The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider a recommendation from county CEO Fesia Davenport that includes the transfer of approximately 133 acres of county-owned property at 30500 Arrastre Canyon Road in Acton to nonprofit organization Happy Trails for Kids to repurpose it as a foster youth camp.
The board’s proposed action also includes approval of a funding agreement to support improvements at the site, according to a letter to the board from Davenport.
The Acton facility was built in 1934 for use as a Conservation Corps work camp and later used as a tuberculosis isolation facility before beginning operation as county adult residential substance abuse facility. It closed in July 2021 and has been unoccupied since.
The facility previously accommodated up to 309 patients with 149 staff.
“It is an ideal location to repurpose for foster youth camp services given its existing residential cabins and dorms (that have accommodated up to 458 staff and campers), its industrial kitchen space, indoor group rooms, administrative offices, and baseball fields,” the letter said.
The property also contains undeveloped land with potential to expand recreational and educational opportunities in the future.
“The County prioritizes efforts that support the ability of young people to develop to their full potential,” the letter said. “This is especially important for those that are involved in our dependency system. Providing access to summer camp presents a unique opportunity to help support the development of youth who are currently in the foster care system.”
The board will also be asked to approve a proposed 50-year Little League lease to the Sierra Youth Sports Association for a portion of the northernmost part of the property for baseball and softball activities.
The proposed action also asks the board to delegate authority to Davenport or her designee to approve and execute an appropriation adjustment to transfer $3.9 million of county funds for repairs, renovations, and capital improvements on the property. The bulk of the funding, $2.4 million, would come from Various Public Health Centers Refurbishment (Capital Project No. 87426) with $1.5 million from the Department of Public Health Services and Supplies budget, offset with 2011 Realignment-Nondrug Medi-Cal Substance Abuse Treatment Services revenue, the letter said.
Another $75,000 would be transferred from Various Public Health Centers Refurbishment to the board’s Services and Supplies Social Program Agreement with Happy Trails for Kids for capital improvement of the campus.
Proposed improvements at the site include replacement of the defunct wastewater treatment system destroyed by a lightning strike and fire; minor interior renovation and repair of existing structures to accommodate the camp’s immediate needs; and revitalization of existing playing fields.
Other improvements include building spaces for outdoor recreation in previously disturbed areas of the site, including a new rock-climbing wall, archery field and ropes course, the letter said.
Happy Trails for Kids plans to lease the property to Pali Institute Inc., an outdoor education benefit corporation, and contract with Pali Ranch LLC to manage, maintain and operate the property year-round.
The northernmost portion of the property has been used by the Little League pursuant to a license approved by the board on Jan. 7, 2003, the letter said.
Under this license, the Little League has provided programs for baseball and softball leagues along with tournaments to the local Acton community. The proposed Little League Lease with the Little League would allow the community to continue its youth programming according to and at the level of usage included in the previous license, encouraging team building and health through an active lifestyle.
The board is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in board hearing room 381B at Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple St. in downtown Los Angeles.
To participate by phone, call 877-692-8955. Use participant code 4433663. To listen by telephone only, call 877-873-8017, use Access Code 111111 for English and 222222 for Spanish.
The proposed agreement is item No. 16 under administrative matters on the agenda.
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