Topanga State Park & Will Rogers State Historic Park Recovery Planning

A Message from the Superintendent

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

Map of Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park boundaries and the Palisades Fire of 2025 boundary along the Pacific Coast in the Santa Monica National Recreation Area — In January 2025, the Palisades Fire burned 8,192 acres in Topanga State Park and 189 acres in 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 working to build long-term resilience to catastrophic wildfire. After the initial response to manage the fire, California 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 California State Parks is repairing the parks so they can safety reopen and resume operations, a longer-term recovery planning process is starting.

Timeline Graphic including Initial Stabilization, Recovery Planning Process, Facility Design, and Construction, with callouts for the Palisades Fire at the beginning and the reopening of the parks after stabilization, and ongoing maintenance and trails re — For more information about the planning process, please see sidebar on desktop or scroll down on mobile/tablet.

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 build back?

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 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. 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:

Current Participation Opportunities

Stay Connected

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

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.