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Lower Hesse Park
There will be a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, September 19th at 5pm, please view Event Flyer (PDF)!
Lower Hesse Park Improvement scheduled to begin in late
August/Early September! Project scheduled to last 6 months.
See 6-6-17 Staff Report- Award of Contract to Pub Construction (PDF)
See 5-16-17 City Council Update (PDF)
See 5-16-17 Lower Hesse Park Powerpoint (PDF)
If you have any questions please contact Public Works Project Manager James Flannigan at 310-544-5277 or email James Flannigan or Recreation and Parks Senior Analyst Matt Waters, at 310-544-5218 or email Matt Waters.
August 2, 2016 Report: Design Consultant Selected
The RPV City Council awarded a Professional Services Agreement to Withers and Sandgren, Ltd. for the design of the Lower Hesse Park Improvement Project.
Please view the staff report (PDF).
Staff report contains the following attachments:
- Draft Professional Services Agreement
- Withers and Sandgren Proposal
- Revised Lower Hesse Park RFP
LA County Grant Approved for Lower Hesse Park
View the City Council Agenda for December 1st
Lower Hesse Park Improvement Project approved October 20th, 2015
Lower Hesse Park Improvement Project was approved by City Council on October 20th at 7 p.m, for more information please contact Matt Waters at 310-544-5218 or email Matt Powers
Lower Hesse Park
(Hawthorne Boulevard, between Locklenna Lane and Verde Ridge Road)
View Map
Project Overview
The purpose of the Lower Hesse Park Improvement Project is to enhance accessibility, recreational opportunities, and the aesthetic condition at the park. The City has worked with a landscape architect to perform site analysis, collect community input, and create conceptual designs of both Lower Hesse and Grandview Parks simultaneously.
Current Status
Improvements to this area have been in a planning/design phase since 2005. Conceptual designs were prepared in 2011 which included extensive landscape and trail improvements and active elements such as a basketball court, tennis court, paved parking lot, and a small structure which would include a public restroom, staff office and storage. The City Council directed staff in 2012 to work with the Pacific View HOA.
Thank you to Noel Park, John Freeman, Les Chapin and Jim Moore of the Pacific View HOA for their assistance with this project.
September 14th Public Workshop
A public workshop is scheduled at the John McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park on September 14th, 2015 at 7 PM, to discuss and receive public comment on a draft plan for lower Hesse Park. This project is scheduled to be considered by the City Council on October, 20th, 2015.
For more information about Lower Hesse Park, or the September 14th workshop, please contact Matt Waters at (310) 544-5218 or by email Matt Waters.
Access the Lower Hesse Park Workshop Agenda (PDF).
Access the Lower Hesse Park Workshop Presentation (PDF)
View the Lower Hesse Park Workshop Minutes (PDF)
Previous Project Steps
On November 16, 2010, City Council directed staff to complete the environmental review process for the Pacific Plan for Lower Hesse Park. View the concept plans (PDF). On July 17, 2012, after prioritizing capital improvement projects, City Council directed staff to work with the neighborhood homeowners association to develop a scaled down project that can be implemented in phases.
The City has completed the environmental analysis, and has determined that the project, as mitigated, will not have a significant effect on the environment. As a result, a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) has been prepared, and is now available for public comment. Public comments will be received by the City regarding the content of the MND, and must be received no later than 5:30 p.m. on January 31, 2013. The MND document can be viewed online (PDF). To view reports on the history of the project and past Council actions, please view the project history section at the bottom of this webpage. To learn more about the park improvement project, join the project listserve for Lower Hesse Park.
- Conceptual Design Process
- Public Outreach Table
- Project History
- Project Background
- Planning & Public Outreach
- Neighborhood Meeting
- Learn More
The Conceptual Design Process
Public outreach performed by consultant, Mia Lehrer and Associates, and City staff included three community workshops during which community input was gathered and preliminary designs were shared. Staff also took public outreach tables to shopping centers and special events throughout the Peninsula to share information with the public and to gather input.
View a gallery of photos from the community workshops.
At the May 15 Community Workshop, the City's landscape architect led participants through a site analysis of both park sites to gather resident input.
