In recent weeks, the California Conservation Corp has been working tirelessly to remove and replace a significant majority of Eaton Canyon’s signs between the Nature Center and the Chuck Ballard Memorial Bridge. The project has already successfully removed random blocks of concrete, sun-bleached signs that were beyond cleaning, and the set of signs by Walnut Canyon that had been an eye-sore for several years. The goal of the project was to help park visitors be better aware of the rules, learn more about the science of the natural area, and learn the proper route to Eaton Canyon Falls. Unfortunately, vandals have already hit the new signs with graffiti before the project can even be completed.
Included in the signage project is a set of new mile marker signs designed to help visitors know their location in the event of an emergency. Each sign has a specific number on them to communicate to authorities where you are. One of these signs placed within Coyote Canyon’s wash had already been pulled out of the ground by vandals.
Eaton Canyon, like many of Southern California’s hiking trails, has had problems with graffiti for years. It costs upwards of $100 per month to keep the the graffiti at bay, and this figure does not include official National Forest Service volunteers cleaning graffiti between the Chuck Ballard Memorial Bridge and the waterfall. With all the new signage in the park, it is likely the monthly cost of graffiti abatement will rise. In early February, a single vandal caused $200 worth of damage to the Eaton Canyon Natural Area. An article on the story was written here.