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RESOLUTION NO. 2025-R_____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE C ITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA , APPROVING AND ADOPTING
THE CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Culver City (“City”) has a nearly 90-acre network of parks and recreational areas owned by the City of Culver City and operated by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that parks are the h eartbeat of Culver City, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to recharge and inspire joy in vibrant natural environments that honor our shared history and community; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to provide for the wellbeing of Culver City residents by supporting diverse, safe, and equitable opportunities for recreation, learning, and arts while protecting our most valued natural and cultural resources; and WHEREAS, the Culver City Parks Plan (“Parks Plan ”) envisions the next generation of the City’s parks by analyzing areas of need and opportunity through the lens of equity, and proposes improvements to indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and programming; and
WHEREAS, the Parks Plan aligns with other City Council approved document s by reviewing over 20 City plans and including their significance within the Parks Plan, such as the Culver City General Plan 2045, Stormwater Quality Master Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan, and the City Council of the City of Culver City Strategic Plan; and WHEREAS, the Culver City community was awarded opportunities to comment and provide input on the Parks Plan, including the actions contained therein, by completing a
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survey, attending one of four in -person special events hosted by the City, attending one of three virtual events hosted by the City, and via the Parks Plan website.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE as follows:
The Culver City Parks Plan, attached to this Resolution as Exhibit “A”, is hereby approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Culver City.
APPROVED and ADOPTED this 10th day of February 2025.
________________________________
DAN O’BRIEN, MAYOR
City of Culver City, California
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
__________________________ ______________________________ JEREMY BOCCHINO, City Clerk HEATHER BAKER, City Attorney
CULVER CITY
PARKS PLAN
DECEMBER 2024 DRAFT
2 DRAFT
PREPARED FOR:
CULVER CITY AND CULVER CITY PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES PREPARED BY:
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 3
Figure 1. Hundreds of community Members interacted with the Parks Plan booth at Fiesta La Ballona. Source: OLIN, 2024. 4 DRAFT
WELCOME TO THE
PARKS PLAN
Introduction
The Parks Plan is the first step in a robust public
engagement strategy that will be part of all
future project planning. The ideal outcomes from
engagement include open networks of two-way
communication and learning, meaningful feedback
on planning elements, and community buy-in
transforms into long-term project stewardship and
success. Engagement methods should employ
diverse forms of media and activities that span
across geographic, language, and other accessibility
barriers.
How this Document is Organized
Section I: Introduction begins with an executive
summary of the document, reviews key planning
documents including the General Plan 2045, and
details the Parks Plan public engagement process.
Section II: Plan describes the Vision and Mission
of Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community
Services (PRCS). It outlines five Parks Plan goals set
during the planning process based on community
feedback and priorities. Each goal is supported
by Actions and Methods. Goals outline ideal
future states; actions describe ways of moving
toward the ideal state, and methods are specific
implementation steps for actions.
Figure 2. Within the Parks Plan, goals are supported by actions and methods, which break the goal down into implementable steps. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
ACTIONS
METHODS
SPECIFIC
IMPLEMENTATION STEPS
FOR ACTIONS
MOVE TOWARD THE
IDEAL STATE
IDEAL FUTURE STATESGOALS
Next, Section II summarizes the existing conditions
and present-day parkland, programming, arts and
culture, water, and ecology and resilience needs of
the parks system and the proposed strategies to
meet the system needs in the coming decades.
Finally, each of Culver City’s existing 13 parks are
explored in detail and proposed improvements
for each park are identified for the next 15 to 20
years. Design processes and additional community
meetings will take place once projects are funded
before moving forward with park improvements.
Section III: Implementation includes information
to help with budget proposals, decision-making,
and departmental coordination.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 5
CITY COUNCIL
Dan O’Brien
Mayor
Freddy Puza
Vice Mayor
Yasmine-Imani McMorrin
Council Member
Albert Vera
Council Member
Bryan Fish
Council Member
PRCS COMMISSIONERS
William Rickards
Margaret Peters
Palvi Mohammed
Jane Leonard
Crystal Alexander
Figure 3. City Hall is located at the heart of downtown Culver City.
Source: Andrea Binz, 2021.
6 DRAFT
CITY TEAM
PARKS, RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Ted Stevens, Director
Adam Ferguson, Senior Management Analyst
Dani Cullens, RCS Manager
Francisca Castillo, RCS Manager
Angelica Reyes, RCS Coordinator
David Oubre, RCS Coordinator
Meghan Stebbings, RCS Coordinator
Daniella Gutierrez, RCS Coordinator
Melanie Morales, RCS Coordinator
Mike Odunze, RCS Coordinator
Michelle Lee, RCS Supervisor
Kim Burgueno, RCS Supervisor
Jill Thomsen, RCS Supervisor
Matthew Withers, Parks Maintenance Supervisor
Gabriela Velasquez, Admin Clerk
Special thanks to the following
departments and interested
partners that participated in the
Parks Plan!
Culver City Department of Public Works
Culver City Department of Planning
Culver City Arts Foundation
Culver City Historical Society
Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD)
Environmental Sustainability Committee
Culver City Disability Advisory Committee
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 7
Figure 4. Washington Boulevard crosses Culver City and has blooming jacarandas in the spring. Source: OLIN, 2024. 8 DRAFT
OLIN
Planning, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design
Jessica M. Henson, Project Director
Andrew Dobshinsky
Joanna Karaman, Project Manager
Sarah Swanseen
Andrea Binz
Zoe Detweiler
THE ROBERT GROUP
Community Engagement
Christine Robert
Isaiah Ford
Christina Monzer
Brock Morgan
Mary Alice Williams
AGORA PARTNERS
Park Finance and Planning
Ben Donsky
Howard Kozloff
Rodrigo Rodarte
GEOSYNTEC
Water Resources
Mark Hanna
Stephanie Zinn
Alyssa Yu
Kimberly Goins
LELAND SAYLOR
Cost Estimation
Jeff Saylor
PARKS PLAN TEAM
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION .......................................... 13 1 | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................15 Vision, Mission, Goals .......................................................................................................................... 21 Engaging Culver City Park Users ............................................................................................... 22 T
he Future of Culver City Parks ................................................................................................... 26 2 | PLANNING CONTEXT ..........................................31 General Plan 2045 ................................................................................................................................ 33 Parks and Recreation Mast
er Plan Update ....................................................................... 34 Urban Forest Mast
er Plan ................................................................................................................ 34 St
ormwater Quality Master Plan ............................................................................................... 35 Ha
zard Mitigation Plan ..................................................................................................................... 35 Culver City Emergency Oper
ations Plan ............................................................................. 36 Str
ategic Plan ........................................................................................................................................... 36 Bicy
cle & Pedestrian Action Plan .............................................................................................. 37 Culv
er City Complete Streets Design Guidelines ......................................................... 37 Microgrid Feasibility Report .......................................................................................................... 38 Energy Action Plan ............................................................................................................................... 38 Culv
er City Turf Report ...................................................................................................................... 39 Feasibility Study for V
eterans Memorial Park and Bill Botts Fields ................ 40 3 | ENGAGEMENT .................................................... 43 Community Meetings ........................................................................................................................ 44 Pop Ups ......................................................................................................................................................... 48 Y
outh Camp ............................................................................................................................................... 51 Staf
f Design Workshops ................................................................................................................... 52 PRCS C
ommission ................................................................................................................................ 54 Disability A
dvisory Committee .................................................................................................... 54 Int
erested Organization Meetings ........................................................................................... 55 A
gency Outreach ................................................................................................................................... 55 Analog and Digital A
wareness .................................................................................................... 56 Community-Wide Public Sur
vey Results ............................................................................ 58 Public Dr
aft Comment Period .................................................................................................... 59 II. PLAN .........................................................28 4 | PLANNING FRAMEWORK ....................................71 Vision ............................................................................................................................................................... 71 Mission ........................................................................................................................................................... 71 Goals, A
ctions, and Methods. ....................................................................................................... 73
1. Provide equitable ac
cess to parks and parks facilities. .............................. 73
2. Int
egrate sustainability and climate resiliency into parks management, design, and construction. .................................................................. 77
3. Strengthen recreational, arts, and cultur
al programming for
all ages. ................................................................................................................................................. 81
4. Preser
ve and enhance natural habitats by supporting
biodiversity and ecosystem connectivity. .................................................................. 85
5. Increase c
apital budget funding and staff longevity. ................................. 89 10 DRAFT
5 | SYSTEM SCALE .................................................... 93 Parkland........................................................................................................................................................ 96 Programming ........................................................................................................................................112 Arts and Culture ..................................................................................................................................122 W
ater ............................................................................................................................................................128 Ec
ology and Resilience ..................................................................................................................138 6 | SITE SCALE .........................................................14 9 Culver City Park ....................................................................................................................................163 Vet
erans Memorial Park ................................................................................................................169 Blair Hills Park .......................................................................................................................................173 Blanc
o Park .............................................................................................................................................177 Carlson Park ............................................................................................................................................181 Culv
er West Alexander Park .......................................................................................................185 El Marino Park .......................................................................................................................................189 Fo
x Hills Park ..........................................................................................................................................193 Lindberg Park ........................................................................................................................................197 Sy
d Kronenthal Park ........................................................................................................................201 T
ellefson Park .........................................................................................................................................205 C
oombs Parkette ................................................................................................................................209 Fo
x Hills Parkette ................................................................................................................................211 III. IMPLEMENTATION ................................... 213 7 | PRIORITIZATION, COSTS, AND FUNDING .......... 2 15 Prioritizing Projects ...........................................................................................................................216 Cost Opinion
...........................................................................................................................................218 Funding Opportunities ..................................................................................................................222 Re
venue Generation ........................................................................................................................228 Budget and Staf
fing .........................................................................................................................230 Oper
ations and Maintenance ...................................................................................................232 8 | IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX ............................... 239 IV. Resources ............................................... 247 Table of Figures ....................................................................................................................................248 Endnotes ...................................................................................................................................................262 Glossar
y ......................................................................................................................................................258 CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 11
Figure 5. Carlson Park is a place where many community members enjoy passive recreation like picnicking in the shade of mature trees.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
12 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N
SECTION I:
INTRODUCTION
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 13
Figure 6. The playground at Veterans Memorial Park is used frequently by Culver City residents and neighbors. Source: OLIN, 2024. 14 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
The quality of the landscape in Culver City captures
the hearts of residents and visitors. Since the city
was founded in 1917, parks and open spaces have
been central to the community’s character. From
recreation to environment to arts and culture,
Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services (PRCS) support the foundational well-
being and quality of life in the city.
Culver City’s nearly 90-acre network of parks and
recreational areas owned and operated by PRCS
serves close to 40,000 residents as well as visitors
from surrounding communities in the region. 1
Additional parklands and greenways connect to
this network, forming a robust series of resources for
Culver City and surrounding cities. In future decades,
population increases up to 50% are expected in the
Culver City General Plan 2045, putting increased
pressure on the existing parks network. Additionally,
climate instability and environmental compliance
factors will put additional demands on the parks
system.
This Culver City Parks Plan (Parks Plan) envisions
the next generation of Culver City’s parks by
analyzing areas of need and opportunity through
the lens of equity and proposes improvements
in facilities and programming that support the
community-driven vision, mission, and goals.
Extensive engagement with the community, city
departments, partner agencies, and nonprofits
informed the Parks Plan. A series of system and
park-by-park recommendations are part of the plan.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY1|
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 15
Culver City PRCS owns and
operates 1 3 parks.
CULVER CITY PARKS
Figure 7. Culver City PRCS owns and operates 13 parks. Source: LA County GIS Data Portal, Countywide Parks and Open Space, Countywide Multi-Use Trails, LA County Bikeways, & Significant Ecological Area, 2022; Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LARIAC), 20 1 6.
Tellefson Park
1.5 acres
Coombs Parkette
0.5 acres
Culver West Alexander Park
3. 1 acres
Carlson Park
2.5 acres
Veterans Memorial Park
1 6. 1 acres
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
Los Angeles County Parks
State Parks
Significant Ecological Areas
Countywide Multi-Use Trails
Water
TRANSIT
Bikeways
Roads
Freeways
Parking Lots
Building Footprints
Schools
Points of Interest+
16 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
City Hall
Culver City Public Works
+
+
+
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Culver City Park
34. 1 acres
Syd Kronenthal Park
6. 1 acres
Lindberg Park
4.2 acres
Blanco Park
3. 1 acres
El Marino Park
1.6 acres
Fox Hills Park
1 0.0 acres
Fox Hills Parkette
0.8 acres
Blair Hills Park
1.8 acres
0 N
1/4 1/2 mile
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 17
Figure 8. Community members socialize in Carlson Park on a sunny day. Source: OLIN, 2024. 18 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
Parks are the heartbeat
of Culver City, bringing
together people of all
ages and backgrounds
to recharge and inspire
joy in vibrant natural
environments that honor
our shared history
and community.
VISION
An aspirational
statement of what the
ideal future is like!
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 19
To provide for the wellbeing of
Culver City residents by supporting
diverse, safe, and equitable
opportunities for recreation,
learning, and arts while protecting
our most valued natural and
cultural resources.
MISSION
Figure 9. Downtown Culver City sits between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Baldwin Hills. Source: Andrea Binz, 2021.
Defines what the
organization does or
stands for day to day
20 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
As part of the Parks Plan, the community
provided extensive input that formed the basis
for the project Vision, Mission, and Goals. The
vision statement was crafted to align with existing
Culver City goals, such as those outlined in the
General Plan 2045 Parks Element and defines
an ideal future state of Culver City parks. The
mission statement is intended to guide day-to-
day operations that work toward the larger vision.
VISION: AN ASPIRATIONAL STATEMENT OF WHAT
THE IDEAL FUTURE IS LIKE.
Parks are the heartbeat of Culver City, bringing
together people of all ages and backgrounds
to recharge and inspire joy in vibrant natural
environments that honor our shared history and
community.
MISSION: DEFINES WHAT THE ORGANIZATION
DOES OR STANDS FOR DAY TO DAY.
To provide for the wellbeing of Culver City
residents by supporting diverse, safe, and equitable
opportunities for recreation, learning, and arts while
protecting our most valued natural and cultural
resources.
VISION, MISSION, GOALS
Provide equitable access to
parks and park facilities.
Integrate sustainability and
climate resiliency into parks
management, design, and
construction.
Strengthen recreational,
arts, and cultural
programming for all ages.
Preserve and enhance natural
habitats by supporting
biodiversity and ecosystem
connectivity.
Increase capital budget
funding and staff longevity.
GOALS
Figure 10. The five goals of the Culver City Parks Plan are driven by extensive community input.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 21
The Culver City Parks Plan
uses a community-based
approach to planning and
is rooted in accessibility,
equity, and meeting people
where they are.
Through surveys, meetings, pop ups, online social
media postings, an interactive website, commission
presentations, kids camps, printed banners, and
analog flyers and mailers, thousands of residents
were involved in the planning process.
A variety of Culver City residents provided their
thoughts and ideas, from young children of four to
five years old to seniors who have lived in Culver City for over 40 years. Residents of various abilities and
backgrounds were involved. The feedback received
from this process included how community
members use parks facilities, community services,
and programming, and what they would like to see
in the future. The community also gave feedback
on priorities for the parks system moving forward,
which became the basis for the vision, mission,
goals, system proposals, park proposals, and project
prioritization in the plan.
ENGAGING CULVER CITY
PARK USERS
Figure 11. Pop-up events allowed the Parks Plan team to talk directly with Culver City park users. Source: PRCS, 2024.
Figure 12. The Parks Plan team heard questions and concerns from neighbors at community meetings. Source: PRCS, 2024.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK IS
FOUNDATIONAL
Reaching Culver City residents from
across the entire city and its various
neighborhoods prioritizes equitable
access for all.
22 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
Figure 13. PRCS staff participated in activities to give feedback and inform the Parks Plan at a staff visioning workshop in Spring 2024.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 14. The Parks Plan engaged with hundreds of residents and park users at the annual Fiesta La Ballona. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 15. Pop up events were held across numerous locations, times of day, and days of the week to reach varied user groups.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 23
Carlson Park
Blanco Park
Tellefson Park
Coombs ParketteSyd Kronenthal
Park
Fox Hills Park
Figure 16. All 13 Culver City parks. Source: OLIN, 2024.
YOUR
CULVER
CITY
PARKS
24 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
Fox Hills Parkette Lindberg Park Culver West
Alexander Park
El Marino Park
Blair Hills Park
Culver City ParkVeterans
Memorial Park
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 25
PRCS owns and operates two community parks,
nine neighborhood parks, and two parkettes. The
parks are beloved, high-value places with extensive
programming, vegetation, and connections to
surrounding neighborhoods. In addition to the
parks owned and operated by PRCS, city residents
and visitors have access to other open spaces
owned and managed by other entities, effectively
increasing the number of park acres and park
facilities available to residents and visitors alike.
The Parks Plan focuses on not only park-by-park
recommendations within the PRCS system but
also on the parks system as a whole.
THE FUTURE OF CULVER CITY PARKS
NEEDS
Park Need
Acreage Per Person, Distance
to Park, Park Pressure,
Amenities, Connectivity,
Facility Conditions
Water Need
Flood and Stormwater
Mapping
Ecological Need
Shade Canopy, Urban-
Wildland Interface, Regional
Connectivity, Fire Risk
EQUITY + COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
26 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
OPPORTUNITY
Existing Parkland
Potential Acquisitions
Partnerships
Schools, Streetscapes,
Private and Nonprofit Assets
To make decisions, the
Parks Plan is based on
a needs analysis and an
opportunity analysis that
come together to inform
plan recommendations
through a lens of equity
across the city.
EQUITY + COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 27
Across the System
Needs: This Parks Plan demonstrates a need for
31.5 acres of parkland today and 94.5 acres in
the future. With growing population demands,
pressure on parks will increase if no new land for
parks can be found, and some parks and programs
already have high pressure due to the population
density. In addition to parkland needs, this Parks
Plan considers water, ecology and resilience, arts
and culture, and budgets and staffing. Many of
these elements are components of the design,
maintenance, and success of the PRCS parks and
facilities.
Opportunities: The Parks Plan presents systematic
opportunities to address the current and increasing
needs across the city. These span from increasing
parkland utilization in existing PRCS parks and
re-examining the city’s relationships through
joint use and developer fees and parkland
dedications, to proposing stormwater and water
quality management strategies that further city
initiatives. Opportunities for improving ecological
health and function as well as improving resilience
and water usage across the city’s parks are critical
components to informing the next decade of
operations throughout the system.
Within Each Park
Needs: The Parks Plan reviews park needs on a site
scale based on community and PRCS staff input.
The condition of many facilities is fairly good as
compared to other park facilities in the Southern
California Region, however, residents note there
are needs for upgrades. Many elements in need of
upgrades are still beloved by community members
despite their conditions.
Opportunities: The Parks Plan includes a concept
design for each park owned and operated by
PRCS. These designs amplify opportunities in
parks, propose new uses in underutilized areas,
enhance natural ecosystems, and create more
accessible parklands. Each park’s design seeks
to specifically respond to requests and needs
shared by community members. Additionally,
the park designs help demonstrate how multi-
benefit scenarios that help address stormwater
need, ecology need, and programmatic need can
support communities.
Culver City is home to
two community parks,
defined as parks over 1 5
acres: Culver City Park and
Veterans Memorial Park.
Implementation and Funding
Needs: Analysis of the parks and park systems
demonstrates needs for additional capital and
operations and maintenance budgets as well as
a system for prioritizing which improvements will
be made first. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred
high utilization of parks and resulted in greater
sustained use in the years that followed. While the
existing PRCS budget has increased over the past
decade, with the exception of the period during
the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for more
resources to meet the growing community usage
of parks.
Opportunities: The third section of this plan focuses
on implementation and includes a matrix that
identifies how the goals, actions, and methods
can be met over time. There are specific chapters
that also identify opportunities for prioritization of
projects, funding, and operations and maintenance.
Moving Forward
The future of Culver City Parks is bright thanks
to the thoughtfulness of Culver City through the
decades to set aside space for parks, the dedicated
leadership of PRCS staff, and the passion for parks
demonstrated by the thousands of community
members that love and use the park system.
This plan provides the next steps for the coming
decades. Read each of the three sections to explore
the proposals and ideas!
28 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ExECUTIVE SUmm ARY
Figure 17. Culver City Park is Culver City’s largest community park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 29
Figure 18. Culver City maintenance staff upkeep the various court spaces at Veterans Memorial Park. Source: OLIN, 2024. 30 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
PL
ANNINg
Co NTExT
Culver City is an innovative municipality with a
rich history of planning for city services. Many
existing plans, including the new General Plan
2045, include and forefront the importance of
the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
(PRCS) system. Many parallel efforts also include
recommendations and goals for parks in the
system. It is critical to understand past planning
efforts to coordinate and integrate the work of other
departments and initiatives throughout the city as
a beginning point for the Parks Plan.