At the July 17 Community Workshop, the city's landscape architect and city staff presented conceptual designs of the two parks and discussed traffic and circulation, park programming, and park character.
At the September 25 Community Workshop, Mayor Wolowicz, city staff, and the city's landscape architect shared conceptual designs of Lower Hesse and Grandview parks with the community and solicited feedback.
Parks Improvement Public Outreach Table
Staff brought a public outreach table to locations throughout the city to gather input from residents.
Project History & Previous Council Actions
July 17, 2012 City Council Meeting
On July 17, 2012, City Council directed staff to complete the Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration for the originally designed Pacific Plan for Lower Hesse Park and to work with the local homeowners association to develop a scaled down project to be completed over the course of a number of years, to be brought back to City Council for consideration.
November 16, 2010 City Council Meeting
On November 16, 2010 City Council directed staff to proceed with the environmental review process for the Pacific Plan for Lower Hesse Park, and reopen the public outreach process for consideration of a skate facility.
- View the November 16, 2010 City Council Staff Report (PDF).
- View the November 16, 2010 Conceptual Design presentation (PDF) created by Mia Lehrer & Associates.
April 20, 2010 City Council Meeting
On April 20, 2010, City Council awarded a contract to landscape architect Mia Lehrer & Associates to conduct community workshops and create conceptual designs of Lower Hesse and Grandview parks.
- View the April 20, 2010 City Council Staff Report (PDF).
- View Mia Lehrer & Associates' Original Proposal (PDF).
November 17, 2009 City Council Meeting
After considering public testimony and the information presented by staff, the City Council approved the conceptual improvement plans for Lower Hesse Park and Grandview Park and directed staff to retain consultants to prepare design plans for these parks and to create opportunities for public input concerning the design of these community parks. Original conceptual designs were modified based on input received at two neighborhood meetings from individuals residing near the parks. The following modified plans were presented to the City Council at its November 17, 2009 meeting:
- View the modified plan for Lower Hesse Park (PDF).
- View the modified plan for Grandview Park (PDF).
- View the November 17, 2009 City Council Power Point Presentation (PDF).
- View the November 17, 2009 City Council Staff Report (PDF).
- View the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by staff in December 2009 (PDF).
Project Background
On February 16, 2010, the City Council adopted its 2010 Tactical Plan (PDF). The Tactical Plan is intended to establish the City Council's goals and priorities and therefore direct the work of City staff for the upcoming year. One of the many tactical goals adopted by the City Council includes the following: Goal: Improve the City's recreational and educational facilities by expanding opportunities for active recreational uses and improving access to all parks.
- Sub-goal: Provide improvements to Grandview Park & Lower Hesse Park.
- Milestone: present a report to the City Council regarding possible options to improve Lower Hesse Park and Grandview Park for active recreation.
Planning Process & Public Outreach
To address these goals, City staff performed an extensive visioning process, relying on public input and information from a variety of available sources including, but not limited to:
- The City's Parks Master Plan (Adopted 1989)
- The Conceptual Trails Plan (2008) (PDF)
- The City of Rancho Palos Verdes Parks and Recreation and Open Space Task Force Community Survey
- 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) (2009) (PDF)
- Sports Field Use Inventory and Peninsula-wide Recreational Resources Inventory
- Ongoing input from the general public
Neighborhood Meeting: Pacific View HOA
Prior to presenting the City Council with the conceptual park improvement plans, City Staff along with two City Council members (Councilman Dyda and Councilman Long) met with residents near Hesse Park to introduce the conceptual plans and to receive initial input on the proposed design schemes. View the conceptual plan (PDF) presented to the Pacific View HOA on November 11, 2009.
Learn More
To receive electronic updates on the park improvement plans, including future public outreach opportunities, via email, subscribe to the Lower Hesse Park / Grandview Park Listserve group. Subscribe online. Inquiries regarding the park improvement projects should be directed to Katie Howe, Administrative Analyst, Recreation and Parks Department at 310-544-5260 or email the department.
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Recreation, Parks, and Open Space
Physical Address
30940 Hawthorne Boulevard
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Phone: 310-544-5260Fax: 310-544-5294