Rec and Parks Is Not Listening to Palisades Community

Temescal Canyon Park was suggested as a place to put a temporary building that would house RAP offices and a temporary library.

Los Angeles Rec and Parks (RAP) is not listening to the voices of Pacific Palisades residents nor its Palisades Advisory Board (PAB)).

When it was announced a portable building would be placed by the park entrance on the grass, taking away what little green space was left at the park after the fire, residents asked why?

RAP, under General Manager Jimmy Kim then announced the 60’ by 60’ building would go on tennis courts 7 & 8, which are off Frontera and next to George Wolfberg Park. Residents were told this portable building would be a temporary library. It was only when pressed did one discover the building would be half library and half  RAP offices.

For the last three months, community members, parents of tennis players and Palisades High School tennis team have begged Kim not to take away tennis courts. Palisades High School tennis team has used those courts since the school was built.

For the third month in a row, more than 80 people participated in the PAB Zoom meeting last night, October 22. Participants once again urged RAP to find a different option.

PAB Member Bob Benton told people that the board had never suggested that a building should go on tennis courts and the board disagreed with RAP’s decision.

PAB member CJ Laffer asked Kim, “Were there any other sites considered? What is the criteria? Who is making the decision?”

His concerns were echoed by PAB member Kambiz Kamdar, who asked, “Who is leading the charge of making the decision?”

Kim said it was a collaborative effort, but the building had to go on city property. Temescal Canyon Park is city property, as is the space off Sunset (by the Chase building), which was a public parking site. The library parking lot was also suggested.

Public comments were taken and one of United States top female athletes, Pam Shriver, a former professional tennis player (ranked as high as number 3 in the world in singles and number 2 in doubles) spoke during the meeting. “This is about finding solutions. We need a different area for library because our kids need recreational areas and opportunities. We don’t need a library on 25 percent of the tennis courts.”

Comments continued with Farnaz, who said, “I’m Zoey’s mom. These kids grew up on these courts. Losing them would mean we would need to find another place to play and practice.”

As Michelle pointed out, “we have lots of public libraries, but there are not a lot of public courts to play on.”

High school player Remy said, “Now you’re taking away even more, after we lost so much in the fire. It is so unfair. There are so many places a library could go.”

Parent Erika, who supported keeping courts 7 & 8 for the high school team to use said, “There are other solutions, and we’re committed to finding them. I am a little worried about the lack of transparency.”

Shelley said, “We need to go on record about transparency. We have to put kids first. Whatever we had before the fire has to stay.”

Kevin said, “If there’s not a court to play, I feel bad. These courts are not just for the kids but for the community.”

Brentwood resident Carolyn Jordan supported the community. “I had my lessons, and my children had their lessons here. There are so many vacant lots in the Palisades a library could go on.”

One smart PaliHi student, Zach asked, “What if when Pali opens, the school library could be used?” PaliHi students return to the Palisades campus in January.

PAB member Kambiz Kamdar said, “it should not be a question of a library or tennis courts. None of our conversations with RAB have been taken into consideration.”

PAB member Rob Weber told residents, “You are preaching to the choir. The park should be for recreation. We need the city to be a little more creative.

“We’re with you community,” he said. “We need to take the temperature of this meeting and take it to the City.”

The board passed a motion to send a statement to the City that tennis courts 7 & 8 should not be used as a site for temporary building.

Also at the meeting it was announced that the Rec Basketball League would be played at Palisades High School https://www.laparks.org/reccenter/palisades and registration opens November 6.

Regarding the new playground, two options were offered to replace the first-responder theme. One was just to replace the panels with a different them. For example, the structure that looks like a firetruck would become a “VW” bus. A second option would replace the panels but also offer a climbing option. Rec and Parks wanted input.

The playground that was newly installed at the Rec Center did not have any shade structures. Cindy Simon and Mike Skinner helped fund the three tables and umbrellas.