By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

A community engagement meeting regarding the forthcoming Pacific Palisades Dog Park project will take place on Monday, October 21, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Palisades Branch Library.

“Come join the Office of Councilwoman Traci Park and the city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks to learn about this incoming amenity for our beloved dogs,” read information shared by Park about the meeting, which will take place in the community room. “After years of community advocacy, we’ve worked hard to secure funding for this long-time community priority, and we’re excited to see the project move forward. We hope that you can join us to learn more.”

The idea for an off-leash dog park in Pacific Palisades dates back nearly three decades—with an advocacy group, including Leslie Campbell, Carol Ross and Lynn Miller in 2017 called Pacific Palisades Dog Park Working Group, taking charge in recent years.

Before the group was formed, Campbell began a petition drive to establish a dog park in the Palisades that garnered almost 4,000 signatures after the Barrington Dog Park was threatened with closure over land use by the VA, which owns the space, in 2015.

During a Parks Needs Assessment undertaken by the County of LA at the same time, the Palisades and Brentwood were grouped together, according to information shared by the dog park group, with Miller representing the Palisades. A dog park in the Palisades was ranked the No. 1 need during the assessment, according to the group.

In 2017, then-Councilmember Mike Bonin passed a motion establishing the Pacific Palisades Dog Park Working Group, which was tasked with finding land in the Palisades for the park. After looking into alternate locations—including Simon Meadow, Will Rogers State Beach, Will Rogers State Historic Park and others—it was deemed and then approved that a space owned by Rec & Parks near the base of Temescal Canyon Road would be the best place for it, which was later supported by the community.

“We had researched every other possible location for this dog park,” Ross said. “So there had been a lot of research that had gone into it.”

Plans include small and large dog areas, totaling 33,255 square feet, according to a Rec & Parks board report. The project scope, according to the report, is to “create a new off-leash dog park, including new fencing, path of travel (concrete path, entry plaza), synthetic surfacing, landscaping (trees, irrigation, mulch), security lighting, [and] site amenities (shade structure, hydration station, benches, trash receptacles, dog agility equipment).”

“The dog park will be funded by Measure A,” the flyer for the community engagement meeting read.

Measure A funds, derived from an annual special tax on properties, are administered by the County of LA Regional Park and Open Space District Annual Allocation Program after being requested by the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners.

“When Measure A came on the scene, I went to all of the formation meetings and kept asking: ‘Does this fund dog parks? Does this fund dog parks?’” Miller explained. “So when it came to them defining their scope, they did include dog parks, which is great for us.”

Campbell and Miller met around that time during a Rec & Parks outreach meeting regarding Measure A in Brentwood. There were printouts of different ways to use the funding, Campbell explained, so she crafted a sign that said “dog park,” which was “packed with yellow stickers” placed by community members who were noting what they wanted to see the funds used for.

The Pacific Palisades Dog Park Working Group first announced during a Pacific Palisades Recreation Center Park Advisory Board meeting on January 25 that $1.5 million in Measure A funds would be requested by Rec & Parks to be designated to create the proposed dog park. This request was approved in September, Miller said.

The members of the dog park group thanked Park at the time for her aid in making the request happen—as the proposed dog park was one of her campaign promises made to Campbell ahead of her election.

“For decades, residents of the Palisades have been fighting for a dog park,” Park wrote on Instagram following the January 18 Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners meeting where the funding request was unanimously approved. “I’m so excited to announce that today, we are one step closer. Today, the RAP Commission approved our request for funding to move this project forward.”

To obtain Measure A funds, the group needed community input and approval before the application, which included a February 2018 meeting at Palisades Recreation Center to review the site location, design and obtain community suggestions, according to the dog park group, which garnered support from the Park Advisory Board and more than 100 attendees at the meeting at the time. The dog park was later supported by Pacific Palisades Community Council.

Following the upcoming community engagement meeting—as well as a second meeting in the future—the project is anticipated to go out to bid, Miller explained, and additional details will be narrowed down. Pacific Palisades Dog Park Working Group said they are hoping the project is completed in 2025, but that it may be early 2026.

“We’ve had phenomenal support,” Ross said of the project.

Questions regarding the meeting can be directed to Pacific Palisades Field Deputy for CD 11 Michael Amster: michael.amster@lacity.org. To RSVP for the October 21 meeting, visit forms.gle/r7eyNCB6TQyciX7K6.

By LILY TINOCO and SARAH SHMERLING

Pacific Palisades Community Council is now accepting nominations for its 2024 Citizen of the Year and Golden Sparkplug awards through Saturday, October 26, at 8 p.m.

Each year, PPCC honors individuals who have made voluntary contributions to the Palisades that benefit the community at large.

