Park Advisory Board Discusses Restroom Project, Playground at Recent Meeting

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The Pacific Palisades Recreation Center Park Advisory Board met on Thursday evening, October 17, to discuss a number of items on an agenda, including a restroom renovation project, the status of the playground update, and a new project designed to bring more shade and seating to the area.

In recent years, PAB has requested two updates at Palisades Recreation Center from city of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks: ADA-compliant restrooms at the small gym and an updated playground.

During a meeting on October 3, Rec & Parks approved a proposed restroom renovation project, including a commitment of funds to complete it. 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.

Rec & Parks staff have been authorized to commit “a maximum of $883,187.23” in Park Fees for the proposed project—prompting a discussion by PAB on where funding for the playground would come from with this amount now committed to the restroom.

During a previous PAB meeting in July 2023, it was discussed that the Rec & Parks superintendent recommended using Quimby funds for both the restroom and playground projects, while Measure A funds would be used for the Pacific Palisades Dog Park project.

PAB Member Rick McGeagh noted that a previous estimate for the restroom project was $550,000—a number that he thought then was too high.

“This needs to be brought to [Councilmember] Traci [Park’s] attention,” McGeagh said.

Earlier this summer, Pacific Palisades Community Council collaborated with PAB to seek input from the neighborhood regarding three options for the redesign of the playground. An ocean/meadow theme, forest theme and desert theme were proposed by Rec & Parks and Council District 11 for the “revamp and upgrade of the Palisades Recreation Center,” read information shared by PPCC.

“The PAB, in conjunction with the outreach efforts of PPCC, has solicited community input for the suggested playground design schemes and has observed a community preference for the first choice of playground schematics, with the blue and green color theme,” read the final motion supported by PAB in July.

At the October 17 meeting, CD 11 Field Deputy for Pacific Palisades Michael Amster said there were “no updates at this moment” regarding the playground, that the office has the information collected by PPCC from the community on record.

In response to the playground discussion, members of the public provided additional input on preferences for the space, including the inclusion of sand (whether throughout or in a sandbox), as it was beneficial for the socialization of toddlers who are learning to share toys.

Palisadian Cindy Simon presented during the meeting about a potential project to bring additional shade and seating to the playground area in the meantime, citing a “serious health and safety” issue of leaving caregivers in the sun while kids use the park. Previous tree removals have left the area even more exposed, she added.

Simon said she reached out to a Rec & Parks vendor to get a cost estimate for bringing three tables with seating and umbrellas to the area, which came in at $10,400 for the materials, delivery and installation.

Two of the tables would be 46” across with four seats. One would have three seats, with a space open for ADA seating.

Simon received support from PAB to move forward with fundraising for the project to bring it to fruition. Once funds are secured, it was estimated to take eight to 10 weeks for arrival.

“I think everyone agrees it’s a great idea,” Simon said.