The previous Culver City Parks Plan was completed
in 2009. Major goals of the previous plan included:
improving park facilities, expanding recreational
programming, developing capital improvement
plans, and adopting park maintenance standards.
While the 2009 plan was never adopted, some
of the elements proposed in the plan have been
achieved as of fall 2024.
The Parks Plan process coincided with the
completion and adoption of the General Plan 2045
which envisions the next 20 years for the city. The
General Plan included PRCS as a critical component
of the city’s future, including level of service (LOS)
acreage and walking distance goals for the city
as well as equity priorities. These items are part
of the basis for this Parks Plan. The General Plan
2045 Parks and Recreation element emphasizes
sustainability, equity, accessibility, connectivity,
increasing park acres, increasing park amenities,
increasing capital and maintenance funding for
parks, and improving park maintenance. This Parks
Plan offers the opportunity to expand on these
priorities to serve the residents and visitors of Culver City.
Parks and other open spaces throughout the city can
provide opportunities to meet the city’s stormwater
management compliance requirements. Parks can
be used as spaces for infiltration or capture and use
for irrigation. Culver City’s 2021 Stormwater Quality
Master Plan (SWQMP) outlined many opportunities
to route stormwater flows to park areas. Multi-
benefit strategies for park design can meet
stormwater needs while also providing funding for
park enhancements as part of joint development
proposals between water management and park
improvements.
During the Parks Plan process, over 20 existing plans
were reviewed as part of the PRCS context. Thirteen
of the most influential plans prepared by Culver
City are summarized in this chapter including their
significance to the Parks Plan. Other plans such
as the LA County Parks Needs Assessment were
reviewed and are cited throughout this document
even though they were not prepared by Culver City
directly. Other ongoing initiatives reviewed as part
of the planning process include the Culver City
Age-Friendly City Initiative and Reimagine Fox Hills.
PLANNING CONTEXT2|
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 31
Figure 19. Lindberg Park provides shaded gathering places for the community. Source: OLIN, 2024. 32 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
PL
ANNINg
Co NTExT
Title: Culver City General Plan 2045 Final Draft
Date: 2024
Prepared by: City of Culver City
Summary: The Culver City draft General Plan 2045
contains the vision for the future of Culver City in
2045. The plan studied the history and current
conditions of the city in order to project future
population trends, needs, and policies. Topics of
significance to the Parks Plan that are included
in the General Plan 2045 include a heavy focus
on sustainability, prioritizing focus on SB 1000
Equity Communities, access to arts and culture,
the need for multi-modal and carbon-free transit,
the need for improving air quality, the history of
discriminatory practices such as redlining which
have led to current inequities in the city, the rising
cost of housing, the pressures of displacement,
phasing out the Inglewood Oil Field (IOF) by 2035
(78 acres of the IOF are in Culver City), and the
increase in the number of jobs in the City.
Notable statistics key to the Parks Plan:
• Projected 2045 Population: 62,400 (2021
population: 40,640)
• Projected 2045 Jobs: 84,300 (2019 jobs:
68,040)
• Number of A
cres of Park Goal: 3 acres/1,000
residents (maintaining current goal).
• Parklands are 4% of Culv
er City land use
• Most parks are c
onsidered critical facilities
within the City
The plan identifies that a formal community
benefits structure for parks and recreation capital
funding could be an opportunity to receive land
and/or financing for parks and facilities when
developers or companies are doing projects in
Culver City. The General Plan also includes many
policy items directly connected and tangentially
related to the Parks Plan, including issues of tree
canopy, recreational activity, Ballona Creek, Public/
Private partnerships, arts and culture programming
in underserved areas, hillside views, stormwater
quality, and multimodal transportation.
GENERAL PLAN 2045
GreenValleyCir
Helms Bakery
District
Culver City
Arts District
Hayden Tract
Cultural
Corridor
Downtown
Culver City
SONY PICTURES
STUDIOS
AMAZON
STUDIOS APPLE
BALDWIN HILLS
SCENIC OVERLOOK
CULVER CITY
TRANSIT
CENTER
ROBERTSON
TRANSIT HUB
WEST LOS ANGELES
TRANSIT CENTER
WESTFIELD
CULVER CITY
Local Features
Map
°0 0.5 10.25
Miles
Sources: City of Culver City (2021);
County of Los Angeles (2021); ESRI (2021).
City Limits
Sphere of Influence
Metro Station
E Line (Expo)
Major Roads
Local Roads
Parks and Open Space
Waterbody
![ Local Featured Places
Ballona Creek
Featured Districts
Cultural Corridor
Culver City Arts District
Downtown Culver City
Hayden Tract
Helms Bakery District
FIGURE XX
City of Los Angeles
West Los
Angeles College
Ballona Creek
Marina Del Rey
Ladera Heights
(Unincorporated County)
City of Santa
Monica
Washington Blvd.
SepulvedaBlvd.
OverlandAve.CulverBlvd.
Slauson Ave.
Duquesne Ave.
National Blvd.
Bristol Park w
ay
Washington Pl.
Inglewood Oil Field
Baldwin Hills
City of Los Angeles
Jefferson Blvd.
Washington Blvd.
Unincorporated
County
Venice Blvd.
La Cienega Blvd.
VeniceBlvd.
Venice Blvd.
Washington Blvd.
La Cienega Blvd.Sepulveda Blvd.
FIGu RE 3
25General Plan Background
Public Draft
Released September 29, 2023
Figure 20. The General Plan assesses current conditions of the city as a whole, such as local important features . Source: General Plan 2045, City of Culver City, California: Public Draft General Plan, 2023 September 29. Page 25.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 33
Title: Culver City Urban Forest Master Plan
Date: 2015
Prepared by: Culver City Public Works and Culver
City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Summary: The Urban Forest Master Plan introduces
the concept of the urban forest and outlines the
multiple benefits of a robust urban tree canopy,
including shade, reduced costs for heating and
cooling, improved water quality, and reduced
pollution. The plan describes how the urban forest
contributes to the character of Culver City streets
and creates a park-like environment connecting
to the city’s park system.
Many of the inventoried trees had been planted
in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Therefore, many of the
current-day trees are mature but also approaching
the end of their lifespan. The replacement of trees
as they age was highlighted as an opportunity
to allow more climate adapted and diverse tree
species to be planted. Certain key streets were
identified as having an identity tree that would be
planted along its length, to enhance wayfinding
within the city. Recommendations were provided
based on community feedback and addressed a
range of scales.
The urban forest is the ecosystem of plants and people in the city The Urban Forest Is An Ecosystem
The term “urban forest” puts emphasis on
the ecosystem (the interconnected system
of living and non-living elements), whereas
the term “street trees” emphasizes trees as
isolated objects. When we use the phrase
“urban forest” we are talking about more than
just street trees; we are also talking about the
connections between people, plants, air, water,
animals, and climate in the city. This allows for
a larger scope of thinking, management, and
planning; this approach relates urban plants
to broader goals for resource management,
conservation, and ecosystem health.
what is the urban forest?
Urban Forestry Is A Multidisciplinary Field
The concept of the urban forest and the field
of urban forestry emerged in the 1970s2,
reflecting the paradigm shift that accompanied
the development of the concept of ecology.
Ecology recognized the importance of studying
the interconnections between organisms and
communities. Just as the term “urban forest”
describes an interconnected system, so too does
the field of urban forestry create connections
among diverse fields of knowledge and
practice, including horticulture, arboriculture,
urban design, landscape architecture, history,
conservation, and government.
The Urban Forest is a Cultural Resource
In some places, the urban forest includes
significant remnants of natural forests,
however, in most places (including Culver City)
the majority of plants in the city are planted
and managed by people. People create the
urban forest as a way to make the city more
comfortable and more beautiful: planting an
allee of trees along a street tranforms this
utilitarian public infrastructure into an amenity3.
There is a long history of plants being used in
urban design to shape the form and function of
the city.
The concept of the “urban forest” is relatively new, although what it describes- the ecosystem of plants and people in the city- is as old as cities themselves1. The term is not always immediately understood, so it is useful to examine it more closely. 12 | CULVER CITY URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN
Chapter 2 - INTRODUCTION
URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN
Figure 21. An urban forest such as Culver CIty’s presents unique challenges. Source: City of Culver City, Culver City Urban Forestry Master Plan, Page 12. 2015.
Culver City Urban Forest Master Plan
City of Culver City, California, 2015
Title: City of Culver City Parks and Recreation
Master Plan Update
Date: 2009
Prepared by: City of Culver City
Summary: The 2009 Parks Master Plan for Culver
City was the most recent parks plan for the city.
The plan was never officially adopted due to the
Great Recession and other city priorities at the
time. The document focused on the questions of
what is needed in the parks and approached the
proposals from a realistic nature. The document
is primarily text based, so specific formal design
interventions are not included in the plan. The
document is structured into an existing inventory, a
needs analysis, a park land dedication and impact
fees section, recommendations, 12 priority policies,
and implementation strategies.
Some concepts from this plan are being moved
forward into the plan update, while others may
be outdated based on the city’s current direction.
Part of the current Parks Plan process included an
evaluation of what was completed between 2009
and 2024 that was proposed in the previous plan.
HOLY CROSS
CEMETERY
HILLSIDE
MEMORIAL
CEMETERY
VENI CE HS
WEST
LOS ANGELE S
CO LLEGE
CULVER CI T Y
HS & MS
HAMI LT ON
HS
MA RK
TW AI N MS
MA RI NA
DEL RAY
MS
LA T I JERA
ES
FARRAG UT
ES
STONER
ES
WEBST ER
MS
PALMS
MS
WALGROV E
AVE E S
SHO RT
ES
RI CHLAND
AVE E S
CLO VER
AVE E S PALMS
ES
FRANK D
PARENT ES
MA R
VI STA
ES
CULVER
PARK HS
BRA DDO CK
DR E S
OVERLAND ES
EL RI NCO N
ES
GRANDV I EW
BLVD ES
CHARNOCK
RO AD ES
SOUTHERN
CAL I FO RNI A
I NS TI T UTE OF
ARCHI T ECTURE
MA RVI N
AVE E S
CAS TLE
HEI GHTS ES
HO WE E S
PLAYA
DEL REY
ES
LA BALLONA
ES
BEET HO VEN
STREET ES
CO EUR D'ALE NE
AVE E S
WI LDWOOD
ES
BALDWI N HI LLS
ES - MAGNET
ST J EROME
ES
WI NDWA RD
MS & HS
ST G ERA RD
MA JELLA E S
FRANCAI S DE
LOS ANGELE S HS
ST MARK
ES
ST J OAN
OF ARC E S
REDEE MER
BAPT I ST S CHO OL
REDEE MER
BAPI ST SCHOOL
EL MARI NO
ES
ST AUGUST I NE
ES
FOX HILLS
MALL
KAISER FOUNDATION HOSP WEST LA
DANIEL
FREEMAN
MARINA
HOSPITAL
VENCOR
LA COUNTY
HOSPITAL
BROTMAN
MEDICAL CENTER
Culver City
Park
Lade
El Marino
Park
Fox Hills
Park
Culver Slauson
Park
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Lindberg
Park
Veterans
Memorial
Park
Blanco
Park
Culver West
Alexander Park
Tellefson
Park
Blair Hills
Park
Dr Carlson
Memorial Park
Coombs
Park
Kenneth
Hahn
State
RecArea
Mar Vista
Recreation Center
Admiralty
Park
Stoner
Playground
Burton
Chace Park
Glen Alla
Park
Media
Park
Palms
Park
Baldwin Hills
Rec Center
Westside
Park
Mar Vista
Gardens
Reynier
Park
Genesee Avenue Park
LA C I N E G A B LV D
L O S A N G E L E S
L O S A N G E L E S
L A D E R A
H E I G H T S /
V I E W P A R K -
W I N D S O R H I L L S
GRE EN VALLEY
C
IR
S A N T A
M O N I C A
M A R I N A D E L R E Y
I N G L E W O O D
L O S A N G E L E S
L O S A N G E L E S
B
a
l l o n a
C
r
e
e
k
A I R P O R T
C
ULVER BLVD
STAT E HWY 187
CENT I NELA AV E
NAT I ONAL BLVD
V i a
WASHI NGTON PL
FI J I WAY
BEET HO VEN S T
PLAYA ST
GAT EWAY BLVD
E x i t 2
WASHI NGTON BLVD
BUNDY DR
J E F F E R S O N B LV D
C E N T I N E L A AVE
CULVER BLVD
OVERLAND AVE
WASHI NGTON BLVD
JEF FE RS ON BLVD
JEF FE RS ON BLVD
SLAUSON AVE
S
E
P
U
L
V
E
D
A
B
L
V
D
JE
F
FE
RSON B LV D
NAT I ONAL BLVD
OVERLAND AVE
S l a u s
WASHI NGTON BLVD
90 405
10 0 0.25 0.5
Miles
Data Sources: City of Culver & ESRI USA
Community & Neighborhood
P
Showing Barriers to Access
ark Service Areas
Barrier
0.5 Mile Service Area
2.5 Mile Service Area
Parks & Recreation
Master Plan
Culver City, California
Major Road
Highway
BikePath
Water
Other Park
City Limits
Other City
Landslide Area
Cemetery
Neighborhood Park
Mini Park
School
Community Park
Exhibit 5.1
March 2009
PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER
PLAN UPDATE
Figure 22. The 2009 Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update included assessment of service areas of Culver City parks. Source:
City of Culver City, Culver City Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Page 111. 2009.
Final Draft
planning | design | communications | management | technology 801 n h arbor Blvd | Fullerton, ca 92832 | 714.871.3638 | www.migcom.com
parks and recreation
master plan update
final draft
march 31, 2009
34 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // PL ANNINg Co NTExT
Title: Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
Date: 2024
Prepared by: City of Culver City and the Culver
City Unified School District
Summary: The Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) is
part of an effort to reduce future losses to human life and property resulting from natural disasters and
human-caused hazards. Some applicable hazards
identified in the MJHMP include, drought, flood,
landslide/mudflow, and more, as well as climate
change, which has the potential to exacerbate
hazards.
The MJHMP also identified a number of parks
as critical facilities for the safety and security
community lifeline during post-disaster stabilization
efforts. Redevelopment of parks and associated
new assets and infrastructure at these critical
facilities should not negatively impact community
lifelines. Additionally, the hazard vulnerability and
risk analysis performed in the MJHMP provides
useful items to consider when redesigning critical
parks based on the applicable hazards and help
predict the extent of loss to park assets as a result
of those hazards.
Title: Stormwater Quality Master Plan
Date: 2021
Prepared by: City of Culver City
Summary: The Stormwater Quality Master Plan
(SWQMP) identifies stormwater capture projects
and helps to achieve compliance through capital
stormwater project implementation. There were
three categories of projects evaluated in the
SWQMP: regional projects, larger, centralized
facilities for managing water, such as basins and
underground vaults, green street projects, such as
bioretention planters along roads, and Low-Impact
Development (LID) projects, such as rain gardens
and permeable pavement.
Some regional stormwater projects are proposed
within city parks and impact decisions around
redevelopment of parks as part of the proposed
Parks Plan, including six parks sites with high
potential for stormwater project implementation.
The SWQMP includes concept designs and
considerations for the proposed stormwater
projects.
PROJECT WATERSHED SITE DESCRIPTION
Fox Hills Park is located at the southeastern
edge of Culver City.
The concept plan includes an underground
storage for infiltration under the park, as well
as the opportunity to capture and reuse
stormwater for park irrigation. The BMP
footprint would have potential capacity to
capture 100% of the 85th percentile storm
event runoff volume from the 38.89-acre
watershed.
Stormwater would be diverted from an
existing storm drain in Buckingham Parkway. A
pump structure would be needed to convey
the water from the pretreatment system into
the storage chambers. Stored water would
ideally be infiltrated, pending geotechnical
study and constraints.
Harvested water could also be used for reuse
as irrigation in the park, with potential to
supply approximately 30% of the potable
irrigation demand. Reuses of harvested water
for toilet flushing may be considered, pending
evaluation of the restroom conditions.
Five dry wells will be installed at the park to
provide supplemental infiltration. The actual
number and location will depend on site-
specific geotechnical conditions.
DESIGN CRITERIA
Precipitation, 85th percentile, 24-hr storm (in) 1.1
Runoff Volume, 85th percentile, 24-hr storm (ac-ft) 2.4 Peak Discharge, 85th Percentile, 24-hr storm (cfs) 7.4
Infiltration Rate (in/hr) 0.25
WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS
Watershed Area (ac) 38.89
Impervious Area (%) 70
Dominant Land Use Residential - Low Density Multi Family
PROJECT SITE INFORMATION
Land Owner Culver City
Street Address Green Valley Cir &, Buckingham Pkwy
Latitude / Longitude 33 58 59.2N, -118 23 10.9W
Culver City Stormwater Quality Master Plan
Priority Concept Project: R3 Fox Hills Park
HAZARD MITIGATION PLANSTORMWATER QUALITY
MASTER PLAN
Figure 23. Community participation was used to help assess the city’s mitigation readiness. Source: City of Culver City, Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, Page 506. 2023.
Figure 24. The stormwater capture area of Fox Hills Park extends to the northeast of the park. Source: City of Culver City, Culver City Stormwater Quality Master Plan, Page 136, 2021.
City of Culver City and
Culver City Unified
School District
Multi-Jurisdictional
Hazard Mitigation
Plan
March 2024
Draft Submittal to Cal OES
March 8, 2024
August 2020 1
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 35
Title: 2018-2023 Strategic Plan
Date: 2018
Prepared by: City Council of the City of Culver
City
Summary: The Strategic Plan outlines some of
the key elements that the Council is focused on.
Several of the priorities have a potential relationship to the Parks Plan, including sustainability,
revitalizing Ballona Creek, and creating a green
infrastructure future for the Inglewood Oil Field.
Specific recommendations around expanding
public/private partnerships, increasing city revenue
through corporate taxes, and increasing coffee
concessions at parks and other public areas are
mentioned.
Title: Emergency Operations Plan 2024
Date: 2024
Prepared by: City of Culver City
Summary: The Emergency Operations Plan
outlines a city-wide programmatic framework for
preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and
mitigating natural and human-caused disasters.
The plan builds on the Hazard Mitigation Plan, and
is meant to supplement existing procedures and
systems in place. The plan identifies emergency
response policies and assigns specific roles and
responsibilities to City departments, agencies,
and community partners. A city-wide Emergency
Management Organization (EMO) and Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) are outlined in detail.
The document highlights the importance of parks
and public facilities in the services and refuges that
they can provide the community in emergency
events. For example, the Veterans Memorial
Auditorium is identified in the plan as the second
alternate location for the city government in the
event that the City Hall building and Fire Station
No. 1 are inoperable.
Basic Plan 55 July 2024
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
CITY OF CULVER CITY
Chart 3-1
Los Angeles County Operational Area Disaster Management Areas, Cities, and Unincorporated Areas
STRATEGIC PLANCULVER CITY EMERGENCY
OPERATIONS PLAN
Figure 25. The City Council created the 2018 Strategic Plan. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
Figure 26. Los Angeles county is divided into disaster management areas. Source: City of Culver City, Emergency Operations Plan 2024 Public Draft, Page 55, 2024.
City Council of the
City of Culver City
Strategic Plan
Retreat S umm ary and Stra tegic Plan
Adop ted Octo ber 22, 2018
Facilitator: Yolanda J. Gorman, MBA, Ph.D.
1 36 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // PL ANNINg Co NTExT
Title: Bicycle & Pedestrian Action Plan
Date: 2020
Prepared by: Culver City Public Works
Summary: This plan is an update to the previous
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan adopted in
2010. It is based on Culver City’s commitment to
the health, safety, and well-being of its residents,
highlighting the social, environmental, and
community health impacts associated with an
improved active transportation network. The
plan is structured around five goals including
accessibility, connectivity, health, safety, affordability, equity, and collaboration.
The main actions proposed focus on physical
network recommendations as well as policy
and “non-infrastructural” or people-based
recommendations. A “Bicycle and Pedestrian
Facility Design Guidelines” document provided as
an appendix to the plan provides best practices
and design standards for bike and pedestrian
accessibility and safety. The document provides
a review of national and state references for
these best practices. Another relevant appendix
includes planning-level analysis recommendations
for three identified “Opportunity Corridors” within
Culver City.
231
CULVER CITY BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN ACTION PLAN
Opportunity Corridors
Appendix C: Cross Sections of Streets
Appendix C: Cross Sections of Streets
BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN
ACTION PLAN
Figure 27. Improvements can be made in the city’s street system using people-based recommendations of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan. Source: Culver City Public Works, Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan, Page 231. 2020.
Final Adopted Plan - June 2020
BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN
ACTION PLAN
Title: Culver City Complete Streets Design
Guidelines Draft
Date: 2024
Prepared by: Culver City Public Works
Summary: These draft design guidelines classify
the streets in Culver City and provide a cohesive
set of required, recommended, and optional
design elements for each street category, ranging
from primary arterial to local streets. Current and
priority future active transportation corridors are
also identified. These guidelines are not meant as a
substitute for qualified designers and engineering
services for each project. Specific design elements
include wayfinding, curb extensions, street trees,
public art, and site furnishings such as bike racks.
