the community's quality of life.Santa Clarita Today

The City of Santa Clarita has spent over $52 million since 2007 to acquire and preserve more than 13,000 acres of open space, including natural habitats, wildlife corridors, and historic landmarks like Beale's Cut. Officials say the program remains a top priority, with plans to purchase at least four additional properties in 2026 and many more in the pipeline as landowner interest grows.

Why it matters

Santa Clarita's open space preservation program aims to protect the community's quality of life by creating a greenbelt around the valley, safeguarding natural areas and wildlife corridors. The program is funded by a voter-approved property assessment, allowing the city to quickly acquire land when opportunities arise, though rising costs remain a challenge.

The details

The Open Space Preservation District is funded through a small yearly fee on property tax bills, about $43 per parcel. City officials say the goal is to increase the fee by up to $1 annually to keep up with inflation and rising land costs, though they note this is not enough to fully cover the growing expenses. Recent acquisitions include Rivendale Park & Open Space and a property near Vasquez Canyon and Sierra Highway, with at least four more properties in the process of being purchased in 2026.

  • The Open Space Preservation District program began in 2007.
  • The program is set to expire around 2037.

The players

City of Santa Clarita

The local government entity overseeing the Open Space Preservation District program and acquiring land to create a greenbelt around the Santa Clarita Valley.

Jerrid Mckenna

Director of Administrative Services for the City of Santa Clarita, who emphasized the need to maintain a 'healthy balance' in the program's funding to keep up with inflation and rising land costs.

Laurene Weste

Mayor of Santa Clarita, who has pushed for open space preservation in the city for nearly two decades and credited former state Sen. Scott Wilk for helping secure state funding for the Beale's Cut acquisition.

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What they’re saying

“We need the dollar because we're trying to battle inflation.”

— Jerrid Mckenna, Director of Administrative Services, City of Santa Clarita

“Beales Cut land as a key piece of a wildlife corridor connecting the Santa Susana and San Gabriel mountains, as well as one of the valley's most important historical landmarks.”

— Laurene Weste, Mayor, City of Santa Clarita

What’s next

City officials say the effort to complete the valley's greenbelt remains difficult, as remaining parcels are becoming more limited and expensive. The program is set to expire around 2037, and the city is still analyzing how much additional land and funding is needed to fully realize the vision.

The takeaway

Santa Clarita's open space preservation program has been a long-standing priority for the city, protecting natural habitats, wildlife corridors, and historic landmarks like Beale's Cut. While rising costs and limited remaining parcels pose challenges, the city remains committed to expanding the greenbelt and enhancing the community's quality of life through strategic land acquisitions.