City officials celebrate unveiling of new trailhead
Taylor Open Space is accessible by foot, bike or horse
Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste celebrated the city’s three-decade-long dedication to its parks and recreation programs with a ribbon cutting Thursday for the new Taylor Trailhead.
Since incorporation in 1987, the city has continually worked to expand not only the greenbelt around the city, but also the more than 9,500 acres of open space within city limits.
“The Taylor open space is part of this ongoing effort,” Weste said during her remarks at the trailhead. “In 2014, we successfully acquired this area and saved it from becoming a development of 85 homes. This move was a victory for us.”
Once a dirt lot, the trailhead now features parking spaces, signage, fencing and access control gates providing visitors with an easy access point to explore the Taylor open space through the Taylor Trail.
The Taylor Trail is a multi-use trail, which means it is accessible by foot, bike or horse, and several horseback riders were on hand to enjoy the route after the ribbon was cut. The trail was recently expanded by 1.7 miles, now offering 3.4 miles of moderate hiking and connectivity to trails in Towsley Canyon, according to Santa Clarita officials.
City officials also noted that additional trails are being cleared to connect to the Rivendale Trailhead, eventually creating a 3-mile loop that will connect to five miles of trails in Towsley Canyon.