California State Parks celebrates all the ways in which park neighbors, partners, and the broader public want to get involved in the recovery of Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park. There will be several opportunities to participate throughout the recovery planning process, including taking part in online and in-person events and surveys. California State Parks will work intentionally and creatively to reduce barriers to participation for groups that are less likely to be represented in the planning process. This website will continue to be updated with project updates including opportunities to be involved in the project.

Here’s how you can get involved today and into the future:

Attend a public workshop to learn about and share feedback on recovery planning for Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park. Your input is important as we develop guiding principles and priorities for the future of the parks. Spanish interpreters will be available at the workshops.

In-Person Workshop

Tuesday, Nov. 17
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Roosevelt Elementary School, 801 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Please register for the in-person workshop via Eventbrite.

The project team will be available at poster stations for the first part of the workshop to provide information and answer questions about the recovery planning efforts and process. Attendees will then have an opportunity to share ideas and priorities for the recovery plan during small group activities.

Virtual Workshop

Wednesday, Nov. 18
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zoom link will be posted here a few days before the workshop.

The virtual workshop will cover the same material as the in-person workshop. Attendees will receive information about the recovery planning efforts and process via a presentation and have an opportunity to share ideas and priorities for the recovery plan during small group activities.

Your memories are a vital part of shaping what comes next. Share special moments and everyday beauty in Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park before the fire on the Share Memories page.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

• Input opportunities at local events
• Online survey

Welcome to the Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park recovery planning website.

We know how important these parks are to the community. They are more than public lands — they are places of connection, history, and natural beauty.

Our recovery work is focused on restoring access safely, protecting sensitive resources, and fostering long-term resilience. We are committed to a transparent planning process that includes community input at every stage. Thank you for being part of this effort and helping shape the future of these parks.

- Richard Fink II, Angeles District Superintendent

Over 8,000 acres in Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Santa Monica Mountains burned during the Palisades Fire in January 2025.

Following the January 2025 firestorms, California State Parks is working to build long-term resilience to catastrophic wildfires. After the initial response to manage the fire, State Parks took action to stabilize park resources. Read about the first year of recovery and what State Parks is doing to improve wildfire resiliency on the Recovery Journey page. While State Parks is repairing the parks as they safely reopen and resume operations, a longer-term recovery planning process is starting.

California State Parks is planning the next steps in recovery for these two special parks by conducting a public engagement process and developing guiding principles and priorities for the future of the parks. The people who love, use and manage the parks are asking:

How will we move forward?

How do we honor the historic legacy of Will Rogers and the precious parkland of Topanga State Park?

How can the parks meet the needs of Angelenos and all Californians today?

Exploring these questions and more will shape next steps in recovery and building toward a more resilient future.