Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park Map, Hours, Parking, Location, Fred Hesse Jr. Community, Park, This park, with its well-manicured parkland and active community center, is one of the most popular in the City. Among the features available for public enjoyment in the upper park area are baseball and soccer fields, numerous picnic areas with barbecues, playground equipment suitable for toddlers to adolescents, and a well-used ¼ mile walking path. Most of the privatized recreation classes are offered at this facility and many Peninsula Senior activities are held here. Additionally three rooms in the community center are available for rental for meetings and private parties. The newly developed lower park site offers a sand volleyball court, picnic areas (no barbecues permitted), leisurely walking paths, and comfortable locations for enjoying panoramic views of Catalina Island north to Malibu. As at all parks, dogs must be on a leash. A Detailed Description of Robert E. Ryan Community Park
LOWER HESSE PARK AND GRANDVIEW PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Lower Hesse Park
(between Hawthorne and Verde Ridge Rd.)
View Map

Grandview Park
(between Via Panorama and Grayslake Rd.)
View Map

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is in the process of developing park improvement plans for Lower Hesse Park and Grandview Park. The park improvement plans are intended to enhance the accessibility and aesthetic condition of both parks. At this point, the City is collecting community input, performing site analysis, collecting data, and working with a landscape architect to create conceptual designs for the two parks. Be a part of the park improvement process by joining the project listserve, attending the Community Workshops, and staying abreast of the project as it progresses.

Please attend the project Community Workshops, led by City staff and landscape architect, Mia Lehrer and Associates, to share your ideas and be a part of the park design process. We want your input!

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. 

  • Click here to view the May 15, 2010 Community Workshop #1 notes.


The next community workshop will take place on Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Hesse Park. Fliers with workshop information are available at various community information boards at shopping centers throughout the City, and at City facilities and libraries. Families are encouraged to attend the upcoming workshops and fun activities will be provided for children.  Click here to view the invitational flyer.

Parks Improvement Public Outreach Table

Staff is bringing a public outreach table to locations throughout the City to gather park input from residents. 

Council Actions Related to Park Improvement Project

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.

  • Click here to view the April 20, 2010 City Council Staff Report
  • Click here to view Mia Lehrer & Associates’ Original Proposal


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:

  • Click here to view the modified plan for Lower Hesse Park
  • Click here to view the modified plan for Grandview Park
  • Click here to view the November 17, 2009 City Council Power Point Presentation
  • Click here to view the November 17, 2009 City Council Staff Report
  • Click here to view the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by staff in December 2009

 

Project Background

On February 16, 2010, the City Council adopted its 2010 Tactical Plan. 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 and 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)
• The City of Rancho Palos Verdes Parks and Recreation and Open Space Task Force Community Survey
• 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) (2009)
• Sports Field Use Inventory and Peninsula-wide Recreational Resources Inventory
• Ongoing input from the general public.


Neighborhood Meetings

Prior to presenting the City Council with the conceptual park improvement plans, City Staff along with two
City Council members, met with residents from the respective neighborhoods to introduce the conceptual
plans and to receive initial input on the proposed design schemes. The following neighborhood meetings
were conducted:

Pacific View HOA
On November 5, 2009 the conceptual plan for Lower Hesse Park was presented to the neighborhood by
City Staff. In attendance that evening was Mayor Pro-Tem Wolowicz and Councilman Stern.

  • Click here to view the Lower Hesse Park conceptual plan presented to the neighborhood.

Grandview HOA
On November 11, 2009, the conceptual plan for Grandview Park was presented to the neighborhood by
City Staff. In attendance that evening was Councilman Dyda and Councilman Long.

  • Click here to view the Grandview Park conceptual plan presented to the neighborhood.

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. Click here to subscribe.
Inquiries regarding the park improvement projects should be directed to Katie Howe, Administrative Analyst,
Recreation and Parks Department at 310-544-5260 or parks@rpv.com.
     

 
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