City eyes future of “The Deuk”
The city is making plans with local community groups for future use of “The Deuk,” nickname for Crescenta Valley’s Deukmejian Wilderness Park.
The park, which was largely destroyed during the Station Fire and heavy rains that followed, has been reopened for some community use as a project to renovate an historic barn on the site continues.
Recreation and parks staff member Joanne Venditto is meeting with the historical society to discuss outdoor events, including campfires and movie programs. The movies will be both historical and entertaining, she said.
Plans are also underway for a grape harvesting program, in keeping with the past use of his site as an early winery. There will also be programs to recognize the Tongva Indians. Indoor programs will follow when the work on the barn is completed.
Jeff Weinstein said use of the hillside trails will be limited for several years. The city is planning to concentrate of drainage and irrigation most immediately, to lessen the likelihood of more severe rains this winter.
Weinstein, the city’s trail guru, said at present about 12 acres of open space around the entrance is available for use. Also open is a portion of the Dunsmore trail leading to a heritage oak tree named in honor of retired assistant city manager Bob McFall, who was instrumental in acquiring the part for the city. Five acres of other trails are open.
Weinstein said the city will look for volunteers to come out the third Saturday of the month for wilderness work days on the remaining trails. The city is also working on plans for a greenhouse of native plans to be used at city parks and possibly offered for sale to the public.

By Charles Cooper

  crescenta valley