These guidelines reference the Urban Forest Master
Plan for street tree planting recommendations
and emphasize the importance of public art in
creating interesting transportation routes for
pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
CULVER CITY COMPLETE STREETS
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Figure 28. Complete streets recommendations promote multi- modal transportation options. Source: Culver City Public Works, Culver City Complete Streets Design Guidelines Draft, Pages 48-49. 2024.
Complete
Streets
Design
Guidelines
EDITION 1 PUBLIC DRAFT | SEPTEMBER 2024
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 37
Title: City of Culver City Energy Action Plan
Date: 2016
Prepared by: Culver City Public Works and
Westside Energy Partnership
Summary: The Energy Action Plan was developed
to establish energy savings goals for the city’s
municipal operations and to help the city
achieve its greenhouse gas emission (GHG)
reduction targets. The report outlines energy
efficiency projects that were completed
between 2012 and 2016, that reduced the city’s
electricity use by a total of 1,541,140 kWh annually.
These projects included upgrades to the Plunge
Pool, Veterans Memorial, and Senior Center.
Additionally, the Culver City fleet of transit buses
runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) technology.
The Veterans Memorial Building is the third
highest electricity user for Culver City, behind
City Hall and the Transportation facility. Culver
City enrolled in The Westside Energy Partnership
and The Energy Network to help identify energy
efficiency opportunities in city facilities, track
projects, discover funding options, and maximize
the city’s incentives and rebates received from
Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Southern
California Gas Company (SCG).
ENERGY ACTION PLAN
Figure 30. Culver City runs all-electric and renewable natural gas- powered buses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Culver City
Energy Action Plan
October 2016
Title: City of Culver City Microgrid Feasibility
Report
Date: 2019
Prepared by: City of Culver City and Willdan
Summary: This report was prepared to understand
how to deliver energy resiliency to two sites in Culver City that serve as emergency shelters: Veterans
Memorial Park and the nearby Senior Center.
Three microgrid scenarios were evaluated, including
an Economic (Option A), Resilience Alternative 1
(Option B), and Resilience Alternative 2 (Option C).
Option C is the recommended scenario for meeting
the City’s expressed goals and needs, however,
it comes at the greatest total capital cost ($5.3
million). The report also states the city would be
purchasing 100% clean power for all of its sites
starting May 2019 through Los Angeles County’s
Clean Power Alliance. Following the release of the
Microgrid Feasibility Report, The General Plan 2045
includes microgrids as a suggested implementation
action for back up power under Element 11: Safety.
MICROGRID FEASIBILITY REPORT
Figure 29. Veterans Memorial Park is an emergency shelter in Culver City. Source: OLIN, 2024.
a
City of Culver City
Job No. 108159
Date: March 1, 2019
City of Culver City Microgrid
Feasibility Report
Solar PV, Energy Storage , and
Microgrid Feasibility Report
38 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // PL ANNINg Co NTExT
Title: Turf Consultant’s Report on Park Fields in
Culver City
Date: 2019
Prepared by: Culver City Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services
Summary: The Culver City Turf Report analyzes
the current conditions and operations and
maintenance practices of the turf fields in
Culver City parks. The report makes very specific
recommendations on how to improve the
performance of the turf in these fields through
operations and maintenance best practices. One
of the largest issues identified in that report is that many of the turf fields within the parks system
do not have time to rest and regenerate between
sports seasons. Additionally, improvements in
the irrigation systems and hiring additional
maintenance staff were emphasized in this report.
High performing turf species were listed as possible
replacements to the current mix found on Culver
City turf fields.
8 PRZ International Sports Turf Consulting. All rights reserved
Note the chart below titled Activity Weighted Hours by Week Vs Rainfall for the Culver City Park Fields.
The light blue area indicates actual hours on the field. The magenta area represents the activity weighted hours on this field and the light green area represents the average activity weighted hours for the year. The wear on these fields take place year-round with no rest period (approximately 38 activity weighted hours per week). The dark blue line represents your rainfall and some of your highest rainfall occurs during your heavier wear periods from October through December.
Play that takes place during the rainier months causes the most compaction and thus damaged turf. It will be critical that we insure that we have the proper drainage and strive to reduce play in these peak rainfall times (field shut down for so many hours after the rain has subsided, so they are not playing on saturated root zone) to insure sustainability.
CULVER CITY TURF REPORT
Figure 31. The Turf Report included a study of activity levels vs. rainfall in Culver City park fields. Source: Turf Consultant’s Report on Park Fields in Culver City, Page 9, 2019.
T u r f C o n s u l t a n t ' s R e p o r t
o n
P a r k F i e l d s i n C u l v e r C i t y
O c t o b e r 2 3 , 2 0 1 9
KEY DOCUMENTS
IN PROGRESS
The following documents are
in progress and will become
important references once
available:
• Fo
x Hills Specific Plan
• Hayden T
ract Specific Plan
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 39
Title: Veterans Memorial Park and Culver City
Park/Bill Botts Fields Redevelopment Feasibility
Study Final Report
Date: 2024
Prepared by: Culver City Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services
Summary: The Feasibility Study, completed
between 2023-2024, made redevelopment
recommendations and concept plans for the two
large-scale community parks within the Culver
City parks system, Culver City Park and Veterans
Memorial Park, to meet growing demands for
recreational and cultural spaces.
The study for Culver City Park recommended to
resolve needs by reorienting the existing baseball
fields to one level over a 400-space parking
garage, adding adult and AYSO soccer fields on a
separate level, creating a 3-court gymnasium and
multipurpose community classroom studios, and
building a sports court annex with an additional
100 parking spaces for pickleball, paddle tennis,
and/or tennis courts. Improvements to the Park to
Playa Trail connections were also proposed.2
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK VETERANS MEMORIAL PARKCULVER CITY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AND CULVER CITY PARK/BILL BOTTS FIELDS REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN CULVER CITY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AND CULVER CITY PARK/BILL BOTTS FIELDS REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN JOHNSON FAVARO March 1, 2024 JOHNSON FAVARO March 1, 2024 13
PARK PROSCENIUM
3- COURT GYMNASIUM
TOWER
CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
ARRIVAL COURT
AQUATICS CENTER
TERRACE AND
CONCESSION
(2) ROOFTOP PICKLE BALL
COURTS
500-SEAT THEATER
PARKING GARAGE ENTRY/
EXIT (AT EXISTING CURB
CUT)
(2) ROOFTOP TENNIS
COURTS
RECREATION POOL
30 FT SETBACK AND ALLEY
COMMUNITY MEETING AND
EVENT CENTER
AQUATICS CENTER
POOL HOUSE
300-SEAT BLACK BOX
THEATER
(2) ROOFTOP PICKLE BALL
COURTS
PARK SITE AT COMPLETION New facilities occupy the north 1/3 of the park site, expanded park the south 2/3 of the site.
CULVER CITY PARK/BILL BOTTS FIELDS CULVER CITY PARK/BILL BOTTS FIELDSCULVER CITY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AND CULVER CITY PARK/BILL BOTTS FIELDS REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN CULVER CITY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AND CULVER CITY PARK/BILL BOTTS FIELDS REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN JOHNSON FAVARO March 1, 2024 JOHNSON FAVARO March 1, 2024 57
ADULT SOCCER FIELD
SHARED WITH AYSO
CULVER CITY PARK
(NO CHANGE)
NEW HIKE/BIKE TRAIL
PRIVATELY OWNED
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
AYSO SOCCER FIELDS
STANDARD
LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDS
SMALL LITTLE LEAGUE
FIELD
(165 FT)
LARGE LITTLE LEAGUE/
WOMEN'S SOFTBALL FIELD
(50/70 X 235 FT)
CONCESSIONS, RE-
STROOMS, STAIRS AND
ELEVATORS UP FROM
PARKING GARAGE
BASKETBALL COURT
(NO CHANGE)
BALDWIN HILLS STATE
PARK TRAIL
AYSO SOCCER FIELDS
PARKING LOT
(NO CHANGE)
ADVENTURE
(NO CHANGE)
SKATE PARK
(NO CHANGE)
DOG PARK
(NO CHANGE)
PARKING GARAGE
ENTRANCE/EXIT
PLAYGROUND
(NO CHANGE)
CITY MAINTENANCE
FACILITIES (NO CHANGE)
BOARDWALK TRAIL
(NO CHANGE)
BILL BOTTS FIELDS AT COMPLETION OF REDEVELOPMENT The four ball fields accommodate boys and girls of all ages as well as women's softball. The soccer fields accommodate both adult and AYSO play. The sports courts annex accommodates any combination of pickleball, paddle tennis and tennis. The new hike bike trail ascents the hillside at a gentler rate than the existing boardwalk trail.
FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR VETERANS
MEMORIAL PARK AND BILL BOTTS FIELDS
Figure 32. The Feasibility Study recommended improvements to Culver City Park. Source: Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, Veterans Memorial Park and Culver City Park/ Bill Botts Fields Redevelopment Feasibility Study Final Report, Page 57, 2004.
Figure 33. The Feasibility Study recommended improvements to Veterans Memorial Park. Source: Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, Veterans Memorial Park and Culver City Park/ Bill Botts Fields Redevelopment Feasibility Study Final Report, Page 13, 2004.
The study for Veterans Memorial Park recommended
to resolve needs by replacing the Plunge pool with
a 3-pool aquatics center built over a 350-space
parking garage, replacing the existing Veterans
Memorial Building with a arts and community
center including a 500-seat theater, a 300-seat
black box theater, a Historical Society exhibition
gallery, and a 400-seat banquet hall as well as a
recreation center with a 3-court gymnasium, adult
fitness rooms, children and teen multipurpose
classrooms, two rooftop tennis courts, and two
rooftop pickleball courts. It also studied reorienting
the existing sports fields at ground level.3
At this time the final plan is not adopted or funded
and there are no specific implementation plans
in place. Some community members during
the Feasibility Study voiced concerns about the
lack of demand for the arts facilities listed in the
study. However, Culver City arts groups, such as the
Culver City Arts Foundation, have voiced support
for the development of a municipal arts center for
Culver City.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AND CULVER CITY PARK/BILL BOTTS FIELDS REDEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY
CITY OF CULVER CITY, CA
FINAL REPORT
JOHNSON FAVARO MARCH 1, 2024
40 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // PL ANNINg Co NTExT
Figure 34. Basketball is one of the active recreation opportunities at Veterans Memorial Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 41
Figure 35. The director of PRCS, Ted Stevens, speaks at community meeting at El Marino Park. Source: OLIN, 2024. 42 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
ENg Ag Em ENT
Community feedback is the foundation of the
Culver City Parks Plan. Thousands of residents and
visitors engaged in the Parks Plan process through
surveys, meetings, pop ups, online social media
posts, the website, commission meetings, kids
camps, and analog flyers and mailers. Community
engagement is critical to the success of Culver
City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
(PRCS) because community needs drive the
plan’s direction for priorities, funding, and staffing.
Culver City was eager to hear how community
members use parks facilities, community services,
and programming during the plan process. The
feedback yielded helpful guidance for the creation
of this plan and became the basis for the vision,
mission, goals, system proposals, park proposals,
and project prioritization in the plan.
Ongoing engagement and communication is
essential as projects are developed out of this plan.
PRCS will continue to communicate with residents
and visitors as projects progress and community
priorities adjust in the future. While this plan
represents a specific moment in time in relation
to specific facilities, the vision, mission, and goals
provide a framework for how the community has
chosen to move forward.
The following pages demonstrate the range of
engagement activities during the planning process
and the feedback received.
ENGAGEMENT3|
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 43
ENGAGEMENT AND PARKS PLAN TIMELINE
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Community meetings were facilitated to
communicate the goals of the Culver City Parks
Plan, analyze existing conditions, amenities,
services, scope of current park needs, and capture
community feedback. The Culver City Parks Plan
team held a total of four in-person and three virtual
community meetings throughout the planning
process. PRCS staff were present at all meetings
and available to answer questions. Spanish
language translation was available at all community
meetings. A large city map allowed participants to
indicate where they live and parks they frequently
use. Additionally, a series of informational boards
showing parks system analysis research and each
individual park plan allowed community members
to engage with the materials in an open-house
style format. Virtual meetings allowed for a way
to get feedback from those unable to attend in-
person meetings. Outreach and communications
in advance of meetings included physical flyers,
emails, and social media announcements.
Introducing the Parks Plan
(Community Meetings 1, 2, & 3)
The initial round of meetings introduced the Parks
Plan, planning wprocess, existing conditions, PRCS
amenities and services, and the Parks Plan team to
the community. The in-person meetings were held
at the recreation centers at Syd Kronenthal Park
on May 1, 2024, and at El Marino Park on May 14,
2024. The in-person community meeting format
consisted of a presentation by the Parks Plan team,
followed by an open house with informational
stations. Community members were encouraged
to actively pass through each station to learn
more about the Parks Plan, ask questions, discuss
with the Parks Plan team members, and provide
comments via sticky notes placed on plans of each
park on boards around the room.
Figure 36. The Parks Plan project timeline included four stages and many different types of outreach. Source: OLIN, 2024. 44 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
ENg Ag Em ENT
Figure 37. The Parks Plan team presented at community meeting #3 at El Marino Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 45
Figure 38. Many community members shared their thoughts at El Marino Park. Source: The Robert Group, 2024 Print surveys were provided to all attendees to
gather detailed feedback on the Culver City parks.
Fact sheets with general information about the
project were available for community members
to take home and included a QR code and link to
access the survey, the project website and online
StoryMap to encourage further digital engagement.
The virtual community meeting on May 2, 2024
featured the same introductory content and
presentation with a question and answer portion
which allowed participants to submit questions
virtually to be answered by the Parks Plan team. All
virtual community meetings during the planning
process were recorded and made available on the
Parks Plan website for community members and
park users who were unable to attend in person.
Summer Parks Plan Update
(Community Meeting 4)
The Virtual summer update meeting on July 23,
2024 focused on updating the community on the
survey and engagement findings, park needs and
opportunities and next steps followed by a question
and answer session. The Culver City Parks Plan
team also highlighted the pop-up events occurring
throughout the summer months as a way to engage
with the plan materials in-person.
Draft Parks Plan Review
(Community Meetings 5, 6, 7)
The three community meetings in the fall introduced
the Parks Plan and engaged the community in
feedback on draft early ideas. Meeting attendees
prioritized the draft park proposals through an
interactive value exercise. In-person meetings were
held at Culver West Alexander Park on September
24, 2024, and at Lindberg Park on October 2, 2024.
A virtual meeting was held on October 3, 2024. The Parks Plan focused on community-based planning.
46 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
Figure 39. Meeting with community members provided key feedback on Culver City parks. Source: City of Culver City, 2024.
Community Meeting:
Syd Kronenthal Park
Figure 40. Multiple rounds of community meetings were held in-person and online. Source: OLIN, The Robert Group, 2024.
Community Meeting:
El Marino Park
Community Meeting:
Virtual
May 1, 2024 May 1 4, 2024
May 2, 2024
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 47
POP UPS
Throughout the planning process, the Parks Plan
team sought input during eight community events
or “pop ups” in multiple locations in Culver City. These events included a range of participants including
families, seniors, students, and professionals. Pop
ups prove to be a fun, quick, and sometimes
spontaneous way to interact with the public, usually
in an environment that is comfortable for them
that captures participants that may not have the
time or ability to attend a traditional meeting.
Informational display boards on the Parks Plan
process, “Resilience, Ecology and Urban Forest”
and “Demographics” were showcased, as well as
activity boards “Which Parks Programs Do You
Use the Most?” and “Which New Amenities Would
You Like to See in Our Parks?” which encouraged
visitors to share their input.
Figure 41. (Above) Throughout the summer there were several Parks Plan pop-up events spread throughout the city. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 42. (Right) The pop-up events aimed to meet residents and parks users where they use the parks and services. Sources: OLIN, The Robert Group, 2024.
Paper versions of the Community Survey as well
as QR codes to access the virtual survey, online
StoryMap, and website were available. Community
members who took a survey got to spin a prize
wheel and receive Culver City Parks Plan branded
items such as a tote bag, reusable water bottle,
t-shirt, hat, or mug. Community members showed
interest in taking part in the process and learning
about the Parks Plan. At the final pop-up event,
Fiesta La Ballona on August 24, early ideas were
showcased, and feedback on park proposals was
received from the community in advance of the
fall community meetings and the draft Parks Plan.
Dances for the Developmentally
Disabled (DDD) and Socialites
June 1 4, 2024 (Senior Center)
Parks Plan Table at Culver West
Alexander Park
May June 26, 2024 (Culver West
Alexander Park)
Love Local x Helms Market
June 28, 2024 (Helms Walk)
Culver City Farmers Market
June 16, 2024 (Downtown Culver City)
The Culver City Parks Plan team conducted the following pop-up events over the summer of 2024:
PRCS Youth Camp
July 8, 2024 (Veterans Memorial Park,
Lindberg Park, and El Marino Park)
Movies in the Park at Fox Hills
July 20, 2024 (Fox Hills Park)
Culver City Senior Center
July 24, 2024 (Senior Center)
Culver City Farmers Market
July 30, 2024 (Downtown Culver City)
Fiesta La Ballona
August 24, 2024 (Veterans Memorial Park)
POP UPS & YOUTH CAMP
48 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
Dances for the Developmentally
Disabled (DDD) and Socialites
Image Source: OLIN, 2024.
Parks Plan Table at Culver West
Alexander Park
Image Source: OLIN, 2024.
Love Local x Helms
Market
Image Source: OLIN, 2024.
Culver City Farmers
Market
Image Source: The Robert Group, 2024.
Fiesta La Ballona
Image Source: OLIN, 2024.
Culver City Farmers Market
Image Source: The Robert Group, 2024.
Movies in the Park at
Fox Hills
Image Source: The Robert Group, 2024.
Culver City Senior
Center
Image Source: The Robert Group, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 49
Figure 43. Campers gather to discuss their drawings at engagement session at El Marino Park. Source: OLIN, 2024. 50 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
ENg Ag Em ENT
YOUTH CAMP
The Culver City Parks Plan team led over 200
campers from Culver City youth summer camp
programs in arts and crafts exercises. Campers,
ranging from kindergartners to fifth graders, were
introduced to the Parks Plan and the concept of
designing parks and open spaces. Students were
then asked to imagine and create their ideal park
or playground for Culver City. Using construction
paper, markers, crayons, pipe cleaners, foam,
scissors, and washi tape, the children considered
how they play in the parks today and how the
spaces could be better. The Parks Plan team also
engaged teenagers at the Culver City Teen Center
day camp, who filled out the Parks Plan surveys and
noted potential park improvements on an aerial of
Veterans Memorial Park.
Each camper worked individually to craft their
park, but then had an opportunity to show and
tell their ideas with the group at the end of the
session. The campers created a wide variety of parks,
with spaces for sports, more flowers and trees,
spaces for reading, imaginative playgrounds, and
even roller coasters. Many campers included ideas
about operations, food courts, and trash cans as
well. As some of Culver City parks’ most passionate
and frequent users, campers had integral and
inspired feedback for the Parks Plan.
The Culver City Parks Plan
team led over 200 youth
campers to envision the
future of their parks system.
Figure 45. Campers advocated for both active and passive recreation in their park drawings. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 44. Campers used pipe cleaners, tape, scissors, foam, and paper to create their dream park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Veterans Memorial Park
El Marino Park
Lindberg Park
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 51
STAFF DESIGN
WORKSHOPS
The Culver City Parks Plan team conducted
workshops with PRCS staff to review plan progress,
gather input on the vision, mission, and goals of
the plan, and get feedback on proposed ideas
for park improvements. These workshops were
an important step in building consensus on plan
recommendations and allowed the Parks Plan
team to hear from the perspectives of staff
members leading various services and programs
throughout the Culver City PRCS Department, from
the Senior Center to youth camps. Additionally,
feedback on the current maintenance and
operations in the parks system helped to form
recommendations for park improvements and
project implementation.
PRCS staff provided
critical insight to the Parks
Plan based on deep and
longstanding relationships
with the community.
Figure 46. The staff design workshops were aimed at hearing input and feedback directly from the staff on the ground every day in Culver City parks. Source: Geosyntec, 2024. 52 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
ENg Ag Em ENT
What are the top 3
things you want the
plan to accomplish?
What is currently
working well in the
parks system?
What do you want to
communicate to the
public about the plan?
Describe your vision of
the Culver City Parks
system in 2050.
