By Daily Press staff
The Discovery Channel has captured the essence of the Santa Monica Mountains in a recently released film, which highlights one of Los Angeles’ recreational playgrounds.
The National Park Service, the National Park Foundation and the Discovery Channel, are releasing this week a new “ParkDoc” entitled “Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Mountains, Movies and Magic.” The movie highlights the resources and history of the park. It has been completed in time to coincide with the park’s 25th anniversary.
The Santa Monica Mountains rise above Los Angeles, widen to meet the Santa Monica Bay and reach their highest peaks facing the ocean, forming a multifaceted landscape. The movie explores the landscape and tells the stories of indigenous tribes, wildlife, plant life, controlled wildfire burning, historical structures like the Los Angeles Aqueduct and Paramount Ranch, and the collaborative spirit of federal, state and local park agencies, and landowners that continue to expand the boundaries of the protected land.
The film also features how the natural and cultural treasures are found just a stone’s throw from Hollywood and the busy urban setting of downtown Los Angeles.
“We are very thankful to the National Park Foundation and our friends at Discovery for the gift of this beautiful film celebrating the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area,” said Woody Smeck, superintendent of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “The images and stories will serve to entice new and old visitors to explore this natural oasis within the heart of metropolitan Los Angeles.” COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 17, 2003. Read the original PDF.