PASADENA - Annandale Canyon, one of the city's last remaining wilderness areas saved as public land after a seven-year effort, will be publicly dedicated at 10 a.m. on Thursday near the corner of Weirfield and Carlson drives.

Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena Councilman Steve Madison, Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, and representatives from Supervisor Mike Antonovich's Office and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy will be present to dedicate this new wilderness.

New hiking trails are being planned to make it more accessible for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to access the natural beauty of the arroyo, which has inspired many Pasadena generations and artists. The canyon is home to wildlife, including deer that have settled in a forest now awash in fall colors.

The area was bought in 2001 as a proposed housing development. With the cooperation of developer Jon Head, neighborhood residents, the Linda Vista/Annandale Association, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Los Angeles County and the city of Pasadena, $6.2 million was raised to acquire the property.

The recommended route to the dedication is to drive north on Patrician Way, turn left on Glen Oaks and then left on Wierfield Drive to where signs are posted. For more information call (626) 744-6735.