Figure 47. PRCS staff responded to prompts ranging from what they think is working best about the parks system and where things could improve. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 48. The Parks Plan team met with PRCS staff to brainstorm their goals for the plan. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 53
PRCS
COMMISSION
Progress on the Culver City Parks Plan and its
community engagement was presented to the
Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community
Services (PRCS) Commission three times during the
planning process. The first presentation occurred
on June 4, 2024 at City Hall and introduced the
commissioners to the plan and the information
gathering phase of the project. The second
presentation occurred on September 3, 2024 at
Culver West Alexander and provided updates on the
summer community pop up events and the draft
early ideas for the plan. After each presentation, the
commissioners provided thoughtful suggestions for
the plan, from encouraging the Parks Plan team to
look at areas of Culver City not often studied (such
as Culver West) to exploring precedents for joint
use agreements with the school district. The final
presentation to the PRCS Commission is planned
for January 2025.
PRCS values making Culver City parks more and
more accessible for residents of all abilities. On
August 14, 2024, the Parks Plan team presented
to the Culver City Disability Advisory Committee
to hear feedback on the early ideas and approach
of the plan. Specific accessibility features, such as
ramps, walking paths, wayfinding, and signature
playgrounds proposed for the parks system were
reviewed with the committee.
DISABILITY ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
Figure 49. The Parks Plan team met with interested partners such as the Culver City Arts Foundation to gather input for the plan.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
54 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N //
ENg Ag Em ENT
Throughout the development of the parks plan,
the Parks Plan team met with interested
partners and users of the park system that
wanted to engage with the planning process. This
included two worksessions with the Culver City
Arts Foundation, a meeting with the representatives
of youth soccer leagues that use fields at Culver
City for practice, and the Culver City Historical
Society. Additionally, the Parks Plan team met
with the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD)
Environmental Sustainability Committee to discuss
the potential of joint use with the school district.
Partnerships between departments in Culver City
and between jurisdictions at the city and county
level will be crucial for the implementation of multi-
benefit park improvement projects. PRCS and the
Parks Plan team met several times with Culver
City Public Works to discuss current approaches
to stormwater management and incorporation
of existing stormwater proposals into the draft
park improvements. The Parks Plan team also
coordinated closely on parkland opportunities with
the Department of Planning leading the General
Plan effort for the city. The future of the Inglewood
Oil Field (IOF) and its decommissioning was also
reviewed with the Baldwin Hills Conservancy. The
IOF and other country-wide initiatives, such as the
Park to Playa Trail along the Ballona Creek and
Stoneview Nature Center were discussed with the
LA County Department of Parks and Recreation.
INTERESTED PARTNER
MEETINGS
AGENCY
OUTREACH
Which organizations did the Culver City Parks Plan team talk with during the engagement process?
• PRCS Staff
• PRCS Commission
• Culver Cit
y Disability Advisory
Committee
• Culver Cit
y Arts Foundation
• Culver Cit
y Planning Dept. —
Advance Planning Division
• Culver Cit
y Dept. of Public Works
Figure 50. Updates on the Parks Plan were presented to the PRCS Commission at Culver West Alexander Park. Source: OLIN, 2024. • Culver City Historical Society
• Culver Cit
y Unified School
District (CCUSD) Environmental
Sustainability Council
• Field User
s
• Baldwin Hills Conserv
ancy
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 55
ANALOG AND DIGITAL
AWARENESS
Having opportunities for analog and digital
engagement and awareness was critical during
the planning process. The Parks Plan team created
a suite of collateral outreach materials following
a colorful, vibrant, and playful branding guide
developed specifically for the Culver City Parks
Plan. This included a fact sheet, flyers for community
meetings, social media posts, a paper and digital
survey, and large format banners that were hung in
parks across the city. To announce the start of the
project, PRCS distributed a mailer to all Culver City
residents inviting them to attend the first-round
community meetings. A follow-up mailer was sent
out to all residents to announce the release of
the draft plan. The Parks Plan team also dropped
off printed community meeting notification flyers
at key locations across the city such as libraries,
recreation centers, cafes, markets, and places of
worship. The PRCS social media accounts were
utilized to share information about upcoming
meetings, pop ups, and the survey. PRCS sent out
emails to individuals registered for the city’s email
distribution list to inform them of important events
and milestones during the planning process.
Figure 51. Merchandise was available at pop-up events and Parks Plan mailers were sent to every household in the City. Source: OLIN, 2024.
WHY SO MANY TYPES OF
OUTREACH?
Having engagement materials
that are both digital, analog, in
person and virtual expands the
accessibility of information and
the ability for a wider range of
community members to share
their opinions and have their
voices heard.
Meeting 1
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Syd Kronenthal Park
3459 McManus Ave
Culver City, CA 90232
Format: In-person
Meeting 2
Thursday, May 2, 2024
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Zoom
Format: Virtual
Meeting 3
Tuesday, May 1 4, 2024
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: El Marino Park
5301 Berryman Ave
Culver City, CA 90232
Format: In-person
Get involved! Your voice is crucial
as the Culver City Parks system is
updated to better align with our
community’ s priorities!
Learn more by
visiting bit.ly/culvercityparksplan,
scanning the QR code, or on Facebook and Instagram @CulverCityPRCS Upon request, sign language interpretation, materials in alternative formats, and other accommodations are available to the public for City sponsored meetings and events.
All requests for reasonable accommodations, interpretation services, and materials in other languages must be made at least three working days (72 hours) prior to the scheduled meeting date. Please submit requests by email at [email protected].
GET CONNECTED!
RSVP at bit.ly/culverprcsmay24
for one or more of these meetings!
Comparta su opinión sobre los
parques de Culver City en la
primera ronda de reuniones
comunitarias de la planificación de
parques de Culver City.
¡Participe! Su opinión es crucial
en la actualización del sistema
de parques de Culver City para
adaptarlo a las prioridades de la
comunidad.
Obtenga más información visitando bit.ly/culvercityparksplan, escaneando el código QR o en Facebook
o Instagram @CulverCityPRCS
Con previa solicitud, se encontrarán disponibles para el público servicios de interpretación en lengua de señas, materiales en formatos alternativos y otras adaptaciones en las reuniones y eventos patrocinados por la Ciudad. Todas las solicitudes de adaptaciones razonables, servicios de interpretación y materiales en otros idiomas se deben hacer, al menos, tres días (72 horas) hábiles antes de la fecha prevista para la reunión.
Haga las solicitudes por correo electrónico a [email protected].
Reunión 1Miércoles, 1 de mayo de
2024 De 6:00 pm a 8:00 pm
Ubicación: Syd Kronenthal Park
3459 McManus Ave
Culver City, CA 90232
Formato: Presencial
Reunión 2Jueves, 2 de mayo de
2024 6:00 pm a 8:00 pm
Ubicación: Zoom
Formato: Virtual Reunión 3Martes, 1 4 de mayo de
2024 De 6:30 pm a 8:30 pm
Ubicación: El Marino Park
5301 Berryman Ave
Culver City, CA 90232
Formato: Presencial
¡QUEREMOS CONOCER SU OPINIÓN! ¡CONÉCTESE CON NOSOTROS!
¡Confirme asistencia en bit.ly/culverprcsmay24
para una o más de estas reuniones!
56 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
Figure 52. The Parks Plan engagement website included a StoryMap that provided digital context and information to the public.
Source: OLIN, The Robert Group, 2024.
PRCS Landing Page StoryMap
Virtual Meeting Recording English and Spanish Digital Survey Figure 53. Digital outreach provides an interactive forum for feedback and allows users to engage on their own schedule. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 57
COMMUNITY-WIDE PUBLIC SURVEY RESULTS
The Parks Plan team administered a community-
wide public survey at the beginning of the
planning process from May through August 2024.
The 19-question survey took respondents less
than ten minutes to complete, and they had the
option to state their name and contact information
or be anonymous. The survey was available in a
printed version that was utilized at community
meetings, pop up events, and in-person activities,
and a virtual version that was shared through the
city email distribution and available through QR
codes on collateral materials.
The survey provided insights as to the uses of parks
and facilities, interests, areas for improvement,
and infrastructure and program priorities of the
community. Results indicated that most park
users visit parks several times a week or daily,
primarily walk to the park, and appreciate their
accessibility and sense of community they foster.
Of the all survey respondents, 85% were Culver City
residents, with 30% having lived in Culver City for
15+ years. Veterans Memorial Park, Culver City Park
and the Culver City Bike Path were shown to be
the most used parks.
When asked about what people like about Culver
City Parks, the top three answers were Special
Events (such as Fiesta La Ballona or movies in the
park), Aquatics and Adult recreational activities
(such as ceramics, tennis, iaido, fencing, fitness,
or yoga). Top requests for park improvements
were maintenance, biodiversity and tree canopy,
and park programming and offerings including
public and perforiming arts. Time spent in
nature, active exercise and sports and shade and
cooling were indicated at the top benefits of
PRCS. Overall, the survey input illuminated the
value that parks bring to the Culver City community,
and emphasized key recommendations to guide
the future of Culver City parks.
857 Culver City park
users responded to the
public survey.
2% Blair Hills Park
1% Coombs Parkette
1% Fox Hills Parkette
1 2% Culver City Park
7% Culver West
Alexander Park
3% El Marino Park
8% Fox Hills Park
2% Blanco Park
1% Didn’t Answer
5% Bike Trails:
Culver City Bike Path
7% Other
1% Tellefson Park
6% Syd Kronenthal Park
1 1% Lindberg Park
8% Carlson Park
24%
Veterans
Memorial Park
WHICH CULVER
CITY PARK do
Yo U
USE THE
mo S
T?
Figure 54. “Which Culver City park do you use the most?” A pie chart illustrates the Parks Plan survey responses. While Veterans Memorial Park was the highest at 24%, each park in the Culver City Parks system is represented in the data. Source: Culver City Community Engagement Survey, Data as of September 5, 2024.
58 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
Public Survey Results
24% 5 years or less
8% Born and raised!
9% 10-1 4 years
28%
1 5+ years
1 5% I do not live
in Culver City
1 4% 6-10 years
<1% Didn’t Answer
1% I do not spend any
time in Culver City parks
22% Daily
2% Didn’t Answer
1% Annually
1 2% A few times a month
5% A few times a year
1 3% Once a week
38%
Several times
a week
6% Monthly
Ho W FREQUENTLY
do Yo U
SPEN d
TIm E
IN CULVER
CITY PARKS?
Ho W Lo Ng
HAVE
Yo U
LIVE d IN
CUL
VER CITY?
Figure 55. “How long have you lived in Culver City?” A pie chart illustrates the Parks Plan survey responses. The majority response (28%) came from residents who had lived in the city for 15 years or longer but a comparable percentage (24%) answered they had been in the city for 5 years or less showing a broad cross section of the city. Source: Culver City Community Engagement Survey, Data as of September 5, 2024.
Figure 56. “How frequently do you spend time in Culver City Parks?” A pie chart illustrates the Parks Plan survey responses. When taken together, one in four residents visit a Culver City park at least once per week. Source: Culver City Community Engagement Survey, Data as of September 5, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 59
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
Culver City Parks
IN-PERSON RESPONSES
Where are you from?
5/1/2024
5/1 4/2024
SURVEY RESPONSES
Zipcode from Survey
Didn’t Answer: 59
Figure 57. Map of community meeting responses to “Where are you from?”and survey responses to “Where do you live? (ZIP Code)” Circles are proportional to the number of respondents. If unnumbered, there were 10 or fewer respondents from that ZIP code. Source: LA County GIS Data Portal, Countywide Parks and Open Space, Countywide Multi-Use Trails, LA County Bikeways, & Significant Ecological Area, 2022; Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LARIAC), 2016. OLIN, Community Meeting at Syd Kronenthal Park, May 1, 2024. OLIN, Community Meeting at El Marino Park, May 14, 2024. Culver City Community Engagement Survey, Data as of September 5, 2024.
Tellefson Park
Coombs Parkette
Culver West Alexander Park
Carlson Park
Veterans Memorial Park
Park users living throughout
Culver City and neighboring
communities were represented
in the public survey. 85% of
respondents identified as
Culver City residents.
60 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Culver City Park
Syd Kronenthal Park
Lindberg Park
Blanco Park
El Marino Park
Fox Hills Park
Fox Hills Parkette
Blair Hills Park
0 N
1/4 1/2 mile
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 61
What We Heard
QUo TES FR om o PEN -EN d Ed
SURVEY RESUL
TS
“Love the idea
of moving away
from lawn to
more dynamic
waterwise
spaces in
underused
areas.”
“[I’d like to
see] Senior
programs and
activities in all
your parks.”
“Thank you for your
work currently and
for your efforts in
expanding and
improving our vital
community parks.”
“Please make accessibility a
priority so the parks can be
utilized and enjoyed by ALL.”
“Keep connecting with the
community and provide
transparency in all decision
making.”
Figure 58. Suggestions, thoughts, and feelings about Culver City Parks were expressed in the Parks Plan survey. Source: Culver City Community Engagement Survey, Data as of September 5, 2024.
“Parks are precious.”
“Only the most recent Culver City
residents are high income. The vast
majority couldn’t afford to move
here today.”
“More
performances
and guests“
“More native trees
for shade“
“The scout house
has been an active
part of Culver City
for many years. It
could use some
help.“
“pickleball,
pickleball,
pickleball”
“Improve upon plants,
maintenance, and trash
collection”
“We need to
be inclusive
and have
equipment for
special needs
children too!”
“I really hope
our funding
starts to
prioritize this
important part
of our City.”
“We should focus more on nature,
and finding ways to connect our bike
paths better to our park system.”
62 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
Figure 59. “What three words do you associate with Culver City Parks?” A word cloud illustrates the most common words from Parks Plan survey responses. Source: Culver City Community Engagement Survey, Data as of September 5, 2024.
Figure 60. Community members fill in surveys at Fiesta La Ballona. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 63
PUBLIC DRAFT
COMMENT PERIOD
Public participation was crucial to the outcome of
the planning process. The Parks Plan welcomed
feedback from the community during a two-month
public comment period from September 24, 2024
through November 5, 2024. Over 550 comments
regarding individual parks and the Public Draft
Plan more broadly were received online through
the public comment form. Additionally, the team
reviewed public comments submitted via e-mail,
phone, and in-person meetings. The Public Draft
Plan also received feedback from PRCS staff, the
PRCS Commission, and interested partners.
17 22
16 20
11 7
Culver City Park
Culver West
Alexander Park
El Marino Park
Fox Hills Park
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Coombs Parkette
Fox Hills
Parkette
Veterans Memorial Park
Lindberg Park
Blanco Park
Blair Hills Park
Figure 61. Comments were received for early ideas for each park during the public comment period. The size of each circle is proportional to the number of comments received on that subject. Source: Culver City Draft Plan Public Comment Form, Data as of November 5, 2024. 91 77
Several key discussion points emerged. For example,
the overall balance of existing and proposed
amenities and sports fields was reviewed and
adjusted. An additional dog run was proposed
within the park system at Culver West Alexander
Park, and existing dog-friendly walking trails called
“Pooch Paths” were clarified within the park plans.
Requests for additional racket sport courts and
concerns regarding noise from sports courts
were reviewed: support was generally positive for
proposed racket sports courts at Culver City Park and
Tellefson Park and thus these proposed locations
52 34
30 64 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
19 67
Tellefson Park
Overall Plan Comments
Carlson Park
87 Community feedback during
the Parks Plan process focused
heavily on:
• Balancing existing and proposed
counts of spor
ts courts and
amenities throughout the parks
system
• More ded
icated dog-friendly areas
• Request for add
itional sports courts
• Soundproofing to r
educe noise from
sports courts in neighborhoods
• Balance of passive vs. active
spaces within parks
• Improving accessibilit
y of park
amenities, especially play
equipment
• Prefer
ence for California native
species for new plantings and trees
• Improved connectivit
y to public
trails
• Need for more shaded ar
eas
• Upgrad
ing aging amenities
• Safe pedestrian and cyclist
crossings and impr
oved sidewalk
connections
• Support for add
itional art and
performance spaces throughout the
parks system
have been carried forward, and soundproofing
measures have been recommended for several
sports courts. Discussion with Carlson Park users
confirmed the community’s desire to keep the
park as a passive retreat rather than adding active
amenities. Additional ideas from the community,
such as the addition of shade structures to the
proposed Lindberg Park signature playground,
were also incorporated.
The Parks Plan team
reviewed over 550
public comments on
the Public Draft Plan;
these comments were
incorporated to revise
and strengthen the
Parks Plan.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 65
What We Heard
QUo TES FR om o NLINE AN d IN
PERS o N
d RAFT
PLAN REVIEW
LINDBERG PARK
“This plan looks fantastic! It’s clear that a lot
of thoughtful decisions went into it, and the
proposed updates would make a positive
impact. As someone who lives... right
across the street from Lindberg Park..., I am
especially excited for the Lindberg updates.
The changes would enhance the way the
park is already being utilized!”
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
“I’m concerned that adding
more amenities to the park is
going to make the traffic in our
neighborhood even worse....
Add more parking to the Senior
Center or further away.”
TELLEFSON PARK
“I am very excited about the
proposed changes to the park
especially the Pickleball and
sand volleyball courts. The
path and sidewalks will be very
helpful as well.”
Figure 62. Reactions and suggestions were provided by community members through various engagement outlets throughout the Plan Recommendations and Draft Plan phases of the Parks Plan. Some of these focused on general interests and some on specific parks and spaces throughout the city. Source: Culver City Community Engagement Data as of November 5, 2024.
CARLSON PARK
“Given this is one of the only parks... in Culver City that does NOT have a playground structure, I feel strongly
that we should leave this as a passive park.”
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
“I highly support the idea of
more arts and culture spaces,
and love the idea of the area near
Veterans Park at Culver and Elenda
becoming another gallery space,
space for art classes, or art-related
gardening.”
GENERAL
“Need more pickle
ball and tennis
courts. These
will have much
higher community
utilization than
other parts of the
parks”
GENERAL
“Given the huge increase in
housing without any yards... let’s
give these dog owners more
options for dog parks.”CULVER CITY PARK
“Adequate spectator seating with
shade and restrooms would be nice.
Please go check out the parks on
weekends during Little League or
AYSO season! The parks are busy
and great places of community
interaction.”
66 DRAFT INTRod UCTIo N // ENg Ag Em ENT
Draft Plan feedback was
crucial to the final plan
recommendations.
Figure 63. The Draft Park Plan recommendations were available for commenting at various pop-ups and community meetings.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
Dog Run at Culver West Alexander
Park and Fox Hills Parkette
Figure 64. The Parks Plan team recieved
hundreds of comments on the draft plan and
recommendations which are reflected in the final
plan recommendations. Source: OLIN, The Robert
Group, 2024.
Racket Sports Courts at Tellefson,
Vetersans Memorial, and Culver City Park
Reoriented Fields at Bill Botts
within Culver City Park
Culver West Alexander Park
Veterans Memorial Park
Board showing Culver City Park at the
September 24, 2024 Community Meeting
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 67
Figure 65. The Culver Bike Path offers a protected bike path with rest areas. Source: PRCS, 2024. 68 DRAFT THE PL
AN
SECTION II:
PLAN
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 69
Figure 66. The playground at Culver City Park is readily used by the community. Source: OLIN, 2024. 70 DRAFT THE PL
AN
// g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S
At the core of the proposals for the Culver City
Parks Plan are the vision, mission, goals, actions,
and methods. These elements provide a framework
that the entire plan is built around. While specific
facilities and parks needs may change over time,
the vision is more enduring and represents the ideal
future condition. The mission statement outlines
how Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
(PRCS) will operate to achieve the vision.
VISION: AN ASPIRATIONAL STATEMENT OF WHAT
THE IDEAL FUTURE IS LIKE.
Parks are the heartbeat of Culver City, bringing
together people of all ages and backgrounds
to recharge and inspire joy in vibrant natural
environments that honor our shared history
and community.
MISSION: DEFINES WHAT THE ORGANIZATION
DOES OR STANDS FOR DAY TO DAY.
To provide for the wellbeing of Culver City
residents by supporting diverse, safe, and
equitable opportunities for recreation, learning,
and arts while protecting our most valued natural
and cultural resources.
In addition to the vision and mission, this chapter
outlines the goals set during the planning process
based on community feedback and priorities.
Each goal includes a rationale of why the goal is
important and a series of actions and methods that
support the fulfillment of the goal.
GOALS:
1. Provide equitable access to parks and parks
facilities.
2. Integrate sustainability and climate resiliency
into parks management, design, and construction.
3. Strengthen recreational, arts, and cultural
programming for all ages.
4. Preserve and enhance natural habitats
by supporting biodiversity and ecosystem
connectivity.
5. Increase capital budget funding and staff
longevity.
PLANNING FRAMEWORK4|
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 71
Figure 67. A family enjoys the playground at Veterans Memorial Park. Source: PRCS, 2024. 72 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S Providing all members of the community with
the opportunity to access and use park space is
critical. Park access equity is impacted not just
by the overall number of parks but also by the
quality of the parks, how many people are using
the parks, how far residents have to travel to use
park amenities, and what the quality and safety of
that trip is like.
