Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, California
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Benedict Canyon is an area between Sherman Oaks and Beverly Hills in the city of Los Angeles, California. Harold Lloyd's estate, Greenacres, once occupied most of its prime land. In the 1970s its grounds were subdivided.
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[edit] Geography and history
The Canyon is a ravine in the Hollywood Hills that drops in a north to south direction from its high point at the crestline of the Santa Monica Mountains on Mulholland Drive, and ends near the junction of Sunset Boulevard - where the famous Beverly Hills Hotel is located. Parallel and to the east of the Canyon are its two sisters, Franklin and Coldwater Canyons. Rainwater percolating over the ancient strata of all three canyons emerges at their lowest altitude as the springs feeding Franklin's Lake and Creek. A cross-section of the land reveals granite, of volcanic origin, layered between worn river rocks and ocean bottom mud.
Benedict Canyon was a part of Rancho de las Aguas ("Ranch of the Waters"), which also included present-day Beverly Hills. It was named by Edson A, Benedict, a storekeeper and native of Boonville, Missouri, who took a homestead in the Canyon in 1868. With help from his wife and sons, E. A. Benedict built an apiary that was so bountiful that in one year, they were reported to have made a single shipment of 45,000 pounds of honey from Santa Monica Pier! One of Mr. Benedict's sons, Pierce E. Benedict, later went on to be elected to the city of Beverly Hills Board of Trustees at the time of its incorporation.
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[edit] Demographics
Benedict Canyon residents are typically married couples in the peak of their careers. Almost half of the population is between the ages of 35 and 64; median age is 43 years. Most households are empty nesters, although many include older kids in College. Statistical records show the population here to be predominantly white, highly educated, and working in executive and professional positions.
Homes are predominantly single-family and owner-occupied, and have 2 or more bedrooms. Median year built is 1960, and sales prices range from middle-class affordable, to high-end luxury.
[edit] Vegetation and plants
Benedict Canyon has a mix of vegetation and growth that is peculiar to Southern California - oaks and grasses on the lower slopes, and chaparral and lupine on the higher hillsides. Along nearby Franklin's Creek can be found sycamores, ferns and vines. Evergreens, such as pines, cypresses, deodars and eucalyptus, were planted as settlers moved in, and built homes and parks. Vegetation types within the Santa Monica Mountains range from moist coastal canyon bottoms in the Santa Monica Mountains, to desert transitional areas at the headwaters of the Santa Clara River. With the exception of the areas that border the Mojave Desert, all of the vegetation within the zone is influenced by the effects of the Pacific Ocean. The resulting cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers create a Mediterranean-type ecosystem. By far, the dominant vegetation sub-type is chaparral. Chaparral is composed of drought and fire tolerant evergreen shrubs that range in height from four to ten feet. Unless recently subjected to fire, or some other type of disturbance, this plant community is generally too dense to penetrate. Another unique shrub community to Southern California is sage scrub, which varies between coastal and inland types. Sage scrub vegetation contains fewer stout, woody shrubs, and more openings with fine, delicate plants. The expansive valley floors between the mountain ranges were plowed and farmed long ago. They are now entirely developed. The precise former native plant cover of the San Fernando, Simi and Santa Clarita Valleys was never adequately recorded. It is suspected that native perennial bunch grasses were dominant elements. Throughout the zone, over ninety-five percent of the native grasslands have been displaced by foreign invasive plants. The most common riparian (stream-related) woodland species are various willows, coast live oak, California sycamore, and Fremont's cottonwood. Less common species that are relics of the last Ice Age include white alder, bigleaf maple, and black cottonwood. On slopes, and in valleys where rainfall concentrates, groves of evergreen coast live oaks are common throughout Benedict Canyon. These evergreen oaks provide food and shelter for numerous species of wildlife. Deeper soiled areas in the Santa Susana Mountains, the Simi Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains support the deciduous valley oak. A widely dispersed tree in the Santa Monica Mountains, and to a lesser extent in other ranges, is the California black walnut.
[edit] Wildlife
The animal population is pretty much the same as it was 10,000 years ago, with the exception of bears which were killed off by early Mexican and Spanish settlers. The most common medium and large-sized mammals are coyotes, mule deer, bobcats, raccoons, and skunks. Just away from the urban edge, other predators, such as grey fox, mountain lion, American badger, long-tailed weasel, and ringtailed cat, occupy various niches. The ecosystem's top predator, the mountain lion, is present everywhere except the fragmented eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains that bisects the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Because they fear humans, however, they are rarely seen. and several species of birds, rodents and reptiles. Numerous prey species—such as rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, and other rodent species. Seven species of hawks, eight species of owls, peregrine falcons, golden eagles, northern harriers, American kestrels, and white-tailed kite share in this bounty of prey. Benedict Canyon is also part of the Pacific Flyway. As a result, the resident Southern California bird species often share company with neo-tropical migrants and other unique species, such as Canadian geese. There are over eighteen species of snakes and eight species of lizards. The most common snakes are pacific rattlesnake, gopher snake, California king snake, and California striped racer. The rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in California. They seek shade during the hottest summer afternoons and hibernate during the winter. The zone supports five species of frogs, three species of toads, and five species of newts and salamanders. As in most parts of the world, frog populations have declined, probably due to climate change and pollution. The widely scattered perennial streams still support unique populations of native fish. Topanga and Malibu Creeks contain tidewater gobies, arroyo chub, and the federally-listed endangered, southern steelhead trout. The Santa Clara River supports these species as well as the federally-listed endangered, unarmored three spine stickleback. Some of the upper reaches of the Los Angeles River at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains harbor populations of the Santa Ana sucker and speckled dace.
