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One of the first things I noticed upon my return from overseas was a sign in the open field behind Malibu Colony, proclaiming the land to be the future site of the Malibu Legacy Park.
Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, Malibu is known for its natural beauty. Yet many areas in Malibu, especially along Pacific Coast Highway, are downright ugly.
Take the area between Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds for example. What appears to formerly be a gas station is a pile of metal debris and garbage. While I’m sure there were many legitimate reasons for tearing down the structure initially, nothing has been done to fill the space with something else.
Cue my excitement regarding the potential Malibu Legacy Park. The open field behind the Colony is only occupied over Labor Day, when the annual Malibu Chili Cook-Off is held. Other than that, the space remains empty.
The field is composed of tall, dry grass and often consists of strewn trash and debris.
Some attempts have been made to beautify other empty patches of land, such as one place where an artistic circular structure fills empty space, and two statues of children sit close by. These efforts, however, are bleak.
The city plans to create a waste and storm water facility in addition to the park according to the Malibu Legacy Park Web site (ci.malibu.ca.us). This will prevent contaminated water from draining into the ocean at Surfrider Beach, City Council member Sharon Barvosky told the Graphic in April.
The lease on the land was finalized March 29 and the 20-acre property was purchased for $25 million. Malibu citizens played a large role in the fundraising process, accumulating nearly $2.5 million with their efforts, according to the Sept. 7th issue of the Graphic.
The Malibu Legacy Park Web site has a link to the park design that includes vegetation, walking trails, a pond with a fountain, a raised walkway and an egret park. There is an access path to the Cross Creek area as well as plans for a linear park next to the county building. Depictions of the waste and storm water facility are also included.
Unfortunately, as the Graphic reported, the estimated date of completion for the project is 2011. While it is exciting to have actual plans, there’s a lot more that needs to be done to beautify our surroundings, and it can be done within the next five years.
One way to begin the beautification process is to get involved with organizations that seek to make Malibu a prettier place. The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit group that does work to clean and maintain Malibu’s oceans and beaches. It hosts coastal clean-up days and raises awareness of earth-related issues.
Other groups associated with Pepperdine seek to beautify Malibu as well. Junior Kalle Akers, the Environmental Stewardship intern in the Intercultural Affairs Office, works to increase general knowledge regarding positive ways in which students can impact the environment.
“It’s not only an obligation as a citizen of the world to be environmentally responsible and conscious,” Akers said, “ but I think it’s specifically part of the Christian vocation.”
Although Malibu needs further beautification, everyone who is lucky enough to live here knows that the city’s beach-side beauty is unmatched. Still, it’s important to remember that because Malibu is such an amazing place, that beauty must be preserved, not wasted or taken for granted.
Submitted 09-21-2006
MALIBU, CA