While the majority of residents in Culver City are
within a 10-minute walk to a park, park space is
not distributed equally throughout the city. With
larger park areas near the Baldwin Hills, some
neighborhoods have less park space and many
Culver City parks are under high pressure because
they serve a large number of residents from both
within the city and adjacent municipalities. As new
development areas are planned throughout the
city, increases in population will mean increased
pressure on the existing parks system.
Creating new parks, improving routes to and from
parks, and investing in maintaining and improving
facilities throughout the park system allows for
more equitable access to PRCS resources for
community members, increasing intergenerational
use , and reducing silos.
The city’s General Plan 2045 sets goals that
forefront parks, recreation, and community
services as key elements in the future of Culver
City. Goals revolve around connectivity, access,
and sustainable biodiversity that offer space and
services to residents of all ages. This includes
eight goals focusing on equitable access, facilities
and amenities, maintenance, community-
serving programming, funding and resources,
sustainability, public facilities, and educational
opportunities. Additionally,
the General Plan
2045 highlights new development areas in the
city, including the Hayden Tract, the Fox Hills
Development, and the Inglewood Oil Field offer
significant once-in-a-generation opportunities for
new parkland at large scales.
Rationale Relationship to the General Plan
PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO
PARKS AND PARKS FACILITIES.
GOAL 1
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 73
1. Add parkland and parkland access
in areas with a f
ocus on areas with park
deficits and high park pressure.
1.1. Leverage underutilized areas within existing
parkland and underutiliz
ed land currently
owned by Culver City to increase space for
recreation and community services.
1.2. Engage in additional joint use agreements
t
o make additional open space available to
park users.
1.3. Revie
w, revise, and formalize, the Culver
City Unified School District (CCUSD)/Parks
Recreation & Community Services (PRCS)
memorandum of understanding for park space
to increase joint use opportunities for Culver
City residents of all ages.
1.4. Continue c
oordination with state and county
entities such as the Baldwin Hills Conservancy
and the LA County Department of Parks
and Recreation for future opportunities for
collaboration and joint use.
1.5. Ac
quire additional land and/or participate in
land swaps to increase available parkland.
1.6. Require new neighborhood specific plans
t
o incorporate a minimum of 10% or no less
than 3 acres per 1,000 persons planned for the
development, whichever results in more park
area, publicly accessible open space.
2. Increase ADA ac cess and inclusive
elements at parks.
2.1. Add ADA access areas and ADA compliant
w
alking paths around park site elements.
2.2. Add or updat
e a minimum of three inclusive
playgrounds within the city either in current
parks or on opportunity sites.
2.3. Provide c
onsistent, clear wayfinding, regulatory,
and interpretive signage in city parks,
recreational facilities, and public facilities to
create a cohesive visual identity for the city
through the parks system.
2.4. Dev
elop uniform signage, wayfinding, and
environmental graphics guidelines for the city’s
open spaces.
2.5. Create signature art gat
eways at entry
thresholds throughout Culver City to build
awareness of the city’s boundaries.
3. Continue to coordinate with other
Culv
er City departments on active
mobility strategies to make parks more
accessible.
3.1. Support city-wide ef forts to increase
pedestrian comfort and safety including
shade, seating, and amenities on city park
land. Support city-wide efforts to improve and
promote bicycle use and safety on city park
land including bicycle parking, integration with
future bike paths, shade, and water fountains.
4. Continue to foster safe spaces for
the c
ommunity.
4.1. Continue to coordinate within PRCS on safety
measures and responsibilities o
f staff members
within parks facilities and programming.
4.2. Incorpor
ate increased tree canopy and/or
shade structures as well as cooling elements
into park design and renovation.
4.3. Require adequate and c
onsistent lighting in
park spaces during operating hours. Provide
free public internet access at city parks,
recreational facilities, and public facilities.
ACTIONS
PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PARKS AND PARKS FACILITIES. 74 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S
5. Enhance oper ations and
maintenance of existing and future
parks.
5.1. Assess parkland and facilities and updat e
the LA County Park portal at minimum once
per year.
5.2. Continue t
o coordinate with Culver City Public
Works to help ensure that PRCS facilities are
audited in their Facility Master Plan. During
the design and planning of new and renovated
parks, review and direct capital improvement
investments into high quality and durable
materials and facilities.
5.3. During the design and planning of ne
w and
renovated parks, develop an operations and
maintenance plan including vegetation,
stormwater, hardscape, furnishing, and
building maintenance at minimum.
6. Invest in new facilities that meet
current park needs.
6.1. Incorporate visual art to existing and proposed
park
s spaces as well as construct one new
performing arts space.
6.2. Incorpor
ate educational spaces such as
outdoor classrooms and seating areas for
use by PRCS camps, Culver City schools, and
educational programs.
6.3. Integr
ate one nature-play playground
into PRCS parks that involves educational
and interpretive elements with a focus on
environmental learning.
6.4. Integr
ate one additional community center
such as a community gym and aquatics center.
6.5. Add additional c
ourt spaces to meet the city’s
growing demand for racket sports.
6.6. Integr
ate an additional dog park into a
PRCS park.
Figure 68. The Metro E Line runs through Culver City. Source: PRCS, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 75
Figure 69. The Ballona Creek is central to stormwater management in Culver City. Source: OLIN, 2024. 76 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S Parks serve as opportunity areas to enhance a
community’s climate resilience through sustainable
features and design. California is experiencing more
extreme droughts and flooding that are impacting
how jurisdictions manage assets and infrastructure,
including park facilities. Incorporating sustainable
features, such as efficient water demand
management strategies, stormwater capture for
improved receiving water quality and local water
supply reliability, energy efficiency features, and
native vegetation, are all ways that park properties
can promote a more climate resilient future.
Similarly, the natural landscape of parks can help
reduce impacts such as the urban heat island effect,
by incorporating more trees, vegetation and other
cooling features to benefit communities. There are
also opportunities to utilize park space to educate
the public on the nexus between the built and
natural environments and how we can all do our
part to contribute to a more climate resilient future.
Rationale
The City’s General Plan 2045 sets goals to achieve
sustainable mindset throughout city spaces
including parks. This includes striving for holistic
water management strategies to integrate
stormwater, water reuse and conservation as well
as implement low impact development (LID) and
green infrastructure through economically justified
and attainable pathways for a robust infrastructure
network. Park spaces include opportunities to
incorporate and implement this goal.
Relationship to the General Plan
INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY AND
CLIMATE RESILIENCY INTO PARKS
MANAGEMENT, DESIGN, AND
CONSTRUCTION.
GOAL 2
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 77
1. Implement wat er demand
management strategies within
park space.
1.1. Regularly track water usage data at parks to
inform of inefficient water uses and water leaks
for efficient water management at parks.
1.2. Implement smart irrigation controls such
as soil moisture sensors or w
eather forecast
controls.
1.3. Remov
e areas of non-essential turf to reduce
water demands and comply with AB-1572 by
2027. There may be funding available through
turf removal programs to support this need.
2. Implement integr ated stormwater
management practices at existing
and new parks following local
stormwater permit requirements and
in coordination with Public Works.
2.1. For parks identified as regional st ormwater
capture opportunities in the City’s The
Stormwater Quality Master Plan (SWQMP),
coordinate with Public Works to help
implement those opportunities while routing
on-site stormwater flows to these regional
stormwater systems for efficient on-site
stormwater management compliance.
2.2. For parks not identified as regional st
ormwater
capture opportunities in the City’s SWQMP,
follow the County of Los Angeles LID hierarchy
for selecting on-site stormwater capture
systems. Prioritize on-site stormwater retention
through infiltration and harvest and use
wherever feasible.
2.3. Continue t
o design and implement preferred
stormwater capture BMPs (e.g. rain gardens)
at parks facilities for effective implementation
and maintenance.
2.4. Increase installation of gutt
ers along existing
structures and rain barrels for passive use of
captured rainwater for existing parks
and facilities.
2.5. Identify opportunities f
or signage, receptacles,
and trash screens to help keep park space, and
the surrounding community and environment,
free of trash.
2.6. Implement strat
egies to tie existing park
space to Ballona Creek and educate park
users and the community about the Ballona
Creek watershed. For new park space
consider locations near the creek to create
opportunities for green infrastructure and
patches for natural habitat.
2.7. Coordinate with City leadership, multiple
departments, and grant consultants on
identifying optimal funding for regional
stormwater capture capital projects. Consider
utilizing Measure CW to address maintenance
costs, while pursuing Measure W funding
and state/federal grants listed in the City’s
SWQMP for capital costs. For parks with more
significant redesign needs, identify stormwater
opportunities at these parks for increased
likelihood of competitive and successful
grant applications with multiple stormwater,
recreation, and equity benefits.
INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY INTO
PARKS MANAGEMENT, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION.
ACTIONS
78 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S
3. Identify opportunities to go
be
yond adhering to minimum code
requirements for enhanced sustainable
design through water and energy
efficient strategies, climate friendly
construction materials, and community
education.
3.1. Identify opportunities f or greywater or
condensate reuse with existing and future
parks projects. Greywater and condensate may
be captured from buildings, and reused for
irrigation or other non-potable demands.
3.2. Promote a circular ec
onomy by considering
locally produced and/or recycled materials
as part of park redesign. Local reclaimed
wood and recycled steel may be used in the
construction of park benches, play structures,
and other amenities. This helps reduce
environmental impacts of transporting new
materials and reduces waste byproducts.
3.3. Update park
s facilities with energy efficient
fixtures and appliances and consider solar
panels to help generate power for lighting,
fountains, and other amenities. Motion sensors
may be considered to be installed in restrooms
and other facilities to help ensure that
lights are only used when necessary, further
conserving energy.
3.4. Identify areas o
f urban heat island effects and
align these with park lands to incorporate
more trees, vegetation and other cooling
features for enhanced community benefit.
3.5. Utilize park
s space for incorporation of public
education on the importance of sustainable
resource management and climate resiliency.
4. Administer maintenance strategies
t
o mitigate fire risk and climate
issues in the Culver City’s very high
fire severity zones, including the
Blair Hills, Culver Crest, and Fox Hills
neighborhoods as defined in the
General Plan 2045.4
4.1. Implement seasonal pruning of shrubs and
clearing o
f debris or dead plant material to
reduce fuel load.
4.2. Plant new nativ
e species with spacing
as recommended by Cal Fire fire-smart
landscaping practices.5
4.3. Create wildfire breaks in larger contiguous
v
egetated areas, which could include wide
trails, roads, or shaded fuel breaks with no
understory planting.
4.4. Create wildfire break
s in larger contiguous
vegetated areas, which could include wide
trails, roads, or shaded fuel breaks with no
understory planting.
4.5. Reduce and remo
ve invasive canopy and
understory which can increase fire risk. Mature
non-native invasive tree canopy species can
be closely monitored and replaced with more
suitable adapted or native species as they
reach senescence.
4.6. Soil may also be stabiliz
ed on steep
hillsides to aid in erosion control; and soil
can be treated with topsoil, fertilizer, and
mycorrhizal inoculum to improve native shrub
establishment.6
4.7. Limit recreational activities that pose fire risk, such as bonfires and barbeque cooking. T
hese
activities can also be sited in areas that pose
the least risk for flammability of adjacent
vegetation areas, such as being placed away
from the dripline of eucalyptus trees and away
from dense swaths of shrubs.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 79
Figure 70. The Plunge hosts a variety of programming for all ages. Source: OLIN, 2024. 80 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S
STRENGTHEN RECREATIONAL, ARTS,
AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING FOR
ALL AGES.
GOAL 3
Great cities of all sizes create strong emotional
bonds with the people who live and visit there.
These bonds grow out of a “sense of place” that
emerges from a combination of local culture, history,
geography, and landscape. Cities are increasingly
turning to the practice of “placemaking” to forge
these bonds with residents and visitors, drawing
on techniques from both the arts and sciences to
create emotional and social connections between
people and spaces, transforming those spaces into
places. The long-term vision for Culver City’s parks
must be rooted in the role it will play in the daily
lives of the people who live and work there, as well
as visitors to Culver City’s cultural attractions.
Public parks and open spaces in Culver City might
be the best opportunity to catalyze economic
development through placemaking. The size
and prominence of the area’s institutions creates
opportunities both in the neighborhoods and
throughout the city to provide tangible benefits
to all of the city’s residents and visitors.
The foundation of successful projects is creative,
consistent, and high-quality programming of the
public realm. Culver City’s network of parks must
be dynamic destinations that change by time
of day, day of the week, and season of the year.
Programming will attract large numbers of visitors,
extend the length of their stays, and keep them
coming back again and again.
Culver City has a tremendous responsibility to
maintain a vibrant public realm in the face of
demographic, environmental, and real estate
market forces. Successful ongoing efforts in
response to – and in anticipation of – these forces
must effectively integrate entrepreneurial planning.
The underlying goal and premise of entrepreneurial
planning is to employ creative real estate tools and
techniques to leverage neighborhood improvement
strategies, unlock value, and improve local quality
of life in service of and in collaboration with public
sector economic development strategies.
Rationale
The General Plan 2045 aligns with the objectives
of and supports strengthening recreational and
arts and cultural programming for all ages. The
plan rightfully identifies the creative economy
as a unique and locally-focused economic
development engine that should be supported
and nurtured. Various activation strategies and
amenities look towards partnership opportunities
with creative economy stakeholders, including
through publicly- and privately-owned art and
various active performance venues that are public
assets to be included as part of an examination
of programming and activation opportunities.
Additionally, the General Plan 2045 identifies
parks, recreation, and public facilities as critical
to encourage healthy and active lifestyles. These
goals support increased offerings throughout the
parks to attract a broad range of park users through
expanded and additional classes and programs
for various audiences throughout the year and at
different times of day and days of the week. And,
the General Plan 2045’s identification of economic
development goals to provide for sustainable
economic growth and equitable opportunity for
wealth creation supports expanded opportunities
for revenue development and support for local
business participation as programming partners.
Relationship to the General Plan
Entrepreneurial planning considers, respects, and
employs community wants and desires within the
framework of existing policy priorities – that’s the
‘planning’ part. At the same time, entrepreneurial
planning recognizes that there are various tools and
techniques available to optimize strategies based
on financing challenges, market opportunities, and
positioning strategies – that’s the ‘entrepreneurial’
part. Taken together, entrepreneurial planning
builds upon community context to anticipate future
market realities and opportunities.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 81
STRENGTHEN RECREATIONAL, ARTS, AND
CULTURAL PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES.
ACTIONS
1. Continue to provide a range of
progr
amming throughout Culver City’s
parks and expand opportunities.
1.1. Continue engagement with community, park
users, staf
f, and partners to ascertain additional
programming wants and desires, as well as
potential operating partners for individual
programs.
1.2. Identify additional c
ommunity and commercial
programming partners through existing
programs, adjacent and nearby businesses,
and programs proposed by potential operating
partners.
2. Initiate amenities, arts, and
progr
amming hubs.
2.1. Explore signature play f eatures in suitable
parks, such as Lindberg Park.
2.2. Identify theme-based hubs, e.g. board games,
c
omic books, entertainment, that complement
existing neighborhoods and other cultural
amenities.
2.3. Support a new and e
xpanded outdoor parks
art collection that would contribute to an
expanded cultural network in Culver City.
2.4. Construct additional perf
ormance spaces
throughout the parks system, with a focus
on Veterans Memorial Park, Culver City Park,
El Marino Park, Tellefson Park, Culver West
Alexander Park, and Coombs Parkette.
2.5. Add more arts progr
aming and maker spaces
to support ceramics, painting, drawing, textiles,
photography and other art forms.
3. Explore alternativ e governance
structures for management of
programming to help ensure cost
effective and responsive programming
and activation appropriate to
individual parks.
3.1. Explore public management under an
expanded and/or re-organiz
ed staffing
structure to maximize intra-staff collaboration
and avoid overburdening any one
organizational unit.
3.2. Explore public management with friends
group support to c
omplement existing
programs and provide for alternative
fund-raising mechanisms focused on park
programming and amenities.
3.3. Explore joint operation betw
een public
management and private entities to maintain
public supervision of more wide-ranging
revenue development opportunities.
3.4. Explore beginning a non-profit that e
xpands
both management and revenue development
options within a mission-based purview that
maintains public parks as free and open to the
public.
4. Assess market f or expansion of food
and beverage offerings.
4.1. Partner with local and regional che fs/
restaurants for incubator concepts to provide a
broad range of offerings to the public.
4.2. Generat
e additional revenue possibilities to
provide increased operating funds to the
parks system while growing local businesses.
Examples include: Destination dining and beer
gardens, event concessions, and private event
and catering opportunities.
5. Assess market gaps f or events and
special opportunities
5.1. Deliver new experiences and opportunities for
public and priv
ate events that may include fully
free and accessible, ticket-based, and
fully private events.
5.2. Explore opportunities for mark
et-based
fee structures that remain sensitive to
local affordability and drive revenue
where appropriate.
82 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S Figure 71. At City Hall, the Quotation Courtyard (1995) by Barbara McCarren combines public space with quotes from civil rights leaders while La Ballona (1995) by May Sun uses water features and sculpture to recall the lands heritage related to the Ballona Creek.
Source: Andrea Binz, 2021.
Figure 72. Katy Krantz’s “DEAR CULVER CITY...” community art invited participants to stamp words describing Culver City’s past, present, and future into clay pieces, which were gathered for display at City Hall. Community art combines program and public art. Source: Andrea Binz, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 83
Figure 73. Bush sunflower (Encilia californica) is one of the many types of native plants in the Baldwin Hills. Source: Andrea Binz, 2021. 84 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S Culver City has a unique ecological context, situated
along the Ballona Creek and at the base of Baldwin
Hills. However, much of these historic natural
habitats of Culver City have been permanently
altered since the 1800s through agriculture use
and subsequent urban development. However,
the range of upland to riparian conditions can be
amplified through the city’s park system, benefiting
both human and wildlife habitat health alike.
Currently, many parks have planted non-native and/
or invasive species that tend to use more water and
limit biodiversity in the city. There are opportunities to reinvigorate Culver City’s aging urban forest,
prioritize shade, introduce more native and water-
wise species, implement strategies for wildfire
resilience, and connect to regional ecosystems. A
dense, mature, and thriving tree canopy is crucial
to the success of the Culver City parks system and
city as a whole. Not only does a healthy urban forest
create a pleasant park setting for communities, but
the shade connectivity it provides helps reduce
higher temperatures from the urban heat island
effect, reduces energy costs, and fosters biodiversity
within an urban environment.
Rationale
The General Plan 2045 aligns with the objectives and
supports bolstering regional ecological connections
within and outside of Culver City. The plan places
an emphasis on the conservation of key habitat and
endangered species, along with creating an active
and revitalized Ballona Creek corridor. Additionally,
the urban forest and adjacent public lands are
identified as opportunities to sequester carbon.
Goals of the General Plan 2045 suggests the use of
native species, increasing biodiversity within parks,
and protecting open space and sensitive species.
Relationship to the General Plan
PRESERVE AND ENHANCE NATURAL
HABITATS BY SUPPORTING
BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM
CONNECTIVITY.
GOAL 4
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 85
PRESERVE AND ENHANCE NATURAL HABITATS BY SUPPORTING
BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM CONNECTIVITY.
ACTIONS
1. Promote c onnectivity,
chronodiversity, and biodiversity of the
tree canopy within Culver City Parks
and the Culver City urban forest.
1.1. Plant native and climat e adapted tree species
to bolster the current urban tree canopy, and
replace existing non-native or invasive tree
specimens as they reach senescence.
Planting should be in accordance with
applicable current or future planting
guidelines or ordinances.
1.2. Increase the amount of small trees under 8”
diamet
er at breast height (DBH) by a minimum
of 20%, as recommended by the Culver
City Urban Forest Master Plan,7 to achieve
chronodiversity in the urban forest.
1.3. Create c
onnected corridors of shade in Culver
City Parks and the streetscapes leading to and
between the parks and other public lands.
1.4. Maintain and increase the number of trees
and species o
f trees in Culver City Parks in
order to increase the baseline tree canopy by
20% by 2045 in accordance with the 2019 LA
Countywide Our County Sustainability Plan.8
Additional tree planting should be prioritized
in the following Culver City neighborhoods
with the lowest tree canopy coverage: Lucerne/
Higuera neighborhood of the Hayden Track,
Clarkdale, Culver West, Washington Culver,
Jefferson, McManus, Fox Hills, and the
Blanco neighborhood.9
1. 2. Increase plant species biodiversity
and habitat areas in Culv
er City, with a
focus on native plants appropriate to
the Ballona Creek Watershed and the
Los Angeles Basin.
2.1. Replace turf gr ass in non-functional areas
with native species substitutes to comply
with AB-1572 by 2027.
2.2. Plant native and climat
e adapted understory
shrubs and groundcovers to replace non-native
existing species in accordance with applicable
current or future planting guidelines or
ordinances.
2.3. Activ
ely remove volunteer invasive plant
species as defined by California Invasive Plant
Council from habitat sensitive areas, utilizing
best management practices. Prevent these
species from being planted in new projects
and construction.
