Grant Sets Citywide Projects in Motion

New park lighting, safer field bleachers, and a refurbished trail system in the city are some improvements on the horizon for Palos Verdes Estates after the City Council approved funding for these projects by a $150,000 park grant on Tuesday.

City Engineer Allan Rigg presented five projects that will begin as a result of the grant, awarded by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Excess Funds Grant Program. A resolution of the council authorizing the funding of projects by the grant was required by the Open Space District.

“These funds were required to be used for recreational, capital project needs. For us to determine the highest priority projects, we went to the Parklands Committee as well as meeting with the Malaga Cove and Lunada Bay homeowners associations,” Rigg said.

Rigg gave a breakdown on Tuesday night of how much of the $150,000 would be dedicated to each project.

The first project will include a donation of $38,000 to the city’s “tree bank” account, which is used for the installation of new trees and other landscaping needs.

Lunada Bay Park will also get new lights installed on pergolas, or shaded walkways, which is estimated to cost $5,000.

A pathway near Via Victoria will be refurbished with concrete stairs to make the path a better option for recreational use, which is expected to cost $29,000.

George Allan Field will get new, safer bleachers, costing $10,000, which will include side rails and backings.

The remaining $68,000 will go toward establishing a trail system within the city, Rigg said.

Members of the Malaga Cove Homeowners Association attended Tuesday night's meeting to urge the city council to approve the application of these funds, notably for the Via Victoria path refurbishment and the trail reestablishment projects.

“Until recently I was not aware that the trail system was an integral part of the design as it was laid out by the city’s founders and designers, in fact this is one of the reasons our city has no sidewalks,” resident Jill Shoemaker said. “Whether it’s to exercise, visit friends and neighbors, or just to enjoy our beautiful city, a refurbished and expanded trail system would offer so much to so many people in our city.”

The city council voted to approve the application of these funds, thus approving the projects, and commended the city staff for working under a tight deadline.

“What people may not realize is that the city had no idea that this grant was forthcoming,” Mayor John Rea said. “We were pleasantly surprised when we were notified, but we were also given a very short deadline to respond, so I’m very pleased that the staff was able to act so promptly while still involving the community.

The city will pursue the projects as soon as an agreement with the county has been finalized.