Background

The City of Malibu owns five community lands totaling over 61 acres. To ensure the future of these community lands aligns with the community’s priorities, the City completed a comprehensive outreach and engagement program from March through September 2024 to gather feedback on what the community envisions for the future of each land.

Timeline & Updates

Collected broad community feedback for all five lands on potential uses and facilities through community meetings, pop-up events, surveys, and online feedback.

City gathered more detailed input on the top ten categories, asking residents to identify where they would like these specific amenities amongst the five lands.

On October 28, 2024, the City Council set direction for staff:

  • Heathercliff & Ioki Lot: Evaluate options for sports fields as well as a multigenerational community center, including a pool, gymnasium, and senior center.
  • Parcel C at Cross Creek Ranch (La Paz) Lot: Work with the Cross Creek Ranch developers to create a conceptual plan for a performing arts center.
  • Triangle & Trancas Lots: No direction provided.

Activity suspended due to the Franklin and Palisades Fires response and recovery.

On October 28, 2025, the Malibu Arts Commission received new community feedback on programming options and approved a motion for a Performing Arts Center Ad Hoc Committee to work with the Cross Creek Ranch team through December.

On November 10, 2025, the City Council approved an agreement with Frederick Fisher and Partners to develop a master plan and concept design for a recreation center at the Heathercliff lot.

On Monday, January 26, the City Council reviewed the latest status and progress on all five Malibu Community Lands and provided updated direction for the following lands:

  • Ioki Lot: Directed staff to work with the Use of Public Parks and Property Ad Hoc Committee to bring back a plan for temporary sports fields, specifically including soccer fields.
  • Heathercliff Lot: Directed staff and the Use of Public Parks and Property Ad Hoc Committee to continue working on the Heathercliff project design.
  • Parcel C at Cross Creek Ranch (La Paz) Lot: Directed staff to suspend work on the land.
  • All lands: Directed staff to work with the Use of Public Parks and Property Ad Hoc Committee to explore options for a native plant nursery/potential communal garden with the Santa Monica Mountains Fund.