$400K Pledged to Park Garden at Palisades Recreation Center

By Sue Pascoe 
Editor

American Legion Post 283 has pledged $400,000 towards a project to renovate the picnic area and build three bocce courts at the Palisades Recreation Center.

If the project is approved by the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks and receives $200,000 in community donations, the renovated area will be called Veterans’ Garden. The targeted completion date is April 2018.

“The Veterans’ Gardens will become a place where the story of our veterans will be shared with the wider community—and friends and families will enjoy the opportunity to gather together in a beautiful outdoor setting,” said Post 283 Commander Jere Romano.

This is an artist’s rendering of the proposed Veterans’ Gardens that would include bocce courts and picnic areas.
This is an artist’s rendering of the proposed Veterans’ Gardens that would include bocce courts and picnic areas.

The legion has already donated $20,000 to the bocce/picnic area organizing committee to develop the final plans. Before the well-funded Post 283 transfers the remaining $380,000 to Your Palisades Park Improvement Corporation (YourPark Corporation), four conditions must be met:

1.) The YourPark Corporation raises $200,000 from the community; 2.) the name—The Veterans’ Gardens—has been approved by Post 283, the YourPark Corporation, the Park Advisory Board and Recreation and Parks; 3.) there are assurances that the name will not be changed for a minimum of 30 years; and 4.) the project is subject to final approval by Post 283.

Organizers expect that city staff will comment on the construction drawings this fall, and that final approval for the project will be given by the city by Oct. 11.

The targeted start date is Nov. 16, with the Tyler Development Corporation handling the construction. The projected opening date is April 4, 2018.

The proposed project will replace the picnic area next to the maintenance shop (on the east side of the park), but leave the current grassy area alone for P.E. and sports classes.

About $133,000 is projected for landscaping; $124,000 for walkways; $53,000 for picnic tables, benches and barbecues; $160,000 for the bocce courts; $50,000 for contingencies and $60,000 for three years of maintenance.

The grant was approved by Post 283’s general membership at the Legion’s July monthly meeting.

The project, which initially focused solely on bocce courts and a revitalized picnic area, came to the Park Advisory Board in October 2014. The board voted to spend $2,500 to fund a survey regarding the proposed Bocce Center. This money came from the Toppel Matching Grant fund that was established in 2012 in honor of Kurt Toppel’s 80th birthday. (Money donated, which at that point was $1,900, would be matched by the Toppels up to $20,000.)

The project came before the Post 283 Executive Committee in March 2017. As a condition to considering a grant, the committee required that the project’s focus change to one recognizing veterans. Revisions were asked for, which involved a prominent flagpole situated at the entrance to the Gardens that would commemorate Post 283 and veterans, and five additional service monuments celebrating the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

In addition, there would be five outdoor “living room” picnic areas dedicated to the five military branches, with each area having a plaque with the words of that military branch’s service song.

The $20,000 donation approved by Legion membership in July was transferred to the Your Palisades Park Improvement Corporation, a nonprofit, to pay for current expenses, including invoices from Pamela Burton & Company, an architectural firm, for the revised conceptual drawings.

“The extraordinary generosity of the men and women of our American Legion Post 283 will be felt by Palisadians of every age for decades to come,” said Jimmy Dunne, a volunteer who has been spearheading the project.

“Wonderful news!” said Mike Skinner, PAB chairman and chair of the YourPark Corporation. “This will enable us to completely transform the unsightly and much-neglected Upper Picnic Area.”

To donate, contact Jimmy Dunne, (310) 459-7600 or email james@inspireentertainment.com. Tax deductible contributions (made payable to YourPark Corporation) can be mailed to YourPark Corporation, 732 Patterson Pl., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

in News
Related Posts

L.A. Artist to Discuss Debut Exhibit With Morleigh Steinberg at ARCANE Space

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

The Event Will Give Attendees a Chance to Engage With Maskrey, Whose Solo Debut Exhibition Opens Nov. 2 Los Angeles-based...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

Registration Opens for 10th Annual Palisades Turkey Trot

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Turkey Trot Will Raise Funds for Several Charities, Including Day of Giving, Local Firehouses #69 and #23, and Desita.org...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn/

Michael Mina’s Egyptian-Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Santa Monica

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Inside, the 270-Seat Restaurant’s Interior Draws Inspiration From Greek and Egyptian Coastal Aesthetics Renowned chef Michael Mina has opened his...

Here’s Why West L.A. Stunk So Bad This Week

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Coastal Communities Were Blanketed by an Intense Smell Brought on by an Oceanic Phenomena Sarena Snider had just returned to...

Los Angeles Dodgers Win 2024 World Series in Thrilling Comeback Against Yankees

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Dodgers Claims the Championship Title With a Stunning Victory The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series Champions as of 8:56...

St. Matthew’s Premiering New Requiem to Celebrate All Saints’ Day

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Dr. Milburn, Who Leads St. Matthew’s Music Guild, Has a Distinguished Career as a Composer and Conductor The Parish of...

Governor Gavin Newsom Allocates $827 Million to Combat Homelessness Statewide

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

New Funding Aims To Create Housing, Expand Shelters, Enhance Support Services Governor Gavin Newsom announced $827 million in new state...

Big Blue Bus to Unveil New Dog Park with Community Celebration

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Attendees Can Enter Their Pets in a Doggie Fall Fashion Show, With Prizes From Local Businesses The City of Santa...

(Video) Home Front Build Maintains Original Architectural Vision For Modern Homes

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

For More Information, Go to homefrontbuild.com @palisadesnews Home Front Build Adapts Original Vision of Architect Into Modern Structures #home #construction...

Legion 283 to Host Halloween Spooktacular & Costume Contest

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

Attendees Can Expect Trick-Or-Treat Stations, a Live Magic Show, and Halloween Cocktails American Legion Post 283 will host its annual...

At Vistamar School – Discover the way high school should be

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

Students achieve remarkable outcomes with our strong academics, small classes, and personalized approach. Our graduates don’t just attend college—they excel....

Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder in Alleged Attack on Valet and Six Others

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

Man Faces Multiple Charges After a Series of Assaults That Left Seven Injured Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón...

Malibu Breaks Off Negotiations With SMMUSD, Proceeds with School Separation Petition

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

The City Will Submit an Updated Feasibility Study to the County Committee on School District Organization, Supplementing Its 2017 Petition...

Comments
Leave a Reply