Citizen of the Year honors “long-term, steady, reliable and continuing outstanding” volunteer service, as well as a recent “extraordinary” accomplishment by an individual that resulted in a “substantial” benefit to the Palisades community. The recipient must be an adult who resided in the Palisades at the time of the accomplishment, as well as the service.

Golden Sparkplug awards honors citizens who have ignited original ideas and projects that have benefited Palisadians. The project must have been initiated, in progress or completed during the current or prior calendar year.

Adults and youth are both eligible to receive a Golden Sparkplug award. The recipient must have owned property in, resided in or operated a business in the Palisades at the time of their service, and can be any age. Nominations should include the nature of the original idea, effort or project, as well as how it benefited the community.

Any organization or individual in the community may nominate a candidate for either award. Both awards will be bestowed based on the quality or benefits achieved of their work, and not the quantity of nominations, according to information shared by PPCC.

“In the case of both awards, the services, accomplishment or project must have been voluntary and not related to nor a beneficial outcome of the nominee’s business, profession or occupation,” according to PPCC. “Neither award can be given to PPCC board members based on services directly related to their responsibilities as board members, although such services may be considered as a qualifying factor in the case of nominees for the Citizen [of the Year] award.”

In 2023, PPCC awarded Golden Sparkplugs to Laura Schneider, John Dwight, Sara Marti and Steve Cron.

Cindy Kirven was recognized as 2023’s Citizen of the Year. Kirven, co-president of the Village Green, was honored for her efforts to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the park’s founding, as well as a succession plan for the organization, which had “a board that was aging out and retiring.”

“How could I say no?” Kirven said about the volunteer efforts she has been asked to be a part of over the years in the Palisades. “To 50 more years of creating great community.”

In 2023, Palisades P.R.I.D.E. was given the Pride of the Palisades award, which is a discretionary distinction that is bestowed in “exceptional circumstances,” determined by the Awards Selection Committee: “Nominations from the public are not sought for Pride of the Palisades honors,” PPCC wrote.

Nominations should be sent via email to info@pacpalicc.org no later than 8 p.m. on October 26.

Honorees will be announced at the November 12 PPCC meeting. The winners will be honored at a gala celebration, slated for Thursday, December 12.

For more information, visit pacpalicc.org.

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Restoration and revitalization efforts of a Temescal Canyon Road mural that dates back more than four decades are underway, spearheaded by one of the original artists, Kat Kozik, along with Palisadians Cathy Salser and Cindy Simon.

Over 40 years ago, a group of Palisades Charter High School students embarked on the creation of the nearly 500-foot mural, with inspiration drawn from public art and the history of Pacific Palisades. The mural was painted between 1983 and 1990, entirely funded by local donations.

“Painted by students, [the mural] is a love letter about the Pacific Palisades, inviting the viewer to stroll its wild landscape, witness its first peoples and contrast how they inhabited the land with how modern society does,” according to project details.

Kozik shared that painting the mural was her first expression of public service and “one of the most meaningful chapters” of her life.

“I had such love and appreciation for this beautiful wild landscape of the Palisades, and I was so intrigued by how the natural world pushed up against the modern, urban world,” she said to the Palisadian-Post. “It felt like the mural wanted to express itself through me and my fellow artists when we created it.”

The restoration efforts—launched in late September—call for the mural to be revitalized.

“The mural belongs to us all,” read a statement about the project. “While it has been patched-up before, it now needs serious attention to address its chipped paint and peeling clear coat so the art will shine for future generations.”

Salser told the Post the project’s mission is to professionally restore the Temescal Canyon mural, and “elevate its use as a teaching and creative space.” The team will work with MuralColors, a minority- and women-owned business of professional artists who work closely with artists and communities to restore and preserve murals in California, according to the website.

The project bid is $105,000. As the Post went to print Tuesday evening, October 8, more than $71,000 had been collected.

“Donations of all sizes matter and all donor names will be recognized on the wall, as has been the tradition since the beginning—except, of course, where folks wish to remain anonymous,” Salser explained.

Area nonprofit A Window Between Worlds will serve as the fiscal recipient of funds, so donations can be tax deductible.

“I am deeply touched that there is such interest in the Palisades in restoring and revitalizing the mural, and to be reconnecting with the community,” Kozik added. “It’s been such a pleasure to work with Cindy Simon … who got this project rolling, and fellow original artist, Cathy Salser, who has dedicated herself to healing trauma through art.

“I feel such warmth and generosity from the individuals and groups I’ve connected with around this project.”

For more information, email tcmp.pali@gmail.com. To donate, visit awbw.org/temescal.

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The city of Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners approved a proposed restroom renovation project at Palisades Recreation Center—including commitment of funds to complete it—during its board meeting on Thursday morning, October 3.

Staff recommended the board “approve the scope of work and the total budget of the Palisades Recreation Center Restroom Renovation Project,” read the report.