2.4. Utilize pollinat
or-friendly native species to
promote biodiversity.
2.5. Install shielded low light t
emperature fixtures
near sensitive habitat areas for wildlife.
Figure 74. The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is an important natural habitat near Culver City. Source: Andrea Binz, 2021. 86 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S
3. Create a network of ecological
c
orridors and habitat patches from
the parks system to adjacent regional
ecological public lands..
3.1. Increase the amount of riparian tree species in
and around the Ballona Creek t
o help create
a continuous habitat corridor for bird species
from Baldwin Hills to the estuary at Marina
del Rey.10
3.2. Plant a continuous tree c anopy along the main
street corridors identified in the Urban Forest
Master Plan where they connect to or cross
park land. These corridors include Sepulveda
Blvd south of Ballona Creek, Washington Blvd,
and Jefferson Blvd north of Raintree Circle.11
3.3. Augment the current fragmented, isolated
s
wathes of coastal scrub and chaparral
vegetation in parks and open space areas with
layered planting. Use native species where
possible in urban contexts adjacent
to broader open lands to create habitat
patch connections.
3.4. Collabor
ate with interested partner
organizations, such as the Baldwin Hills
Conservancy, to locate and implement critical
habitat areas in areas such as the Baldwin Hills
or Ballona Creek.
3.5. Dev
elop educational signage along with
habitat improvements to build community
awareness of regional ecological connections
and critical habitat.
4. Institute climat e resilient and
environmentally responsible
monitoring and maintenance practices
in the Culver City Parks system.
4.1. Train maintenance staff to work with native
plants and ec
osystems, collaborating with local
organizations and educational institutions to
provide this vocational training.
4.2. Follow best management pr
actices in
sediment and vegetation management for
erosion control and runoff.
4.3. Where applicable in f
uture land acquisitions
(such as the Inglewood Oil Field), implement
remediation strategies to support native
habitat and the development of functioning
soil systems that improve moisture retention
and plant health.
4.4. Reduce pesticide use as applic
able and in
accordance with Culver City and LA County
guidelines.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 87
Figure 75. A Culver City Public Works staff member maintains vegetation along the Culver City Bike Path. Source: PRCS, 2024. 88 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S The parks, recreation spaces, community services,
and public facilities across Culver City are widely
utilized and beloved by residents. As stated in the
General Plan 2045, PRCS does not currently have
adequate funding to support capital improvements
and maintenance operations in the parks. 12 The
ongoing quality of facilities and programming
relies on city support to fund capital improvements,
maintenance, as well as support operations
and personnel through hiring and workforce
development.
While acknowledging the current shortfall, the
city must also be looking forward to the next
generation of Culver City parks. The projected
increase in population stated in the General
Plan 2045 necessitates not only upgrades and
renovations to existing parks spaces but also
an increase in park space, more frequent and
wide ranging programming, as well as increased
operations and maintenance capacity. The
current budget will need to grow, whether through
internal or external sources, in order to help ensure
PRCS can continue to offer high quality services
and support staff growth and longevity in the
department.
Rationale
The General Plan 2045 sets a goal to increase
funding and resources for the parks and
recreational facilities to address stated shortfalls
in current and projected budget needs. The
plan proposes this through various methods
including through updating the city’s parkland
development and in-lieu fee structure, increasing
the leasing of parks and open spaces for revenue
generation, as well as a broad call to action to
seek alternative funding sources for parks and
recreation.
Relationship to the General Plan
INCREASE CAPITAL BUDGET FUNDING
AND STAFF LONGEVITY.
GOAL 5
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 89
INCREASE CAPITAL BUDGET FUNDING AND STAFF LONGEVITY.
ACTIONS
1. Pursue local, stat e, and federal
funding opportunities for operations
and maintenance as well as parkland
acquisition, design, and construction.
1.1. Partner with non-gov ernmental organizations
to identify further grant and partnership
opportunities, as well as to provide
programming support and partnerships.
1.2. Evaluat
e commercial businesses adjacent to
or near public parks that can both provide
additional programming partners and provide
additional revenue sources through operating
agreements within the parks.
1.3. Coordinat
e with the Public Works Department
on identifying funding mechanisms for
operations and maintenance of stormwater
features at park facilities. Explore opportunities
to repurpose Measure CW funds ($2 million
annually) towards stormwater system
maintenance, and pursue Measure W and
grant funding for stormwater capital costs.
2. Initiate a food and beverage
oper
ation within PRCS parks and
facilities to generate a new source
of revenue for the department.
2.1. Further define park s and facilities that can
support food and beverage operations.
2.2. Retrofit or redesign e
xisting facilities where
appropriate.
2.3. Create a staf
fing plan and hire new personnel
within PRCS.
2.4. Explore opportunities to partner with loc
al
and regional businesses to help bolster their
growth and provide additional amenities for
the community.
3. Reduce staff turnover at high levels
throughout the department.
3.1. Conduct a survey of staff needs and satisfaction
on a y
early basis.
3.2. Create a plan f
or incorporating staff feedback.
3.3. Identify o
verburdened and/or inadequately
staffed sectors within the department.
3.4. Evaluat
e if applicants are pursuing a senior
position only for a short time period (for
example, less than 1-2 years) and consider
other applicants.
3.5. Create a plan for succession at various levels
of staff that provides incentives for inter-
departemental crossover and training.
4. Reduce long term operations and
maint
enance costs on city parks and
facilities.
4.1. Create a sustainable maintenance plan for
Culv
er City parks including existing and
proposed parks.
4.2. Audit third-party v
endors for efficiency and cost
effectiveness.
4.3. Explore opportunities to add or minimiz
e
third-party vendors.
4.4. Incorpor
ate energy efficient technologies
and equipment.
4.5. Incorpor
ate solar and other renewable energy.
4.6. Use low-w
ater landscape plants and reduce
non-functional turf.
4.7. Incorpor
ate stormwater capture and recycled
water for irrigation where possible.
90 DRAFT THE PL AN // g o ALS, ACTIo NS, mETH od S Figure 76. The Veterans Memorial Building is home to several PRCS offices. Source: PRCS, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 91
Figure 77. The view from Culver City Park extends northwest towards the Santa Monica Mountains. Source: OLIN, 2024. 92 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SYS
TEm
SC
ALE
The modern-day Culver City park system began
to emerge after the incorporation of Culver City in
1917. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, land for parks was
dedicated amidst rapid conversion from farmland
to housing. This era was also accompanied by the
establishment and prominence of movie studios
in Culver City, such as MGM. The 1950’s and 1960’s
saw much of the planting of the now mature urban
forest, along with the construction of parks facilities and buildings.13
Most of the land currently in Culver City today
was annexed by the mid-20th century. After
more than 40 land annexations in the City’s history,
Culver City is currently about five square miles. 14
About four percent of the land within City limits
is parkland.
In the 1968 General Plan, Culver City adopted a
goal of 10 total acres of parkland per thousand
residents which would require Culver City Parks
to meet a goal of at least 3 acres per thousand
residents through City-owned parks. While total
acres is not the only important metric for parks
availability and quality, these goals are long-
standing for the city.
This chapter summarizes the existing conditions
and present-day needs of the parks system and
the proposed strategies to meet the system needs
in the coming decades.
SYSTEM SCALE5|
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 93
Key Analysis Findings
This Parks Plan is based on an analysis of needs
and an analysis of opportunities. Assessing needs
requires understanding existing conditions
throughout the Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services (PRCS) system.
Needs in all the parks were analyzed to inform
plan recommendations. Several key findings
were informed by community feedback, data,
and a review of past and ongoing planning
efforts. The findings range from parkland need
and pressure to the parks system’s cultural,
hydrological, and resiliency context. With
growing population demands, pressure on the 13
city-owned and operated parks will increase. New
parkland is needed.
Figure 78. Key analysis findings represent information gathered through system wide data analysis as well as interfacing with city leadership, community voices, and on the ground observations during the planning process. Source: OLIN, 2024.
In addition to overall acreage needs, this Parks
Plan also considers other multi-benefit climate-
resilient strategies for the future of the parks. For
example, integrated water resources planning
has significant potential for Culver City, including
several parks that can help meet regional
stormwater capture and treatment goals. The
parks system also has a singular opportunity to
increase habitat and shade connectivity, which
can further increase community resilience, health,
and wellbeing.
Cultural needs are also part of the system needs
assessment, including the current availability of
elements such as arts and cultural facilities and
the ability for parks to help connect or enhance
cultural components in the future.
94 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 95
PARKLAND
Current Park
Acres
General Plan
2045 Service
Ratio per
1,000 people
Current
Service Ratio
per 1,000
people
Acres
Needed to
Meet the
Standard
Current
Acreage
Shortfall
2045
Projection
Needed to
Meet the
Standard
2045
Projection
Shortfall
City of Culver
City Parks 90.4 3 2.2 121.9 31.5 184.8 94.4
Joint Use
Facilities 30.0 1 0.7 40.6 10.6 61.6 31.6
Regional
Parks 240.0 6 5.9 243.8 3.8 369.6 129.6
Total 360.4 10.0 8.8 406.4 46 616 255.6
PARK ACREA g E : CURRENT AN d PR o JECTE d ST ANd ARd AN d SH o RTF ALL Figure 79. (Table Above) Park Level of Service standards were set originally by the 1968 General Plan and are proposed by the Planning Department to be carried forward into the General Plan 2045 Source: City of Culver City, California, 1968 General Plan Recreation Element, Table 1: Summary of Recommendations. 1968. General Plan 2045, City of Culver City, California: Public Draft General Plan, 2023 September 29. Page 138.
Figure 80. (Opposite Top) This map shows SB1000 priority neighborhoods as defined in the General Plan 2045. The Culver City General Plan 2045 uses this term to identify and refer to “disadvantaged communities” as defined by criteria in the California Health and Safety Code. Source: City of Culver City, California Public General Plan, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024.
Figure 81. (Opposite Bottom) The existing acreage and shortfall acreage for parkland is broken down by type of park. Culver City needs approximately 31.5 acres of parkland to meet the General Plan 2045 Standard. Source: City of Culver City, California, 1968 General Plan Recreation Element, Table 1: Summary of Recommendations. 1968.
Culver City has a need for additional park acreage
to reduce park pressure and meet the increasing
needs of the current and projected population.
This includes a need for more overall park acreage,
improved walkability and access to parks, and
reduced individual park pressure on parks that
serve a disproportionate number of users by
walkshed. A variety of land acquisition, joint use,
and potential guidelines for future development
were investigated and are described here as
recommendations for this Culver City Parks Plan.
During these studies an emphasis was placed on
areas with existing high-park pressure as well as
the draft General Plan 2045 identified as “Equity
Focused Neighborhoods” also known as “SB1000
tracts.”
These recommendations consider options for
early actions/implementation as well as those that
require long-term planning and coordination with
external entities and departments within Culver
City. These proposals support the Parks Plan goal to
provide equitable access to parks and park facilities.
Acreage Need
Culver City’s goal is to provide at least 10 acres
of park per every 1,000 residents. This goal was
adopted in the 1968 General Plan and was brought
forward into the draft General Plan 2045.15 This 10
acre goal is split into three separate categories of
Culver City Parks (3 acres), Joint Use Facilities (1
acre), and Regional Parks such as state and county
facilities (6 Acres). At the current population of
40,640 people, the current park need overall is 360.4
park acres with a shortfall of 46 acres, of which
Culver City parks is responsible for 31.5 acres (See
Table 1 below).
By 2045, population projections in the General
Plan 2045 estimate that the population will grow
to 61,600 residents. This means that the park acre
shortfall for the city will increase to 256 park acres
to achieve the service standard of 10 acres per 1,000
residents overall. Out of this, Culver City would be
responsible for an additional 94.4 acres, essentially
requiring a doubling of the city’s park acreage to
meet this demand (See table in Figure 79 below).
This indicates that to maintain a similar amount
of parkland per person, additional sites need to
be located.
96 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
SB1000 DESIGNATION
SB1 000 Tract
SB1 000 Threshold Tract
City o verall g oal: 406.4 acres
10 Acr
es per 1,000 residents
Regional
Parks
Joint Use
Facilities
City of Culver
City Parks
31.5 ACRES
~ 11
ACRES
~4
ACRES
CURRENT ACREA g E NEE d
SHORTFALLCURRENT
ACREAGE
LEGEND
EQUITY FOCUS
NEIGHBORHOODS
0 N
3/4 1.5 miles
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 97
What is a “Parkshed’?
Parksheds are an estimated service
area for each park based on the
closest walking distance. They are
a great tool to help understand
equitable access to parks.
Figure 82. Park pressure takes an overlay of population and parkshed to determine the acres of parkland per 1000 residents within the parkshed. Areas with less than 3.3 acres per 1,000 resident are defined as under “high pressure” based on LA County standards. Source:
Parksheds defined using walking distance along U.S. Census Bureau Tiger/Line Shapefiles, Roads, 2022; Population within parkshed derrived from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2021, 5-Year Estimates, 2021. OLIN, 2024.
PARK PRESSURE
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
Los Angeles County Parks
State Parks
PARKS PRESSURE
(Acres per 1 000 residents in parkshed)
0 .10
1.0 1+ acres per 1 000
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Ballona Wetlands
Ecological Reserve
Culver City Park
1 3.59 Acres per 1 000
Syd Kronenthal Park
2.5 Acres per 1 000
Lindberg Park
1. 1 Acres per 1 000
Blanco Park
0.94 Acres per 1 000
El Marino Park
0.66 acres per 1 000
Fox Hills Park
1. 1 1 Acres per 1 000
Fox Hills Parkette
0.42 acres per 1 000
Blair Hills Park
2.63 Acres per 1 000
Tellefson Park
0. 1 5 Acres per 1 000
Coombs Parkette
0.89 Acres per 1 000
Culver West Alexander Park
0. 1 9 Acres per 1 000
Carlson Park
0.83 Acres per 1 000
Veterans Memorial Park
1.33 Acres per 1 000
Media Park
0. 1 9 Acres per 1 000
Baldwin Hills Scenic
Overlook State Park
8.3 Acres per 1 000
Understanding Park Pressure
While total park acreage has long dominated the
conversation for parks systems, another, perhaps
more telling metric used today is park pressure. Park
pressure is another means of measuring need that
evaluates whether residents have equitable access
in their parksheds. Park pressure can be determined
by dividing a geography into “parksheds” based
on what park is the closest to walk to. After this
geography is determined, the total population of
the parkshed is determined. Using the total acreage
of the park space and the total population that it
serves, the amount of park acres available per 1,000
residents can be estimated.16
0 N
1/2 1 mile
98 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
Park Name
Walkshed includes
development focus area Park Acres
Park Pressure
(Park Acres per 1000 Residents in Parkshed)
Current Projected (2045)19
Blair Hills Park N/A 1.8 2.63 2.32
Blanco Park Jefferson Big Box 3.1 0.94 0.84
Carlson Park N/A 2.5 0.83 0.76
Coombs Parkette N/A 0.5 0.89 0.76
Culver City Park N/A 3.41 13.59 12.1
Culver West Alexander
Park N/A 3.1 0.19 0.18
El Marino Park Jefferson Big Box 1.6 0.69 0.53
Fox Hills Park Fox Hills 10.0 1.11 0.72
Fox Hills Parkette Fox Hills 0.8 0.42 0.12
Lindberg Park Jefferson Big Box 4.2 1.10 0.91
Syd Kronenthal Park Hayden Tract 6.1 2.50 1.3
Tellefson Park N/A 1.5 0.15 0.14
Veterans Memorial Park N/A 16.1 1.33 1.24
PARK ACREAGE: CURRENT AND PROJECTED STANDARD AND SHORTFALL Figure 83. Park pressure on City of Culver City-owned and maintained parks is projected to increase across the city in the next 15 years. Source:
OLIN adapted from data including General Plan 2045, LA County Parks and Recreation, 2022 estimated population. U.S. Census Bureau. Table S0101: “Age and Sex.” 2017-2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.
The table in Figure 83 shows park pressure for each
park owned and operated by PRCS. Larger parks
like Culver City Park have less pressure on average
with 13.59 acres per 1,000 residents. In contrast,
smaller parks, and parks in higher density areas with
less other parks around, have high park pressure
including Tellefson Park, Culver West Alexander
Park, and Fox Hills Parkette. These parks have an
estimated 0.14, 0.19, and 0.42 acres available per
1,000 residents in their respective parksheds. Some
parks are large but service a broad and dense area
of the city. For example, Veterans Memorial Park
which is 16.1 acres provides 1.33 park acres per
1,000 residents in its parkshed.
The LA County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation
Needs Assessment (PNA) defines parks below 3.3
acres of park space per 1000 residents of a parkshed
as “high pressure.” The PNA also noted that over
80% of the county’s parks fall into this category.17
Similarly, in Culver City, all but one of PRCS’s 13
parks fall into the category of “high pressure”.
With the population and population density in
Culver City expected to grow, park pressure will
increase if no new parks are added and park acres
remain the same. To understand areas that will
be more greatly impacted by these changes, the
projected population was distributed throughout
parksheds in the city with emphasis on areas
labeled as “Activity Centers” in the General Plan
2045 that will have more focused development
and changes in land use zoning with increased
dwelling unit density.18 When considering this shift
in population trends, the projected park pressure
was estimated.
2. CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 99
Tellefson Park
Coombs Parkette
Carlson Park
Figure 84. Map of walking distance to parks within PRCS’ system in and around Culver City. Many neighborhoods (in red) have a greater than 10 minute walk to a park. Source:
Walksheds defined using walking distance along U.S. Census Bureau Tiger/Line Shapefiles, Roads, 2022; OLIN, 2024.
GAPS IN PARKS WALKABILITY
The 10-Minute Walk Principle
Equitable access to parks is often
measured by the “10-Minute
Walk” benchmark.20 This distance,
generally considered one-half mile,
is the distance that most able-bodied
individuals can travel and will travel
to access a park or park amenity to
experience the documented benefits
of open space and park access.
Park Access
The Culver City General Plan 2045 estimates that
about 90 percent of Culver City residents live within
a half-mile--or 10 minute--walk of their nearest park
and strives to extend that to 100% of residents.21 The
LA Countywide Parks Needs Assessment notes that
this half-mile distance is indicative of the length
most pedestrians are willing to walk to access a
park and state that it is the most widely adopted
standard in the United States in terms of park
distance goals. 22 A walkshed analysis including
Culver City-owned parks as well as LA County
and state-owned parks reveals gaps within the
park network, particularly in the neighborhoods
of Culver/West, McLaughlin, Park West, Park East,
and Lucerne/Higuera as well as residents who live
near the boundary of Culver City. A stated goal
of the General Plan 2045 is to close gaps in park
walkability, and have a park within a 10 minute walk
of all residents. This can be achieved both through
building new parks in underserved areas as well
as reducing barriers and improving connections
to parklands.
Veterans Memorial Park
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
Los Angeles County Parks
State Parks
PARKS PRESSURE
(Distance to Park)
> 1 0 Minute Walk
5-1 0 Minute Walk
5 Minute Walk or Less
Culver West Alexander Park
100 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
Culver City Park
Syd Kronenthal Park
Lindberg Park
Blanco Park
El Marino Park
Fox Hills Park
Fox Hills Parkette
Blair Hills Park
0 N
1/4 1/2 mile
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 101
System-wide Opportunities
• Increasing Outdoor and Parkland
Ar
eas within Existing Parks
• Guidelines and Specific Plans
to Incre
ase Open Space and
Parkland within General Plan
2045 Future Development Zones
• Joint Use Agr
eements
and Opportunities
• New De
velopment +
Underutilized Parcels
Figure 85. Culver City could investigate opportunities with new developments and to increase parkland. Source: PRCS, 2024.
Opportunities
Culver City has a number of opportunities to address
the existing and projected park and parkland needs
of their population but there is no one-size-fits-all
solution. Culver City will need to consider a range
of system-wide strategies to reach the parkland
acreage and distribution of services needed to
meet population demands. These approaches are
summarized on the following pages in the following
four categories, including:
• Increasing Outdoor and Parkland Areas
within Existing Park
s
• Guidelines and Specific Plans to Increase
Open Spac
e and Parkland within General
Plan 2045 Future Development Zones
• Joint Use Agreements and Opportunities
• New De
velopment + Underutilized Parcels
102 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
Figure 86. These are two areas in existing park and PRCS land holdings where land can be reclaimed for park use. More information about the design of existing parks within the Culver City PRCS system can be found in the next chapter, Chapter 7: Site Scale. 0’
N
100’ 200’ 400’
CULVER BLVD.
BARMAN AVE.
OVERLAND AVE.
COOMBS AVE.WENDE
MUSEUM
SENIOR
CENTER
THE PLUNGE
POOL
TEEN CENTER
PROPOSED
Figure 102. Proposed site plan of Veterans Memorial Park. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
PROPOSED (SILVER)
• (Planned) Convert path and playground
lighting to LEDs. This CIP was awarded
$300,000 by the City Council. Select lighting
with glare shields and dark skies certification.
