News Summary
The Beverly Hills Recreation and Parks Commission held a meeting to discuss the La Cienega Park Playground Improvements Project and the Pickleball Pilot Program. The playground will feature new equipment for different age groups and prioritize safety and sustainability. Improvements for the pickleball courts at La Cienega Tennis Center will start soon, ensuring a satisfactory balance between users’ needs. The commission aims to enhance local recreation facilities based on community feedback and maintain active engagement in ongoing projects.
Beverly Hills – The Beverly Hills Recreation and Parks Commission convened on August 26 to address vital developments regarding the La Cienega Park Playground Improvements Project and the Pickleball Pilot Program. As community needs evolve, these initiatives reflect the city’s commitment to enhancing recreational facilities for residents.
City architect Mandana Motahari delivered an update regarding the playground’s design, amenities, and equipment selections. The plans for La Cienega Park playground, integrating community feedback from numerous outreach activities, reveal a strategic approach to incorporation and sustainability. The existing equipment, some dating back to the 1980s, will be replaced to meet modern safety standards and encourage diverse play.
The revamped playground will be structured into two distinct areas: the northern segment tailored for children aged two to five years, and the southern area designated for ages five to twelve. In the northern region, exciting features such as a mountaineering system composed of climbing nets and melodic instruments will be installed. Additional elements include springers, swing sets, climbing mounds, and an elemental forest designed to stimulate creativity and exploration.
Meanwhile, the southern section will boast a variety of engaging equipment suitable for older children, incorporating swing sets, climbing mounds, a Jacob’s Ladder, curved slides, and a somersault bar. To further enhance user experience, four shade solutions will be introduced. These consist of fabric canopies, canopies covering play equipment, perimeter trees, and floating discs for more passive recreational activities.
Commissioner Amie Sherry highlighted the playground’s whimsical design, projecting that it will draw families from across the region. The commission is optimistic about moving forward, with bidding for the playground project anticipated to occur between late November and early December. Construction is expected to commence in March or April, lasting approximately four to six months.
In addition to playground improvements, updates were provided on the Pickleball Pilot Program, which received City Council approval on August 5. This initiative focuses on converting specific tennis courts at La Cienega Tennis Center and Roxbury Park into dedicated pickleball courts. The Recreation Services Manager announced that resurfacing would likely begin in mid-September, aiming for completion by the end of October. Initial work will take place at La Cienega Tennis Center, which may see a temporary closure of two to three days, followed by complete closure of Roxbury Park during resurfacing activities.
Concerns about potential noise from pickleball impacting neighboring tennis players necessitated the decision to re-designate Court 1 at La Cienega Tennis Center back to its original use as a tennis court. These adjustments reflect attentiveness to community feedback and the balancing of interests between different user groups.
Other notable updates discussed during the meeting included improvements in digital display and signage at both La Cienega Park and Roxbury Memorial Park, alongside a summary of the successful “Parks Make Life Better” activities conducted in July. Planning for the La Cienega Playground enhancements will be revisited during the next meeting on October 22, taking into account the valuable insights gathered from a survey that received 570 responses.
This survey indicated that 23% of participants do not visit the park, largely due to concerns about heat or overcrowding, alongside issues regarding sand, shade, and playground equipment. Suggestions emerging from the community included requests for a fitness-oriented playground and a water feature to provide relief from the summer heat.
The commission also addressed noise concerns related to pickleball court usage and the etiquette expected of players. A new configuration for the courts will be developed to reduce noise disturbances. To build community engagement, discussions were held to implement e-bike safety measures and enhance digital signage visibility.
Recent events within the community, such as the Beverly Hills Art Show and the Day of Wellness, were celebrated for their successful engagement and participation, reflecting the community’s dynamic spirit. As the commission develops its annual work plan, priorities will remain focused on playground renovations while navigating fiscal challenges.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: La Cienega Park on Commission Agenda
- Los Angeles Times: Sunday Funday in Los Angeles
- Beverly Hills Courier: Commission Considers La Cienega Park Improvements
- California.com: Best Running Trails in Los Angeles
- Tiny Beans: 11 Awesome Los Angeles Playgrounds for Kids
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