The scope of the work includes demolishing the existing restrooms, reconfiguring the interior spaces to accommodate new stalls and all-gender accessible restrooms, and install new plumbing chase, all new plumbing fixtures and lines along with new sewer piping, according to the report.

It also includes installing new tile and paint throughout the restroom, restroom accessories, and electrical lighting. The proposed project also includes performing accessible parking improvements.

Rec and Parks staff have been authorized to commit “a maximum of $883,187.23” in Park Fees for the proposed project, which are collected by the department when “new, non-exempt, residential dwellings” are constructed for “the purpose of acquiring, expanding, and improving park and recreation facilities for residents,” according to the department.

“Upon approval of this report, $883,187.23 in Park Fees can be committed to the proposed project, which is the total budget including budget contingency,” read the report. “The Park Fees were collected within five miles of Palisades Recreation Center, which is the standard distance for the commitment of Park Fees for community recreational facilities pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code.”

The project will be “bid and constructed through RAP’s list of pre-qualified and on-call contractors,” read the report. Due to the scope of the work, the project is a categorical exemption from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, according to the board report.

The anticipated project schedule includes five phases: predesign (October 2025 to November 2025), design (December 2025 to February 2026), bid and award (March 2026 to August 2026), construction (August 2026 to March 2027), and post construction (April 2027 to November 2027).

“The estimated costs for the design, development and construction of the proposed park improvements are anticipated to be funded by Park Fees or funding sources other than RAP’s General Fund,” according to the report. “The maintenance of the proposed park improvements can be performed by current staff with minimal impact to existing maintenance service at this facility.”

The board report was approved unanimously on consent.

“I wanted to thank you for hearing a proposal to improve the bathrooms in the old gym built in the 1950s and not really improved at all since then,” Pacific Palisades Recreation Center Park Advisory Board Member David Card said during public comment prior to the vote. “I hope you unanimously support that.”

The restrooms have been discussed by the Park Advisory Board at its recent quarterly meetings, including in April and July. It has remained a top priority for board members during discussions, as well as an updated playground.

The next meeting of the Park Advisory Board at Palisades Recreation Center is slated for Thursday, October 17.

Allied Artists to Host Annual Sale and Show at Palisades Village Green

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains & Seashore will host the seventh annual “Art on the Green” on Sunday, October 20, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Palisades Village Green.

The exhibit and sale will have local works on display, featuring area artists and their original, representational landscape and seascape paintings of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and beyond.

Some of the exhibiting artists include Bruce Trentham, Barbara Freund, Virginia Kamhi, Robert Scopinich, Russell Hunziker, Timothy Kitz, Ruth Askren, David Jackson, Donna Goldstein and Linda Melber.

“All paintings in the show must be representational art depicting the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and national, state and local parks, and open spaces within the 10 counties of Southern California: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura,” according to Allied Artists.

Proceeds from the show will support the Village Green, as well as local and national conservation organizations.

“The Village Green is a beautiful park in the center of Pacific Palisades,” read a statement. “The park is supported solely by donations and is maintained by volunteers. To this day, it stands as a symbol of our community’s spirit, generosity and love of beauty.”

Allied Artists is a 20-year-old organization of local fine artists who paint representational art of the Santa Monica Mountains and beaches, designed to promote appreciation of the environment, as well as conservation and maintenance efforts. The group collaborates with organizations like Will Rogers State Historic Park, National Wildlife Federation, Mountains Restoration Trust and others.

One of the exhibiting artists, Hunziker, has lived in the Palisades for over 30 years. He is an active painter, board member of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and former board member of Topanga Canyon Gallery. His previous works have depicted an ode to his love of nature, from the Santa Monica mountains and beaches to the Sierra Nevada.

“Having the art show on the Village Green is a highlight of the group’s year,” Hunziker previously said to the Palisadian-Post. “It’s such a beautiful location. We look forward to it every year.”

Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains & Seashore also sponsors free monthly paint-outs on the second Saturday of each month. The paint-outs provide the opportunity for any painter to “enjoy a sense of camaraderie with like-minded people” and “are a great way to see the beauty of the natural environment,” according to a statement. A painting demonstration and “friendly critique” are typically part of the event.

The monthly paint-outs are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are open to any artist at any skill level. The next paint-out is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, at Malibu Creek State Park.

“This park embodies everything there is to love about the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area,” according to the Allied Artists’ website. “You will see spectacular vistas, including majestic mountains, volcanic rock gorges, scenic pools and eddies in Malibu Creek, and breathtaking views of the Las Virgenes Valley and Malibu Canyon. Come enjoy a mellow morning of painting with friends, or head out and find that special spot that suits you.”

Previous paint-outs have taken place at Via de las Olas Bluffs in Pacific Palisades.

For more information and other upcoming events, visit allied-artists.com.