Mujeres de la Tierra has launched its campaign in

Paradise Hill

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy has partnered up with Mujeres de la Tierra in an unprecedented effort to engage the residents of Lincoln Heights and find innovative ways to preserve, protect and restore the safe green open space known as Paradise Hill.

Through direct action, this alliance will support the building of a healthier and more sustainable community, which will branch out to the many diverse neighborhoods of the greater Los Angeles area.

Wendy Carrillo and Leticia Garcia will be available to the residents of the neighborhood to engage stakeholders in the neighborhood surrounding Paradise Hill.  Our objective will be to listen to their opinions, concerns and dreams for the future of Paradise Hill.

We hope to present the communities' ideas and desires to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy so that they may incorporate the will of local residents in their development plans for this historic open space project.

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Paradise Hill Montecito Heights/Lincoln Heights
See Location
(30 acres)

Located in the foothills of Lincoln Heights adjacent to both El Sereno and Montecito Heights. According to the most recent census, these three communities combined have a population of approximately 100,000. In Lincoln Heights, the ratio of acres of open space per 1000 people is less than 2. This is a very park poor area. For this reason alone, it is worth investigating the preservation of Paradise Hill as open space.

Although the topography of this site may be somewhat limiting for certain activities, there is ample opportunity for passive recreational use. Also, due to its direct proximity to Lincoln High School, there is the possibility of educational usages. Over the years, this hillside has been almost completely denuded of vegetation, making it something of a potential ecological disaster. Visual blight, dysfunctional habitat, erosion and fire are but some of the issues at stake here. While recently exploring the site, however, Jeff Chapman of the Arroyo Seco Foundation was able to locate some remaining pioneer native plant species. These would include Jimson Weed, Narrow Leaf Milkweed, and Stinky Gourd. There are also some remaining stands of Black Walnut and Elderberry found on steeper slopes. Accompanying insects and birds were also observed. Over all, this site has potential for habitat restoration, watershed improvement, educational function, and much needed recreational uses. Attached are some images of Paradise Hill as seen from above, as seen from below, and up close with a specimen of Narrow Leaf Milkweed.

Severley denuded of native vegetation, as a result of fire and brush clearance, Paradise Hill does offer some habitat needs. Some large non-native trees along Sierra St. These trees could provide nesting habitat for large birds, such as common ravens and red-tailed hawks. On central ridge, several Southern California black walnut (Juncas californica var. californica) trees were observed, also Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). Along central road discing, early successional plants were noted. These included narrow-leaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) and cliff-aster (Malacothrix saxatilis var. tenuifolia). Also observed was Calabazilla (Cucurbita foetidissima), a gourd whose root structure allows for survival after fires and clearance. Red-tailed hawks, Botta’s pocket gopher, Western fence lizard, common raven, northern mockingbird, western scrub jay were seen.

Useful Web Sites

• Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy    http://www.smmc.ca.gov                                 

• North East LA Open Space Coalition       http://www.nelaopenspace.org

Paradise Hill

Need More Information?

leticia@mujeresdelatierra.org

wendy@mujeresdelatierra.org