• Replace picnic pavilions. Add additional
rentable picnic pavilions.
• Improve the existing walking/jogging path,
make it ADA accessible, and extend it around
to all elements in the park.
• Remove the central softball diamond to
create a multipurpose event space and
upgrade the corner softball field (move
bleachers from central field to corner softball
field, replace existing field lighting).
• Add play pool and/or splash amenity next to
the existing Plunge Pool.
• Renovate the Plunge Pool and locker/shower
facilities.
• Renovate the Scout House.
• Convert the paddle tennis courts to an art
makerspace and gallery.
• Remove the surface parking and add a
parking garage along Culver Blvd. with racket
sport courts on the rooftop and a rentable
gallery or cafe/restaurant space along the
street front to activate Culver Blvd.
• Enhance the streetscape and street tree
planting along Culver Blvd.
• Based on the current condition of Veterans
Memorial Building, any renovations would
trigger a series of code compliance issues. The
recommended path forward is to demolish
the building and create a new facility rather
than making piecemeal improvements.
This facility can match the new cultural and
performing arts building that was proposed
in the Feasibility Study completed in March
2024.
• Preserve the only part of the building that is
on the historic register, the window on the
corner that overlooks Overland Ave. Preserve
the tower that is an iconic part of the existing
Veterans Memorial Building.
• Include rentable food and beverage space
on the parkside of the building and include
an outdoor cafe, restaurant, or plaza space in
some of the area where the surface parking
lot currently exists.
PROPOSED (GOLD)
• Feasibility Study Full Concept (study
completed in March 2024).
• Consolidate parking on the Senior Center lot
into a parking structure bordering Overland
Ave. Add racket sport courts to the roof of the
parking structure.
• Expand park space and activity areas on the
Senior Center property.
• Make the on-grade street crossing safer with
a wide and signaled crosswalk across Culver
Blvd.
• Add a pedestrian bridge connecting the
Senior Center and the new Veterans Memorial
Building.
PROPOSED (STORMWATER)
• Veterans Park was included as a priority
concept project in the SWQMP. The proposed
stormwater improvements involve installing
underground storage for infiltration. Runoff
would be diverted from the existing storm
drain along Overland Ave, pretreated to
remove sediment and fine particles, and
routed to the underground storage. Under
favorable geotechnical conditions, the stored
water would be infiltrated. If infiltration at
the site is infeasible, stored water would be
released to the sanitary sewer. Additionally, a
shallow reservoir could be pump-filled from
deeper storage for use in passive irrigation
of the park’s fields. Since the majority
of the Veterans Park watershed area is
within the City of Los Angeles, maximizing
the stormwater capacity can provide
opportunities for credit trading and make
progress towards achieving Ballona Creek
EWMP targets.
• Regional stormwater capture site: Due to
the proposed new parking structure, picnic
shelters, and other amenities, LID BMP
will likely be required. As Veteran’s Park is
currently utilizing captured stormwater from
another project nearby (Culver Boulevard
Project), it is not anticipated that the SWQMP
regional stormwater capture BMP will be
a priority for implementation and on-site
BMPs would be required for stormwater
compliance. On-site stormwater design must
follow the LA County LID Hierarchy and retain
stormwater from proposed improvement
areas to the maximum extent practicable.
Where retention is infeasible, biotreatment
systems may be proposed following the
county’s guidance.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 12 912 8 DRAFT THE PLAN // SITE SCALE
PROPOSED FEATURE TREES
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
Heteromeles
arbutifolia
Toyon
*Native species
Juglans californica
California walnut
*Native species
0’
N
100’ 200’ 400’
JEFFERSON BLVD.
BALDWIN HILLS
SCENIC OVERLOOK
STATE PARK
INGLEWOOD
OIL FIELDS
SITEWIDE UPDATES:
THE BONEYARD
DOG PARK
BILL BOTTS
FIELD
LEASH LN.
LOTZ LN.
DUQUESNE AVE.
ROSE
GARDEN
SKATE
PARK
ROPES
COURSE
PARK TO
PLAYA TRAIL
PICNIC
AREA
PROPOSED
Figure 166. Proposed site plan of Culver City Park. This park offers the best opportunity for enhanced native habitat. Source: OLIN, 2024.
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
• (Planned, Fall 2024) Improve the upper
softball fields and Bill Botts Field.
• Install pile-driven fencing.
• Add a jogging track around the fields.
• Install Bermuda hybrid grass.
• Layout two additional fields at Bill Botts.
• (Planned) Convert path and playground
lighting to LEDs. This CIP was awarded
$300,000 by the City Council. Select lighting
with glare shields and dark skies certification.
• Remove invasive vegetation such as castor
bean and black mustard.
• Select drought-tolerant, locally native
vegetation for new or replacement plantings
to enhance park identity.
• Improve the existing conditions of BoneYard
Dog Park.
• Add planter boundaries to surround the
existing trees in the park to help protect
their roots and prevent erosion.
• Add new trees in the dog park in protected
planting beds.
• Replace electrical infrastructure.
• Create an outdoor classroom with camp-
style log seating near the ropes course.
• Designate the upper fields to be used for
soccer only, and designate the updated Bill
Botts fields to be used for softball/baseball
only to allow for scheduling clarity and turf
regeneration between playing seasons.
• Create an outdoor community space or new
scout house in the current CalTrans storage
area.
• Convert storage area near lower playground
to become picnic grove and racket sports
courts, which would be possible if additional
storage is located offsite, such as at Cougar
Park.)
• Add a cafe and outdoor seating area near the
racket sports area.
• Rebuild an ADA accessible nature walk ramp
with multiple viewing platforms and rest
areas with an elevated deck construction.
Include staircase connections between each
of the platforms.
• Add hiking trails to activate the northern
slope that is underutilized. Stabilize this
slope.
• Add an open-air pavilion nature center near
the lower picnic area.
• Include three new rentable picnic groves
alongside the nature center.
• Feasibility Study Full Concept (study
completed in March 2024).
ON-SITE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
The new nature center, sports areas and roadways
redevelopment will likely require LID BMPs. Due
to the history of soil contamination at Culver City
Park, infiltration may be limited and considered
infeasible. Drywells may be explored in final
design to infiltrate stormwater at elevations below
any surface soil contamination. If infiltration is
determined to be infeasible, harvest and use may be
assessed. If retention is infeasible, lined biofiltration with underdrains or proprietary biofiltration may
be implemented to treat stormwater runoff from
the improvement areas. For the new roadway,
proprietary biofiltration such as treewells may be
most feasible due to anticipated limited space.
CULVER CITY PARK
Figure 167. Option 1. The CalTrans storage area could become the location of a relocated Scout House. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 168. Option 2. The CalTrans storage area could become the location of an outdoor gathering space. Source: OLIN, 2024. 22 22
21 21
20 20
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 10
19 19
11 11
12 12
13 13
14 14
15 15
16 16
17 17
18 18
DETAIL
DETAIL: OPTION 1
DETAIL: OPTION 2
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 15 91 58 DRAFT THE PLAN // SITE SCALE The Culver City Senior Center is widely beloved
and is an invaluable resource to the community.
Nearly half of the parcel that the center occupies
today is surface parking lots. The use of the Senior
Center requires parking for community members
as well as staff of the center, and a long-term vision
for the site in conjunction with improvements at
the adjacent Veterans Memorial site should be to
consolidate parking largely into parking structures
in order to increase surface area for park and open
space without reducing parking.
In coordination with CalTrans, a large area within
Culver City Park that is currently owned by Culver
City parks and dedicated to CalTrans storage should
be returned to parkland. This area within Culver
Park could then primarily become an amenity area
within the park.
PRCS currently has a storage yard at Culver City Park
as well which can be repurposed as parkland. This
would relocate much of the city storage, perhaps
to the PRCS owned Cougars site at Slauson Ave
and Hannum Ave with appropriate screening. The
Cougards site is not a viable parkland given the
dangerous traffic conditions that must be navigated
to reach the parcel on foot.
SENIOR CENTER
CULVER CITY PARK
STORAGE AREAS
Increased Outdoor/Parkland Areas
Within Existing Areas
Areas within Culver Park and adjacent to Veterans
Memorial Park were identified for changes in their
use to maximize public outdoor space and add
over 2.5 acres of park space. In Culver City Park
this includes reimagining an existing storage area
owned by PRCS and currently utilized by CalTrans.
At the Senior Center this includes reimagining
areas of surface parking. More information about
the design and uses for these areas can be read in
Chapter 6: Site Scale.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 103
Public Draft
Released September 29, 2023
General Plan 2045 Future Development Zones
and Activity Areas
There are four main opportunity areas labeled
as “special study areas” and/or “activity zones” in
the General Plan 2045 that present opportunities
for Culver City to increase park acreage. These
new development areas in the city include the
Hayden Tract, Fox Hills, the Inglewood Oil Field,
and the Jefferson Sawtelle Big Box Area. These
collectively offer significant once-in-a-generation
opportunities for new parkland at large scales that
form connective parkland for local and regional
communities.
Fox Hills and the Hayden Tract:
Both Fox Hills (~340 acres) and the Hayden Tract (~91
acres) are primed for imminent next steps through
the Culver City Advance Planning Department
neighborhood specific plans process.23 During the
upcoming development of these specific plans
and any future neighborhood specific plan, the
city should require a minimum land allocation of
10% of developable land area or no less than 3 acre
per 1000 persons planned for the development,
whichever results in more park area to add a
community center, linear greens, and/or parkland.
To maximize open space and potential future
connections to the Ballona Creek Bike Path, future
development of the Hayden tract should include
an offset requirement from the Ballona Creek to
create a parkland interface with the creek and bike
path. This offset from the creek could be set aside
as public land where runoff could be treated before
it flows into the creek.
For both neighborhoods, it is recommended that
a green street strategy be implemented in future
development to consolidate vehicular traffic, allow
for pedestrian corridors with stormwater treatment,
and plant native vegetation with increased tree
canopy.
Inglewood Oil Field (Culver City Owned Portion):
The Inglewood Oil Field includes approximately
1,000 acres, 78 of which are in the boundaries of
Culver City.24 At the time of the decommissioning
of the oilfield in the estimated year of 2035 or
sooner, the city should create at a minimum 20
acres of publicly accessible open space through the
acquisition of lands or partnerships as outlined in
the section below. The General Plan 2045 zoning
currently requires some areas to remain open space
when purchased and developed. The Baldwin Hills
Conservancy already owns some of these parcels,
which offers an opportunity for future parklands.
10 4 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
PARKLAND OPPORTUNITIES
Inglewood Oil Field
Jefferson Blvd.
Big Box
Hayden Tract
Fox Hills
S L A U S O N A V E
C U L V E R C I T Y
W E S T F I E L D
FOUR POINTS
BY SHERATON
S P R O U T S
C U L V E R C I T Y
T R A N S I T
C E N T E R
T R A D E R
J O E ’ S TIKTOK
HQ
F O X H I L L S
P A R K
K E N S I N G T O N
U P L A N D E R W A Y
C A N T E R B U R Y D R I V ES U M N E R
W I N D S O R
C A M B R I D G E
H E A T H E R
V I L L A G E
T H E
M E A D O W S
H I L L S I D E M E M O R I A L P A R K
H O L Y C R O S S
DOVERWOOD DRIVE
S E P U L V E D A B O U L E V A R DJ E F F E R S O N B O U L E V A R D
H A N N U M A V E
B R I S T O L PARKWAY
F O X H I L L S D R I V E
405
90 GREEN VALLEY CIRCLE
BUCKINGHAM PARKWAY
S C E N T I N E L A A V E
10D
10A10E
10F
10C
10B
SAFERFOX HILLS
DISCLAIMER
These conceptual plans are
preliminary and subject to
change based on stakeholder
& community feedback and
City Council direction.
500 ft
rev. 05.16.24
1 6
6 10
10 New traffic signal
Bus stop improvement
Protected intersection
New or upgraded crosswalk
Curb extensions
Roadway configurations
Directional concrete-
protected bike lane
Two-way concrete-
protected bike lane
Conventional bike lane
LEGEND
1 6
10 BETTEROVERLAND
Connection Point
6 6
10A
The Fox Hills Neighborhood is a “special study
area” designated as a future growth zone in
the Culver City General Plan 2045. It also has
ongoing initiatives for safer street infrastructure
and increased connections. Rethinking public
rights-of-way gives opportunities for increased
parkland connections as well as improved
amenities like shade, green infrastructure, and
amenities for multimodal transit.
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
PLANNING IN FOX HILLS
Figure 87. The Safer Fox Hills and Better Overland is an initiative led by Culver City Public Works and includes conceptual plans for improving neighborhood connections. Source: Safer Fox Hills Conceptual Plans, Culver City Public Works, 2024. Pg. 1.
Figure 88. Map of the opportunity areas for increased parkland, park facilities, and relief of park pressure. Many of these areas will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire new parkland in the coming decades. Source: Activity Zones, Development Neighborhoods, General Plan 2045, City of Culver City, California: Public Draft General Plan, 2023 September 29. Culver City Parks, LA County GIS Data Portal, Countywide Parks and Open Space, 2022. Parcel Boundaries:
LA County Assessor, 2024.
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
Water
TRANSIT
Roads
Freeways
OPPORTUNITY ZONES (GENERAL PLAN)
Inglewood Oil Field
General Plan 2045 Development Neighborhoods
General Plan 2045 Activity Zone of Interest
OTHER
Sites Investigated
Schools + School Yards
0 N
3/4 1.5 miles
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 105
Figure 89. Veterans Memorial Park includes legacy trees that are beloved by the community. Source: OLIN, 2023.
Activity Center Jefferson Sawtelle Big Box Area:
The General Plan 2045 notes several future “Activity
Centers” in addition to special study areas. One of
these areas is a 35-acre grouping of large parcels
currently occupied by big box retail stores and
surface parking lots. This complex is along Jefferson
Blvd near the intersection of Sawtelle Blvd. This area
was also brought up in community outreach events
as having several retail facilities that are potentially or already closing including Big Lots, Pavilions, and
Bed Bath and Beyond. The south east side of the site
abuts Blanco Park. The site should be investigated
for possible future recreational and community
services facilities in any future development.
Joint Use Agreements/Opportunities
Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD):
CCUSD has a network of school sites, school yards,
and playgrounds throughout the city. Currently,
Blanco Park is an example of joint use between
the school and PRCS. It is governed by a joint-
use MOU. In order to increase resident access to
parks and open spaces, the city should revisit,
revise, and formalize additional MOUs for joint
use. Opportunities include El Marino Park and Syd
Kronenthal Park which are directly adjacent to
schools.
As stated in the draft General Plan 2045,
Implementation Action PR-8.4, if in the instance
any school facility should close due to declining
enrollment, the city should consider purchasing
that property for community use.
106 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PARK JOINT USE PRECEDENTS
The SPARK School Park Program works with schools
and neighborhoods to develop community parks on
public school grounds. Since 1983, SPARK has built
over 200+ community parks with 150+ currently
active. Each park is unique, with its design based
on ideas and needs of the school and surrounding
neighborhoods.
SPARK Parks are available for public use after the
school day (including after-school programs) has
ended and on weekends and holidays.
The “Shared Schoolyards” program in San Francisco
was created in 2007 to provide better access to
open areas by utilizing schoolyards that were
not being used. The goal was to include at least
one schoolyard in each supervisorial district, then
expanding to almost 40 schoolyards that are open
every weekend. SFUSD now manages all aspects
of the program, including outreach, contract
management, and operations.
The Facilities Department in SFUSD aims to add
1,651,352 square feet (equivalent to almost 38
acres) of open space for the people of San Francisco
to use and enjoy on weekends.
Since the 1920s, Seattle Public Schools and Parks
and Rec have pooled their resources to meet
the continuous youth and community demand
for developmental and recreation opportunities.
Around one-in-three public schools adjoin SPR’s
land or facilities.
The goal of the agreement is to maximize use of
facilities for mutual benefit, with the understanding
that the cost of use of the facilities offset each
other. Benefits include giving first priority in
reciprocal scheduling of each other’s facilities,
encouraging school principals and community
center coordinators to work together, and providing
opportunities for joint planning, problem solving ,
and information sharing.
Figure 90. People relax at Mission Dolores Park. Source: Tiago Pestana/ Shutterstock.com
Figure 91. Seattle cityscape overlooking ball field. Source: Kaidum/ Shutterstock.com
Houston, TX
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Figure 92. Children playground activities in public park at sunset in Houston, Texas. Source: Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock.com
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 107
Park-to-Playa and Kenneth Hahn:
Blair Hills Park and Culver City Park are adjacent to
portions of the Park-to-Playa Trail and the Kenneth
Hahn State Recreation Area. This relationship
should be strengthened to increase Culver City
residents’ access to natural areas. The Parks Plan
proposes a new connection between Blair Hills
and the Park-to-Playa Trail; see more information
in the Site Recommendations section.
Inglewood Oil Field (LAC Unincorporated):
As mentioned above, the Inglewood Oil Field (IOF)
includes approximately 1,000 acres, 78 of which are
in the boundaries of Culver City. 25 The remaining
acreage is within LA County Unincorporated with
approximately 400 of those acres considered within
the “sphere of influence” of Culver City by the General Plan 2045. At the time of the decommissioning
of the oil field in the estimated year of 2035 or
sooner, state conservancies such as the Baldwin
Hills Conservancy and county entities such as LA
County Department Parks and Recreation could
plan to acquire this area, or a large portion of it, as preserved open space.
The Baldwin Hills Regional Conservation Authority
(BHRCA; a joint powers authority of the Baldwin Hills
& Urban Watersheds Conservancy and the County of
LA) already owns approximately 125 acres of land in
the IOF. The city should continue the collaboration
begun during the Parks Plan to coordinate with
state and county entities for future joint use and/or
coordination on future grant possibilities for land
acquisition and park development. In this process
the city would evaluate and select appropriate
remediation techniques for future Inglewood Oil
Fields sites.
MAP LEGEND
Municipal Boundaries
Inglewood Oil Field
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Parks
Park-to-Playa Trail
Water
TRANSIT
Roads
Freeways
JOINT USE IN THE
BALDWIN HILLS
Figure 93. The Inglewood Oil Field represents a significant opportunity for new joint use facilities in Culver City.
Source: LA County GIS Data Portal, Countywide Parks and Open Space, Countywide Multi-Use Trails, 2022. 0 N
1/2 1 mile
Blair Hills Park
Kenneth Hahn State
Recreation Area
Culver City Park
Inglewood Oil Field
Within Culver City
Inglewood Oil Field
LAC Unincorporated
Area Within General
Plan 2045 Zone Of
Influence
Inglewood Oil Field
Remaining LAC
Unincorporated Area
108 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
Figure 94. View of Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park. Source: PRCS, 2023.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 109
New Development and Underutilized Parcels
Several parcels within Culver City that are currently
were researched for potential new park space
through an approach considering ownership,
zoning, and vacancy status, overlaid with systematic
needs. These included both parcels owned by the
city and other municipalities as well as private
ownership. However, it is very difficult to identify
available affordable lands for sale in Culver City.
Parcels already owned by Culver City should
continue to be evaluated for potential inclusion
of park space in future development.
The main parcels explored are listed in Figure 955
with a description for reference in the instance
that future changes in Culver City result in new
opportunities to re-evaluate these areas.
Figure 95. (Page Right) This series of aerial images show sites explored for future parkland that were not deemed feasible in the short term. The city should periodically review vacant and underutilized land for possible future park sites. Source: LA County Assessor, 2024.
The city should periodically
review vacant and
underutilized land for
possible future park sites.
Figure 96. New developments and underutilized parcels should be explored for potential new park space. Source: PRCS, 2024. 110 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
A five-acre parcel at the base of the
Baldwin Hills Overlook was evaluated
as a possible site for new court sport
amenities. Part of this site is under
consideration by Public Works for use
as a storage area. There is no current
opportunity for this site to become
parkland but PRCS should continue to
monitor the site for future plans and
opportunity.
A 0.3 acre site along National Blvd
under the Exposition Line Train was
identified and brought to the attention
of the city during the Draft Parks Plan
phase. Some or all of this site is under
consideration for recreational use in the
future including as a site for pickleball
and/or other suitable uses.
A four-acre parcel currently zoned as
commercial with unknown ownership
was identified in the Fox Hills
Neighborhood. While not currently for
sale, this parcel could be acquired and
developed into a park site that would
serve the current and future population
of Fox Hills.
This commercial parcel just north of
Fox Hills Park was identified early in the
process. It could connect to the park
and allow for increased connectivity
to developing neighborhoods to the
north which currently have very limited
pedestrian or bicycle access but it is
currently occupied.
Parcels and Sites Explored
An 18-acre LA Community College
parcel near Culver Park was evaluated
for possible acquisition and transition
to parkland. Due to ownership by the
college and difficulty in coordination,
this site was excluded from further
consideration in the near term. It could
be a part of a long-term joint-use of the
site by PRCS and LACCD, however, it
is anticipated that any improvements
would need to be funded by the city.
