Original Nature Center

Original Nature Center. San Dimas Canyon. , Today's San Dimas Canyon Community Regional Park and Nature Center was the first nature center facility owned by the County of Los Angeles. The park lands were first purchased as a gravel quarry in 1909, known then as the San Dimas Quarry. In 1925, the County converted the lands to form the San Dimas Foothill Park. Through subsequent purchases of additional parcels in 1943, 1949, 1957, and 1959, the park became the 128-acre park property that it is today. , Though exact dates and names pertaining to the parks history are still being researched, it is believed that the historic residence onsite (a small white house that stands today) was originally the residence for the San Dimas water tank operator, Percy Conklin. This wooden home was built around 1930 and served as the first nature center. , The park was renamed the San Dimas Community Regional park in 1949, and the facility underwent renovations and improvements in the 1960s. At various points in time, the nature center was home to species including red foxes, porcupines, deers, raccoons, birds, reptiles, and more. , The current nature center facility broke ground in 1999 and opened in 2000, adjacent to the charming little home that started it all. The home is now listed as a County of Los Angeles Historic Landmark.