[edit] Community
Residents in the Canyon have a strong sense of community. The Benedict Canyon Association (BCA), started in 1948, is a prime example of successful neighborhood activism. The BCA is dedicated to preserving the beauty, safety, environment and quality of life in the Canyon. Because of their early efforts, Benedict Canyon remains the only Canyon that is 100% residential.
The Hillside Ordinance limiting building height to 36 feet, and stipulating restrictions on set-back, side yards and parking, was a product of Association lobbying and participation. That Ordinance was also the basis of the recent defeat of the proposed Villa on top of the Mark Hughes hilltop, an event cheered by many residents.
Current and past beautification projects of the Association include the repair and repaving of roads, repainting of guardrails, repair of Upper Benedict Canyon, and a subsidized monthly service of clearing debris, and trimming vegetation that spills on the roadway.
"Adopt Fire Station 99" is another community grass roots organization representing about 9000 residents in the Mulholland-Benedict Canyon area. Going hand-in-hand with the BCA, residents helped to generate the media attention, popular support, and political will that defeated the city's plan to reduce from 2 to 1 the number of paramedics available at each Fire Station to deliver emergency care.
[edit] Parks
Just a short drive away, literally minutes, residents and their families can get away from it all at Franklin Canyon Park. This idyllic park is about 605 acres, and is home to the NATURE CENTER with a three acre duck pond, lake and picnic area, hiking trails, and outdoor educational programs (the William O. Douglas Outdoor classroom, or "WODOC") that serves local school children and visitors.
Another nearby oasis is Coldwater Canyon Park, home of TreePeople, a non-profit environmental organization founded by Andy Lipkis. The Park is part of a 1,000 acre cross-mountain preserve, and has an active ecological educational mission. There are Tree Care Workshops, a tree nursery, "Green Series" of environmental lectures, numerous trails, and Full Moon guided tours. Hikers, picnickers, and dogs on leashes are all welcome! For a taste of culture in the outdoors, there is the "Once Upon a Canyon Night" play readings and music series
[edit] Fire danger
Bottlenecks on the neighborhood's narrow canyon roads are a primary concern, officials said. As part of the plan, the Department of Transportation will tow away cars that are parked illegally on narrow hillside streets on "red flag days," when fire danger is high. When fire conditions reach the critical red flag level — 25-mph wind and relative humidity below 15% — illegally parked vehicles that restrict access will be ticketed and towed. Fire departments will notify residents by raising red flags over the 103 fire stations in Los Angeles. Last year, there were about a dozen red flag days, officials said.Fire officials said that both the foliage and the lack of recent fires in the area are cause for concern, not comfort, noting the Oakland Hills fire of October 1991 that killed 25 and destroyed almost 3,000 residences under similar conditions.
On Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 11:12 AM, forty-five Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, eight LAFD Rescue Ambulances, two Arson Units, two Rehab Units, five LAFD Helicopters, one EMS Battalion Captain, seven Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, one Division Chief Officer Command Team, a compliment of other LAFD support companies, four Los Angeles County Camp Crews, and two Los Angeles County Helicopters all under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard E. Markota responded to a Brush Fire at Rimmele Dr and Benedict Canyon Dr. in Beverly Glen. LAFD Dispatchers received multiple calls stating that a brush fire was threatening structures in the Benedict Canyon area of the City. A full "Brush Assignment" was dispatched in anticipation of the impending blaze. While enroute, responding fire companies spotted a large column of smoke rising from the canyon. Additional Firefighting resources, including additional air support, were requested and dispatched before the first Companies arrived on scene.Firefighters were immediately confronted with approximately one acre of heavy brush burning downhill towards several expensive homes. Structure protection groups were immediately formed and placed strategically to prevent the loss of homes within the canyon. Firefighters, accompanied by water dropping helicopters, aggressively attacked the fire in an effort to slow the spread and gain control of the blaze.It took more than 250 Firefighters and six water dropping helicopters over six hours to completely contain and extinguish the fire. Due to the aggressive dispatch of additional resources and an enormous effort by Firefighters, only one structure received minor damage during this 30 acre fire.During firefighting operations, one L.A. County Camp Crew Firefighter succumbed to the effects of the strenuous firefighting operation and was transported to St. Johns Hospital Medical Center for evaluation of heat related exhaustion.In addition, during the final phase of the firefighting operation, one Los Angeles City Firefighter was injured when a 1 inch firefighting hose line burst, striking the Firefighter in the back of the neck,knocking him to the ground. The Firefighter suffering from neck and back injuries was airlifted, due to being in an inaccessible location, to UCLA Medical Center for treatment. Fortunately, neither injury was considered to be life threatening.Fire officials credited a homeowner in the burn area for clearing the brush from 200 feet from the property to prevent the fire from reaching their own home and keep it from spreading to more homes. The Benedict Canyon Fire was caused by a brush clearance van when the heat from the exhaust pipe ignited grass on Rimmele Dr. Thank god it wasn't during the Santa Ana winds.
[edit] Weather information
Benedict Canyon Weather Station Provides real time live weather conditions live from Benedict Canyon.click here to view current weather conditions
[edit] Emergency services
[edit] Police service
Los Angeles Police Department operates the West Los Angeles Community Police Station at 1663 Butler Avenue, 99025, serving the neighborhood.[1]
[edit] Fire/EMS
Los Angeles City Fire Department serves the area of Benedict Canyon. Fire Station 71 and Fire Station 99 serve the Benedict Canyon Area.
[edit] Education
Residents are assigned to schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District
[edit] References
- ^ West LA Community Police Station. Los Angeles Police Department. Retrieved on 2008-01-09.
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