Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Nature Abused

Destination: Chatsworth Park North
Cost: Gas only

Today I ventured out to the site of childhood Girl Scout picnics and high school outings – Chatsworth Park North. I remember climbing rocks here without a care for rattlesnakes and mountain lions. No chance of that now – there are warning signs posted everywhere.


The park is much smaller than in my memories. Isn't that always the way with places from our past? It’s fenced off on all sides – when the Metrolink train thundered by, I realized why. A breeze shimmered through the beautiful old oaks – the ones from my youth that will be here after I’m gone.

I find this park somewhat unsettling. This wonderful resource has been abused by inconsiderate visitors – there’s broken glass and trash covering whatever short trails can be found  Graffiti mars the rocks, the trees, the ground,  the buildings. So sad.  The nearby Chatsworth Park South has been closed since 2008, when lead contamination was found – left behind by shotgun pellets from a skeet shooting range that Roy Rogers owned in the 1950’s and 60’s.

I spent a few minutes beneath the sheltering oak trees and then moved on.

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