The Pasadena Star News today reported that the inclusion of plans for a parking structure and access road in the mostly-unimproved Hahamongna Watershed Park was simply an error:

After more protests at a meeting last week, city staff Tuesday night told residents at a meeting of the city’s Environmental Advisory Committee that the inclusion of the garage and road in the new plan was an oversight and would be fixed. “The roadway will be removed from the plan’s addendum,” said Theresa Fuentes, of the City Attorney’s Office. “The plan will be edited for removal of the parking garage.”

Well, I’m glad to hear it. Hahmongna is a city treasure, and, even more, a local gem. Can you think of many other locations within a few minutes’ drive where you can get completely lost in nature? There aren’t many in Southern California.

Next time I’m up there, maybe I’ll take the video camera and post some video. It’s truly that beautiful.

I only have a few things to say about this. First, I know funds are tight, and there are a lot of mass transit projects that need funding in Southern California. Second, it has taken years for the current Gold Line to reach the capacity that they were expecting/needing to generate expected revenue. But third, when the 210 Freeway extension was completed from San Dimas to Rancho Cucamonga, the entire 210 Freeway took a hit, and now I can’t stand to drive it. There is no longer a “rush hour” — it’s just a 24-hour traffic jam on the 210. So I would take the Gold Line Extension to the Inland Empire in a heartbeat if it was there. I’m just saying.

Come on, guys. Let’s save the planet. And soon.