CORRIGANVILLE PARK GIVEN GRANTS; FUNDS TO GO TOWARD RESTORING, MAINTAINING NATURE TRAILS.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

Corriganville Park has been awarded a $21,745 grant to restore a 2-mile loop of trails that will link hikers with some of the area's most popular walkways.

The National Recreational Trails Act matching grant administered through the state Department of Parks and Recreation is considered another important step in the restoration of the 225-acre park that officially reopened Saturday.

The city has awarded a $2,500 block grant to the Rancho Simi Trailblazers to develop a Volunteer Trail Safety Service program for Corriganville Park, the former site of an Old West theme park.

``It's exciting. Things are now beginning to come together. The trail development is the next thing we need to be doing,'' said City Councilman Paul Miller. ``I think once people know what's there they'll plan to visit it many times because it offers so much. It's the gateway to the hills and mountains around Simi Valley.''

Michael Kuhn, vice chair of the Trailblazers organization, said the two grants will complement each other.

``We're very pleased. The grants will enhance the park's use and make it safer. It will help keep people on the trails,'' he said.

Kuhn said Trailblazers would train volunteers to provide safety tips and information for park visitors.

``We'll primarily maintain a weekend presence,'' he said. ``But a lot has to be worked out, depending on the number of volunteers we have.''

The federal grant will require the city and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, which co-owns the park with the Rancho Simi Open Space Conservation Agency, to match the amount, for a total of $43,490.

The grant was one of nine awards totaling $332,000 that were given to park districts throughout the state by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, according to Odel King, manager of the planning and local services section.

The criteria used for considering the 31 proposals received by the state agency included the size of the population served; environmental impact; and the historic, geographic and scenic significance of the site, he said.

Corriganville Park is well-known for its rock formations and the many films and television shows shot there after Hollywood stuntman Ray ``Crash'' Corrigan bought the property in 1937.

``It's not a matter of funding good projects and not funding bad projects. We see a bunch of good projects,'' King said. ``You have to evaluate them closely. And you fund the best ones you can.''

The 2-mile loop, which will be cleared and appointed with mileage markers and information signs, will provide a gateway to trails such as the Arroyo, Hummingbird and Chumash.

James Meredith, chairman of the Open Space Conservation Agency, said the refurbished trails will likely draw more visitors to the park, which was purchased 10 years ago.

``I think it will enhance everything. And the more exposure it gets, the more it's going to be used. It's going to be great,'' he said. ``I'm thrilled.''