The City of Santa Clarita celebrated a milestone, becoming 36 years old as of December 15, as declared by City Manager Ken Striplin in a recent blog post. The city that began its journey in 1987 as a 39-square-mile area with 130,000 residents has now more than doubled in size, expanding to over 73 square miles and accommodating a population that exceeds 230,000. A reflection of its growth and evolution, Santa Clarita continues to offer the charm of a small town paired with the conveniences typically found in a larger metropolitan area.
According to a blog post by Striplin, Santa Clarita now boasts 37 parks, a substantial increase from the "handful of parks" it had when the city was in its infancy. The city, which prides itself on safety and quality of life, has been placed high on several national rankings, such as being named the 4th Safest City in America and receiving accolades for its business environment and livability. This year, the city's budget surpassed $300 million, a tenfold increase from its inaugural budget in 1988. Santa Clarita has also made significant strides in addressing homelessness, with a new shelter project funded partly by the city's own contributions.
Among the achievements in the past year, Santa Clarita saw the return of its landmark Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival and the expansion of recreation spaces, including an inclusive play area at West Creek Park and new features at Central Park. The city's commitment to the strategic plan, Santa Clarita 2025, promises more projects such as Skyline Ranch Park and the new Valencia Community Center on the horizon. Residents are encouraged to view the full plan, which outlines the upcoming developments scheduled for the 37th year of cityhood.
The City Manager has not shied away from expressing pride in Santa Clarita's achievements over the years, attributing much of the success to the city council's leadership. He added, "We will continue to provide our residents with top-notch customer service and high-quality City resources." As Santa Clarita steps into its 37th year, plans for the future seem to be in full swing, with a focus on enhancing the quality of life for its citizens while maintaining the balance of growth and community values. For a comprehensive list of the city's strategic objectives and developments for the upcoming year, the city manager encourages residents to visit the city's official website.
Full details on Santa Clarita's accomplishments and plans for the future can be found on the city's blog.
