(Editor’s note: The simple facts: the Palisades Recreation Center 40-year-old playground is not ADA compliant. Although Palisades residents are among the highest taxpayers in Los Angeles, it appears the only way a playground will be replaced if 1) someone, who needs an ADA-compliant structure sues the city; 2) Palisades is annexed to Malibu; or 3) residents raise a million dollars to replace it.)
This is Palisades Playground, which is 40-years-old, and not ADA Compliant. It also still has sand and no shade structures.
The facts are simple the playground at the Palisades Recreation Center is not ADA handicapped accessible. It still has sand, which should be cleaned daily, but is not. There is no shade on the playground that is now close to 40 years old.
It is out of compliance by California standards. California Assembly Bill, 1055, required all playgrounds installed between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1999, be updated by January 2000.
The Palisades Rec Center playground was not updated, because it was installed in 1986,when resident Steve Soborff raised the money. Then, he was quoted as saying “When people pack lunch boxes to go to Palisades Park with their kids, they take sandwiches and Band-Aids.” He described the equipment as dangerous. He solicited money from residents and got 250 people to donate, and the playground was upgraded.
Former General Manager of the Department of Rec and Parks Michael Shull told commissioners in 2014: “Ideally, playgrounds should be replaced every 15 years. We’re constantly trying to replace them and do about 25 to 30 playgrounds every year.”
Somehow Palisades was not on the list.
At the July 2024 Palisades Park Advisory meeting the playground came up again, but it appears to be contingent on Venice receiving a new playground. And then maybe, according to the Councilmember’s District Director Juan Fregoso. …Palisades will get one at the same time, because as one PAB board member said they were told “not to delay, the momentum was there.” The member was told “We should move, ‘strike while the iron is hot.’”
There were three options given to Palisades residents, and it appears most like the color blue, because that was the top choice. The different apparatuses were not closely examined, nor were the appropriate ages for the pictured equipment given.
The PAB sent a letter to L.A. Rec and Parks, writing “PAB, in conjunction with the outreach efforts of PPCC, has solicited community input for the suggested playground design schemes and relayed to L.A. City Rec and Parks that it was observed a community preference for the first choice of playground schematics, with the blue and green color theme.” The letter also expressed a need for shade and clear visibility layout so children could be easily monitored
CTN reached out to Councilmember Traci Parks office to ask why the 40-year playground would be contingent on Venice receiving a playground and a timeline.
Spokesperson Jonathan Davila responded, “We will defer to the Recreation and Parks Department (RAP) on the timeline. Additionally, there have been no resources allocated as of now.”
He said that because RAP has limited resources and that Venice had priority because it has high usage because it is a global destination. CTN asked about the age of the Venice playground and if it were ADA accessible. He did not respond in time for story, which will be updated.
Davila said that Palisades community members said the priority for the Palisades Recreation center were ADA bathrooms and cameras; that the playground was third on the list of priorities.
Regarding the design that several in the community questioned, CTN asked if they City had a “deal” with a playground maker that allowed them to purchase several sets of equipment and save money. Davila said, “This is the initial design. We will collaborate with RAP and the contractor to develop an updated, comprehensive design for the community. This will be part of the next step in the process.”
Forty years and counting . . ..
(CTN sent a follow-up note to the City asking how old the Venice playground was and if it were handicapped accessible and how is a global destination determined. When I have a response I’ll update the story.)
Maybe Traci Park should consider a motion to City Council to reallocate a small portion of the millions of $’s of funds that are being “wasted” – I mean directed to the Homeless Industry for a new Playground AND a Dog Park that will actually benefit the community.
This seems nuts to have a 40 year old non- compliant play structure and be bound to Venice?
Could we do a community go fund account and will the cilCty Parks and Recs allow the old structure to be removed ( new installed) if the neighborhood community raises enough funding??
The playground in Pacific Palisades is the most unimaginative uncreative children’s playground in the Palisades area. The three little climbing areas are exactly alike! It was not like this in the 1990’s. Cheviot Hills Recreation Center has some exciting and challenging structures so this is clearly not a safety issue – just a lack of imagination or perhaps a money issue.