3rd Graders Learn the Wonders of Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

Four classrooms of 3rd graders from visited the for an interpretive program sponsored by the Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains.

The Thursday program was made possible through financial assistance from the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council.

Sixteen volunteers told the 76 children about the history of the area.

The children learned about:

• The Chumash and Native Americans
• Early Spanish/European Settlers
• The Stagecoach Route, known as “Devils Slide”
• The Quarry
• The Railroad
• The Chatsworth Rock Formation

Some children had a chance to sit in a model stagecoach seat that was created by using original measurements from an old-time stage.

The volunteers talked about native plants, wildlife, fires, birds, keeping the park clean, and using one's eyes, ears, nose and touch to explore this special historic place.

The children met several “herps,” or herpetologists—people who study reptiles and amphibians. And, volunteers showed the children a small cave that is part of an interesting rock formation.

Visitors can access  at the 10200 block of Larwin Avenue. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and no fee is required to enter.

For more details see:

• State Park Web Page: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=611
• Local hike pages including the Park’s nature walks: http://www.ssmpa.com/Hiking_in_Local_Area.html

—Elizabeth Harris, Ph.D.

Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains
Santa Susana Mountain Park Association