The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation debuted its first new signage and mapping project at the 945-acre Vasquez Rocks Natural Area on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

The nearly four-year project included a new trail wayfinding network that adapted some user-created paths into safe, formal trails. The new navigation signs include welcome and trailhead kiosks, trail intersection maps, directional and mileage trail markers, updated paper maps with QR codes and updated L.A. County Trails App alignments.

The interpretive signs include detailed photos/illustrations about unique animal and plant life, Indigenous culture (the Tataviam Village of Mapipinga), ecology, geology, and history.

The new signage program at Vasquez Rocks is a pilot sign program for all L.A. County Natural Areas and features comprehensive improvements for trails navigation; natural, cultural and indigenous park features; and digital links.

The celebration of the new signage program included speakers Norma E. García-González, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation; Rudy Ortega Jr., president of the Fernandeño-Tataviam Band of Mission Indians; Sarah Brewer, superintendent Vasquez Rocks Natural Area; and Kim Bosell, L.A. County Natural Areas Administrator.

Following the ceremony there were guided hikes, refreshments, an exhibit fair including a wildlife exhibit from the Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates, and entertainment by Western balladeer and Vasquez Rocks volunteer Michael Tcherkassky.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area is located at 10700 West Escondido Road, Agua Dulce, CA 91390.