RPV Officials Dispel Rumors About Ladera Linda's Future

Concerned residents gathered at the Monday night as rumors circulated about what exactly was planned for Ladera Linda Park and its facilities.

Rancho Palos Verdes City Manager Carolyn Lehr, Rancho Palos Verdes City Councilman Anthony Misetich and Recreation and Parks Director Tom Odom were on hand to provide answers and calm nerves. The meeting was sponsored by the Ladera Linda Homeowners Association Executive Board.

Until recently, the site was home to a Montessori Preschool. The school's lease was not renewed by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in light of the building's deteriorating condition and expense to repair.

The park and buildings nearby, which are modular structures, are used for meetings, group classes and other small events. The Community Center currently hosts dance classes six days per week.

Activities like these will continue throughout the planning process for the park, Lehr said.

"Ladera Linda will be maintained and remain open for public use during the process in same way as now," she said.

Residents voiced concern for what exactly the park's future use would be in light of rumors in the community including that the Community Center and its surrounding buildings would be demolished, a skatepark or sports center would be built in its place, the site would host the , and that new residential development would take place there.

Lehr said there was a "zero percent" chance the Annenberg Project would call Ladera Linda its new home, nor had she heard of plans for residential development or a new Land Conservancy office. 

Of the many possibilities for the location: a skatepark and dog park.

"I think people would be happy if these were somewhere on the Peninsula," Lehr said. "Ladera Linda is not off the list of options."

However, both Odom and Lehr agreed a more urban area might be best for the construction of a skatepark. 

Though the modulars were built in 1967 and taken by the City in 1982, Lehr called demolition of the buildings on site "premature." They're plagued with a slew of maintenance problems including heating issues, water and gas lines in need of replacement and leaks, among other things, which led to the major concern for former preschool students who used to occupy the building, Lehr said.

"These buildings will not be raised without some plan to build something for the community ... and also input from the community," Misetich said.

A sports complex is also a possibility for future use, Lehr said.

In response to rumors about the site becoming a temporary location for City Hall offices during construction, Lehr said officials would have to be "pretty desperate" to relocate to Ladera Linda.

The Ladera Linda site could cost millions of dollars to complete and it's likely to be years before residents start seeing any changes, Lehr said, noting the City will be "slow and cautious" as it proceeds with planning.

The approved the allocation of $100,000 to engage in a public outreach planning process, which Lehr expects to launch by the end of the year.

The planning process will include more outreach in the community, workshops and public hearings, she said, and Monday's meeting was only the first of many steps.

"We're at the point where we need to talk seriously about what the future is," Lehr said.