L.A. Council Approves White Point Preserve
By Josh Cohen News Staff Writer
WILMINGTON -- The Los Angeles City Council overwhelmingly approved the master plan for San Pedro's 102-acre White Point Preserve Wednesday at the first-ever council meeting held in Wilmington.
In addition to approving a plan to preserve White Point, a large swath of coastal open space used as farmland in the early 20th century and later as a Naval shore-defense site, council members also agreed to allow the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy to manage the property for 25 years. The project's environmental impact report was approved as well.
Capping more than 30 years of community activism to preserve White Point, council members lauded San Pedro and Peninsula residents, city representatives from the Department of Recreation and Parks and 15th District Councilwoman Janice Hahn for their efforts.
"I could not help but be struck by how dedicated this community was to this nature preserve," said 5th District Councilman Jack Weiss. "I want to thank Councilwoman Hahn for the many days and hours she put in to bring all the parties together."
"We really saw the strength of activism," said 13th District Councilman Eric Garcetti.
"This is really a great example of a diverse group of people getting together to preserve and protect one of the last great open spaces anywhere on the West Coast," said Hahn. "Once completed, [White Point] will represent the future for generations of children to come, who, as you know in this city, have few open spaces left."
Although a majority of council members appeared ready to approve the White Point master plan, some admitted their minds were made up after hearing from young San Pedro resident and White Point volunteer Brianna Biesmans Simmons.
Simmons told how she and her friends helped to clean up trash and plant native vegetation at White Point, and the joy she felt by making the preserve look its best.
"You can see the difference we have made [at White Point]," said Simmons. "A lot of people have put in a lot of time and effort in the hopes that some day this will be a great preserve. I hope you realize how many people care about this project as much as me."
Third District Councilman Dennis Zine said he hadn't come to a decision "until I heard that young lady speak. When she spoke, she convinced me."
"I'm sold," said council President Alex Padilla.
White Point Project Manager Loren DeRoy said the process of getting the master plan approved, as well as future restoration efforts, were great examples of community effort.
"This project has demonstrated how effective partnerships between the community, non-profit organizations and city government can be," said DeRoy, a Rolling Hills resident. "[This plan] not only preserves White Point's precious resources, but serves the needy of the entire Los Angeles region."
White Point Day
Council festivities began the day's meeting at the Banning's Landing Community Center in Wilmington.
Mayor James Hahn announced the day, Dec. 12, as "Wilmington Day" in the city of Los Angeles, and council and audience members watched and listened to a performance by the Banning High School Band. Representatives of the L.A. City Fire Department draped an American flag from the ladders of two engines, creating a patriotic canopy to the entrance of the center.
But the day, as far as San Pedro residents and conservancy members were concerned, belonged to White Point.
"This is 30 years of work," said Leah Marinkovich, a founding member of the Friends of White Point, a resident task force that has taken the preserve under its wing.
"There is really a sense of community with White Point," she said. "During a cleanup or planting, you see all sorts of people out there helping: doctors, lawyers, educators, artists, the Girl Scouts, children, seniors. They're all working together, sharing the experience and hoping to make a difference."
Supporters will now embark on a mission to plant coastal sage scrub and other native vegetation throughout the park. The goal of revegetating 90 acres at White Point makes it the largest single restoration effort the Land Conservancy has ever taken on. Conservancy Executive Director Keith Lenard, who was present at the hearing, once described White Point as a "blank slate" because of its lack of native vegetation and the need for restoration.
"All the preserves we can make will have a great effect on the environment of the city of Los Angeles," said 4th District Councilman Tom LaBonge.
"It's truly amazing what we can accomplish as we all work together to create this wonderful preserve at White Point," said Marinkovich.
For more information about the White Point Preserve and how you can help, call the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy at 541-7613.