Topanga State Park & Will Rogers State Historic Park Recovery Planning

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, State Parks is doubling down on work to protect Californians and our lands from catastrophic wildfire. Read about the first year of recovery and what State Parks is doing to improve wildfire resiliency on the Recovery Journey page.

Now State Parks is starting the process of planning the next steps in recovery for these two special parks.

How will we build back?

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

How can the parks meet the needs of Angelenos today?

Throughout 2026, exploring these questions and more will shape next steps in recovery and building toward a more resilient future.

How To Get Involved

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. Throughout the planning process for the Resilient Recovery Project, there will be several opportunities to participate, 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:

Current Participation Opportunities

Share Your Memories

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.

Share Memories

Stay Connected

Upcoming Participation Opportunities

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Virtual and in-person workshops
Stakeholder meetings
Input opportunities at local events
Online survey

Recovery Planning Process

Timeline item 1 - complete

Phase 1: Initial Post-Fire Response

Following the fires, Angeles District staff worked with partners and the community to mitigate hazards and remove hazardous material, inventory damage, reduce risk of future wildfire, share information about needs and best practices, repair roads and trails, and begin welcoming visitors back to the park.
Timeline item 2 - active

Phase 2: Planning Initiation

To begin planning for long-term recovery, California State Parks has launched a multi-phase planning effort to develop a recovery plan for Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park. This phase includes meetings with individuals and organizations who have a history of involvement with the park and engaging with local California Native American Tribes. The public is invited to share memories and photos from before the fire and share initial thoughts to inform the planning process.
Timeline item 3 - incomplete

Phase 3: Guiding Principles and Recovery Priorities

Based on initial stakeholder conversations, Tribal input, and community feedback at planning events, State Parks will establish guiding principles for recovery and identify priorities for the parks. This phase will involve a variety of activities to gather a wide range of perspectives, priorities, and creative ideas to inform the final recovery principles and the recovery plan.
Timeline item 4 - incomplete

Phase 4: Recovery Plan Development

In this phase, a planning document will be developed that reflects the values of the public, the needs of park staff, and the expertise of planning and Tribal partners. The document will serve as a roadmap for recovery for Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park.