State parks: Elephant Hill: City of Los Angeles.

Assembly Member Caloza's proposal to incorporate Elephant Hill into California's state park system would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to lease the El Sereno property through agreements with the City of Los Angeles and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

The legislation establishes a three-phase process for integrating Elephant Hill into the state park system. After executing lease agreements with local partners, the State Park and Recreation Commission would classify the property as a state park unit. The Department would then develop a general plan to guide the property's management and use, following standard procedures for state park planning. The bill's findings indicate that Elephant Hill's unique circumstances require specific statutory authority beyond existing general provisions for park acquisitions.

The measure creates a collaborative management framework between state and local entities without requiring new appropriations, utilizing existing departmental resources and funding mechanisms. While maintaining state oversight through the Department of Parks and Recreation, the proposed lease structure allows for continued involvement of both the City of Los Angeles and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in Elephant Hill's operations.