Major renovations on the Placerita Canyon Nature Center are almost ready for the public to experience, officials said Monday.

“The inside and outside of the center got a much needed facelift, and design crews are working hard to bring the outdoors inside,” according to Nature Center officials.

There will be three new exhibits, each depicting a different ecosystem, according to Nature Center officials.

The exhibits will include a “Oak Woodland” display, a display depicting “The Slopes of the Chaparral,” and a riparian habitat that will show what the creek that runs through Placerita looks like and what animals go there.

Construction on the outside of the center is now complete, including an observation deck, a new mammal cage, aquarium and viewing scopes, according to Nature Center officials. 

There is also a new flight cage, and improved drainage systems were added to three bigger and better outdoor bird habitats.

The upgrades are expected to help the center’s dedicated volunteer force better serve the thousands of school children who visit the center each month to learn.

“Our exhibits were totally outdated,” said Russell Kimura, LA County regional park superintendent. “We had exhibits that were installed about 40 years ago.”

In January, visitors will get to experience state of the art displays inside the completely renovated interpretive center.

Everything will be high tech, hands on and include indoor trees and taxidermy displays, officials said.

The renovation is funded by a $1 million grant from Proposition 84.

Construction will be complete before the end of the year, and a grand opening celebration is slated to happen in January.

View the video of the new nature center here.

Placerita Canyon

Placerita is an east-west running canyon featuring cool, shaded oak groves, a willow and sycamore-lined seasonal stream and numerous other interesting plant and animal communities. 

The historic “Oak of the Golden Dream” is the site of California’s original gold discovery in 1842. Another landmark is the Walker Cabin, built by Frank Walker in 1920 for his family.

A network of self-guiding nature, history and hiking trails radiates out into the park from the Center, with longer hikes leading to a seasonal waterfall and to the top of the Santa Clarita Divide. Picnicking is available near the Nature Center.

The park encompasses oak woodland, chaparral, and riparian plant communities on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains southeast of the City of Santa Clarita. The park not only serves to conserve a slice of the wild environment but also endeavors to educate the public on the value of undisturbed flora and fauna through wild animal presentations, nature hikes, and self-guided educational trails.

Please feel free to contact the Nature Center at (661) 259-7721, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday (the office is closed on Mondays.)

Placerita Canyon Natural Area is located at 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA, 91321. Click here for a map and directions.