A cluster of parcels along Washington
Blvd at Centinela Ave. were identified
as vacant or underutilized, Culver City
Owned, property. These parcels are
directly in an area of Culver City with
some of the highest park pressure as
well as within census tracts identified in
the draft General Plan 2045 as SB 1000,
equity focused neighborhoods.
Currently there is a development
proposal for the parcels that would
include commercial development of
the site by the city into a public market
space with vendor units that has been
largely stalled for a number of years. The
A group of 1.5-acre parcels owned by
Culver City located along the south-
east edge of Ballona Creek and north
of Culver City’s Lindberg Park were
evaluated and excluded from further
consideration because the site is
currently used as a safe encampment/
transitional housing area for the
members of the unhoused population
in Culver City.
A one-acre parcel along north-west of
Ballona Creek north of Syd Kronenthal
Park, owned and operated by Golden
State Water Company, was evaluated
and excluded from further consideration
in the short term due to current use
as a utility. Nonetheless, this site is of
particular interest should future multi-
benefit site design occur. PRCS should
regularly and continually monitor the
plans for this site.
conceptual draft proposal for the site
includes two structures, a large parking
structure and surface parking. This site
should include parkland and amenity
development. This could be through a
sliding scale of involvement or change
from the past proposal including but
not limited to:
• Coordination with Culv
er City
PRCS for food and beverage
revenue generation on the sites
vender/plaza spaces.
• Con
version or co-use of the
parking facilities into recreational
amenities.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 111
PROGRAMMING
Culver City’s parks network already provides a range
of well-attended and well-managed programming.
New and expanded amenities can be bolstered
by new free programming and new fee-based
programming. There is the potential for a wide
variety of revenue opportunities that could result
from expanded programming and don’t detract
from the overall park experience. This might
include expanded food and beverage offerings
and the pursuit of a variety of attractive and unique
partnerships and sponsorships.
Culver City can expand its offerings incrementally to
build on existing successes and provide additional
amenities as well as both free and fee-based
programs. New scheduled programming will also
create new opportunities for the city to partner with
community-based organizations and businesses,
on top of improving the quality of life for Culver
City residents. Each category provides a range of
options that vary by time of day, seasons, intensity
of activity, and demographic cohort. While some
programming may be focused on providing services
by age group, developing use of parks and facilities
that maximizes intergenerational programming is
important to a system-wide network of program.
There are a number of broad needs and
opportunities for Culver City’s park programming:
• The park
s programming strategy should
provide attractions, activities, and signature
events for a wide range of residents,
shoppers, workers, visitors, and others.
Culver City can expand
its offerings incrementally
to build on existing
successes and provide
additional amenities as
well as both free and fee-
based programs.
Figure 97. Community-wide events such as festivals can attract both regular visitors and new users. Source: Joseph Sohm/Shutterstock.com 112 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
MONTHLY
PROGRAMS
BASE PROGRAMS
REGULAR
PROGRAMS
AMENITIES
SPECIAL
EVENTS
• The brand and positioning strategy needs
t
o align with local and national trends
regarding where people want to spend their
free time.
• The most important o
f these continues to be
a movement toward local “authenticity” - or,
a place-based experience with connections
to local culture or history.
Programming opportunities throughout Culver City
are broadly categorized as follows:
• Arts and Culture
• Fitness and Wellness
• Hobbies and Niche Interests
• Markets and Festiv
als
• Live Ent
ertainment
• Education
Figure 98. Base amenities should make up the largest number of services offered, while special events are less frequent.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 113
PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES
An Amenities-Based Strategy
Culver City’s supplemental programming strategy
will feature a series of “amenity nodes” that create
a baseline of activity in the parks system and also
serve as the locations for scheduled programming.
Amenity nodes are themed, semi-permanent
features with self-directed activities available; these activities might center on arts and crafts, games, or
other amenities. They often complement permanent
amenities like pavilions and playgrounds. Relying
on scheduled programming by itself will not create
sustained activity on a consistent basis unless it
is scheduled many times throughout the day at
multiple locations.
• Provide small-scale installations and intimate
workshops and performances, scheduled
during weekday lunches and weekend days.
• Capitalize on adjacencies to arts-related
organizations to focus on arts activities, studios,
and live entertainment through music or
community theater.
• Choreograph more coordinated, perhaps
rotating sculpture exhibits to pique visual
interest without being intrusive or promoting
active uses. These installations can also be
installed in passive spaces in Fox Hills Parkette
and Coombs Parkette, and be visible to
pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
Figure 99. Public art such as Cougars I and II enrich public space.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
Arts and Culture
• Create active, high-intensity classes scheduled
for early weekday mornings and evenings.
• Continue progr
amming through yoga, league
sports, and instruction classes.
• Explore potential partnerships with the Culver-
Palms Family YMCA, as well as with local fitness
businesses (e.g. yoga, weight training, boxing,
etc.) to bring some of their activities and
programs to an outdoor setting.
• Parks with flat field space and proximity
to existing, new, and planned residential
development will support morning and evening
fitness activities, including Veterans Memorial
Park, Fox Hills Park, El Marino Park, Blanco Park,
and Lindberg Park.
• Incorporate Ballona Creek access where
possible with additional programming partners.
Figure 100. Adults attend a yoga class in a park. Source: Agora Partners, 2024.
Fitness and Wellness
Amenities can vary
by time, day,
and season to attract
different audiences.
The near-term focus could be items that can be
quickly and easily put in place to start to establish
a new paradigm for activation of Culver City’s
existing parks.
114 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
• Schedule social and interactive programming
for different subcategories, including special
interests, educational opportunities, and games
with trusted local partners on weeknights and
weekends.
• These programming options are generally
relatively easy to establish and can be done
with a range of programming partners, from
non-profits to retailers.
• Consciously target specific demographics with
specific games, whether “giant” versions, board
games, or table games (such as foosball or ping
pong), especially for lunchtime workers, after-
work happy hour crowds, and after-school
populations.
Figure 101. Child and early-education focused storytime. Source:
Agtora Partners, 2024.
Hobbies and Niche Interests
Figure 102. The skate park at Culver City Park is a unique resource for residents in Culver City. Source: PRCS, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 115
Figure 103. Fiesta La Ballona is the largest annual event run by PRCS. Source: PRCS, 2024. 116 DRAFT THE PL
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PROGRAMMING CATEGORIES (CONTINUED)
• Plan focused community-wide events meant to
be longer in duration and more substantial in
terms of production, scheduled on weekends
and in limited occurrences so as not to
prevent regular usage of parks. This includes
existing festivals such as Fiesta La Ballona
and aspirational programming that will be
achievable in different spaces at different scales.
• Focus on easier to implement programs, but
continue with already-successful events.
Figure 104. Community members enjoy Fiesta La Ballona. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
Markets and Festivals
• Arrange small-scale concerts coordinated with
time of day and year, and in coordination with
the Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission and
the Culver CIty Arts Foundation.
• Schedule more traditional soloists on weekdays
and weekends, with local bands when
appropriate in the evening.
• Incorporate participatory dancing into
live entertainment whenever it is possible
and appropriate (focus on live music and
performance partners that lend themselves
to dancing)
• Schedule D
Js and more traditional soloists at
times and locations where people are more
likely to be (because of established usage
patterns or other programs and events taking
place) on weekdays and weekends, with local
bands when appropriate in the evening
Figure 105. The Culver Steps hosts a musical performance. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
Live Entertainment
• Implement a mix of instructional classes, and
install educ
ational signage in parks.
• Learning opportunities should focus on early
childhood (up to four years old) and seniors,
generally scheduled for weekday mornings.
• Pursue partnerships with mission-driven
nonprofit education organizations to leverage
expertise and subsidize expenses
• In some cases, other activation categories
can be augmented to provide for education
opportunities, e.g. arts education utilizing the
art cart, or health and wellness during fitness
classes
• Include environmental educ
ation by utilizing
proximity to Ballona Creek, topography,
adjacent uses, and viewsheds throughout the
system.
Figure 106. A group of children sit together outside. Source: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com. Accessed June 6, 2024.
Education
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 117
Veterans Memorial Park is one of Culver
City’s community parks with a potential
for a festival-like atmosphere due to
programming intensity, range of users,
amenity buildings (existing, renovated,
or newly constructed) and 7-days-per-
week audience.
Programming Intensity (stabilized year)
1-2 scheduled daily programs on weekdays, 2-3
scheduled programs on weekends; numerous
amenities.
• Arts and Culture: outdoor mo
vies;
interactive rotating art exhibit; local artist
demonstrations.
• Fitness and Wellness: boot c
amps;
kickboxing; meditation; extreme stretching.
• Hobbies and Niche Interests: mak
ers
workshops; gardening workshops.
• Markets and Festiv
als: opportunities for
larger, limited events (Fiesta La Ballona
(existing event), BBQ, Holi Festival, Blues &
Burgers, Oktoberfest, etc.).
• Live Ent
ertainment: silent disco; local bands;
percussion ensemble.
• Education: imagination pla
yground; outdoor
library and reading room.
• Games: large “Lego” blocks; giant “Lit
e Brite”;
table games; Rube Goldberg machine
construction kit.
Recommendations
Revenue and Funding Strategy
High-impact and high-visibility opportunities
should drive event rental, class, and F&B revenue;
larger ticketed events on limited basis; high-value
sponsorship opportunities for individual park
elements.
Partnership Strategy
Larger commercial partnerships to provide staffing,
funding, and operational assistance for amenities
and programs; third-party event management
agreement.
Figure 107. Park users utilize spectator seating at Veterans Memorial Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
118 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
Figure 108. Visitors stroll towards a pavilion in Media Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Media Park is an intimate park focused
on engaging downtown office workers at
lunchtime and keeping them downtown
after the workday. While it is understood
that Media Park is owned by the City of
Los Angeles and managed by Culver City,
it is nonetheless the best opportunity of
Culver City’s parks to engage downtown
workers.
Programming Intensity (stabilized year)
2-3 scheduled programs per week on weekdays.
Programming Focus
• Arts and Culture: salsa dancing; “Drink &
Dra
w”; small exhibitions by local artists.
• Hobbies and Niche Interests: business
netw
orking events; industry-specific talks.
• Live Ent
ertainment: emerging musicians
series; soloists and small group performance.
• Games: cornhole; giant C
onnect Four; ping
pong; putting green; foosball.
MEDIA PARK
Revenue and Funding Strategy
Minimal capital costs required; upfront costs to
be covered within city budget; opportunities for
sponsorships from local business and larger brands.
Partnership Strategy
Local programming partners; nearby retail &
commercial tenants.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 119
Culver City Park is a multi-faceted
community park programmatically
positioned between the neighborhood-
focused Carlson Park and more active
Veterans Memorial Park, with a weekday
focus on nearby workers, seniors, and
0-4 year olds, similar in scope to Fox Hills
Park.
Programming Intensity (stabilized year)
1-2 scheduled daily weekday programs, 2-3
weekend programs.
Programming Focus
• Arts and Culture: musical instrument
petting z
oo; paper making; art cart.
• Fitness and Wellness: w
alking & running
clubs; pétanque/bocce; yoga; tai chi.
• Hobbies and Niche Interests: c
omics library;
dog park with costume show, owners’ social,
and training/grooming workshops.
• Education: en
vironmental education walks;
regional ecosystem talks.
• Games: table games; cornhole; giant
C
onnect Four; large 3D puzzles.
Revenue and Funding Strategy
Larger Culver City business sponsorship
opportunities (pitched as worker amenities).
Partnership Strategy
Local nonprofits; local businesses.
CULVER CITY PARK
Figure 109. The playground was recently renovated at Culver City Park. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 20 DRAFT THE PL
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Carlson Park is a family-oriented
outdoor venue that serves as a quiet
neighborhood park.
Programming Intensity (stabilized year)
One scheduled program per weekend day; limited
to 2-3 per weekend day.
Programming Focus:
• Arts and Culture: stor
ytime; art cart;
watercolor classes; artist-in-residence.
• Fitness and Wellness: running & w
alking
clubs, family yoga.
• Live Ent
ertainment: magic shows, a
cappella, barbershop quartets.
• Education: f
oreign language classes, writing
workshops.
• Games: sca
venger hunt; juggling.
Revenue and Funding Strategy
Minimal capital costs required; upfront costs to be
covered within city budget; arts grants.
CARLSON PARK
Partnership Strategy
Local programming partners – subject-matter
experts, neighborhood residents, local non-profits.
Figure 110. Visitors relax under the trees at Carlson Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 121
ARTS AND CULTURE
Figure 111. An aerial view of Culver City from the 1930s shows the Culver City Hotel and movie studios. Source: Culver CIty Historic images Gallery, City of Culver City, https://www.culvercity.org/Explore/About-Culver-City/Culver-City-Historic-Images/Culver-City-Historic-Images-Gallery.
Culver City is a city founded on the arts and is
deeply connected to the film industry in its cultural
history. Visual and performing arts are important
to nurturing a thriving and vibrant creative
community in Culver City. Parks and the arts are
both connected to community safety, public
health, and mental well-being by numerous
studies.26 Neighborhoods in Culver City should have
equitable access to arts and culture assets and
programming.
Arts and culture can manifest in multiple
ways throughout the city’s open space system.
Permanent public art examples include, but are
not limited to: sculpture, murals, earthworks,
site furnishings, exhibit or performance space.
Temporary public art examples include, but are
not limited to: forms of ephemeral media (sound,
video, projection mapping), performing arts,
educational programming, poetry readings, food
culture, and special events.
Arts can be incorporated
into many aspects of the
Culver City parks system,
and municipal performance
and arts facilities could be
established.
1 22 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
Figure 112. The Selznick Studios were a key fixture in early Culver City, approx. 1930s. Source: Selznick Studios, Culver City, Cal., photCL_555_06_1761, Ernest Marquez Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Figure 113. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios displayed typical art deco architecture, approx. 1940s. Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Culver City, California, photCL_555_06_1759, Ernest Marquez Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 12 3
APPP is Culver City’s percent for
art program, which requires a
contribution for:
RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENTS WITH
>5 UNITS
COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL,
OR CIVIC PROJECTS VALUED
$500,000+
REHABILITATION
PROJECTS VALUED
$250,000+
Options 2-5 applicable only
when 1% allocation is $75,000+
1. PAYING 1% OF THE
TOTAL BUILDING PERMIT
VALUATION INTO THE
CULTURAL TRUST
FUND
2. PLACING AN
APPROVED
ARTWORK
EQUAL TO AT LEAST 1%
OF THE TOTAL BUILDING
PERMIT VALUATION ON
THE SITE
3. INCORPORATING A
CULTURAL FACILITY
WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT
4. FULFILLING THE APPP
REQUIREMENT FOR
“ARCHITECTURE
AS ART”
5. DONATING
ARTWORK
EQUIVALENT TO AT
LEAST 1% OF THE TOTAL
BUILDING PERMIT
VALUATION TO THE CITY
Art in Public Places Program
Public art is strongly tied to a sense of identity in
the city. Culver City has more than 100 public
artworks within its Art in Public Places Program
(APPP).27 This program was established in 1988 to
enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors
through the urban landscape.28 Culver City’s Art in
Public Places Program serves as the city’s percent
for art program. Maintenance of the art is the
responsibility of the property owner and is outlined
in a covenant with the city.29
Public art pieces within PRCS parks and opportunity
sites include:
1. Homage t
o La Ballona Creek, Culver City Park,
Artist: Lucy Blake-Elahi (1994)
2. Tree o
f Life, Carlson Park, Artist: Dora De Larios
(1997)
3. Rivers of the World, Ballona Creek Bike Path,
Artist: Lori Escalera, Lucy Blake-Elahi, David
Farrington, and members of Ballona Creek
Renaissance (1997)
4. Postcards from Ballona, Ballona Creek Bike
Path, Artist: Francois Bardol, Lucy Blake-Elahi,
Lori Escalera, and Culver City Middle School
students (1997)
5. Cougars I and II, 6000 Sepulv
eda Blvd., Artist:
Gwynn Murrill (1991)
System-wide, there are additional sculptures and
public art pieces that are outside of Culver City’s
official APPP. There is an opportunity to overlay
parks in Culver City’s park system with an aspect
of art, whether through physical art pieces or
performative arts opportunities. Additionally, as
more artworks are incorporated into parks, there
could be a “cultural corridor” to connect parks to one
another through an art journey along bicycle and
walking paths. Parks that already have a proximity
to the bustling downtown area and arts district are
best suited to build off existing cultural connections
in Culver City, such as Veterans Memorial Park and
Syd Kronenthal Park.
To support the maintenance and operations of a
new and expanded outdoor parks art collection,
additional funding would be required beyond
the Cultural Affairs Commission’s current budget
capacity. The Culver City Arts Foundation could be
a resource for identifying funding opportunities.
Figure 114. The percent for art program requirements in Culver City are based on the size of the proposed development. 1 24 DRAFT THE PL
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Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission
Advises the City Council on matters related to arts and implements the city’s public art program.
Culver City Arts Foundation
All-volunteer organization created to cast a wider
net to obtain funding and connect with artists.
Art in Public Places Program
Program aimed at enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors through 1 00+ public artworks.
Arts Organizations and Support
Several organizations promote the arts in Culver
City. The Cultural Affairs Commission of Culver City
is a 5 member commission with 4-year terms and
a maximum number of 2 terms per commissioner.
All commissioners are residents of Culver City
who do not hold any other office or employment
by the city. The Cultural Affairs Commission advises
the City Council on matters related to arts in
Culver City and is also tasked with implementing
the city’s public art program.30
The Culver City Arts Foundation (Culver Arts) is an
all-volunteer organization that evolved out of the
Cultural Affairs Commission. Culver Arts has 11
board members serving 2-year terms, 4 officers,
and an advisory committee of 18-20 people.
Culver Arts often works with the Cultural Affairs
Commission as well as PRCS, and was created to
be able to cast a wider net into the city to obtain
funding and connect with more artists. Culver Arts
fundraising efforts have primarily been through
local corporate sponsors, and it continues to look
actively at grants and corporate as well as individual
funding opportunities.
Culver City appoints an artist laureate for a 2-year
position that is funded by the Cultural Affairs
Commission and Culver Arts, and recognizes the
important role individual artists play in contributing
to a vibrant, equitable and healthy community and
improving quality of life for residents of all ages.
The current 2023-25 artist laureate is Katy Krantz,
whose multi-disciplinary practice includes ceramics
and community based public art. 31 Other artists
can apply for this position in future years.
The Local Parks Grants Program through a state grant
called Arts in California Parks could be a funding
source to establish additional art installations and
programming in Culver City parks.32.
Arts Programming and Facilities
Some residents feel that demand for arts
programming within Culver City outpaces the
resources currently available. For example, El Marino
Park hosts a ceramics class which experiences
high demand and waitlists compared to the size
facility which is available. Currently there is no
municipal theater within the city. The Feasibility
Study for Veterans Memorial Park proposed a
cultural center that would include a 500-seat
theater. However, some of the feedback received
during the Feasibility Study for Veterans Memorial
Park and Culver City Park cited the decline in
usership of performance spaces in the city and
did not support the development of such facilities.
There are currently no dedicated outdoor
performance spaces in the parks system. In addition
to a possible municipal facility in Culver City, there
could be mid-size outdoor community spaces
and small outdoor stages and seating areas for
more informal performances. The lack of these
spaces and facilities was emphasized in feedback
received from the Culver City Arts Foundation, in a
letter received from chair Jim Clark on May 6, 2024.
Further, there is an opportunity to expand fee-based
arts programming to provide a revenue stream for
Culver City. This can be done in addition to current
programming where the theater and potentially art
studios and galleries can be provided on a fee basis.
Figure 115. Culver City arts organizations for the backbone of current arts programming for the city.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 12 5
designated performance area would not need to
be raised; instead, a small pavilion or plaza would
serve multiple functions.
Some facilities can offer opportunities for multiple
uses and can be used for performances in off-hours.
For example, the Stone House at Lindberg Park,
which is a daycare during the day but open in the
evenings for public use, could be an additional
performance space. The Feasibility Study for
Veterans Memorial Park completed by Johnson
Favaro Architects included a performance building
that included extensive indoor performance
spaces for the arts, and a new expanded location
for the Culver City historical archives.
Creation Spaces
In addition to physical and temporary art
installations and exhibits, arts programing and
maker spaces can be bolstered and added within
the parks system. These spaces include studio
spaces for ceramics, painting, drawing, textiles,
and photography. New art-focused spaces and
buildings are proposed for both Veterans Memorial
Park and El Marino Park. Movable furnishings and
supplies in a designated outdoor space can serve
as a bridge to a permanent, indoor facility, and
in some cases, may be the most practical and/or
appropriate solution for new spaces for creativity
and community arts programming.
Arts and culture programming in Culver City can
also include residencies for the incubation of youth
and community talent, along with other along with
other community programming and education
opportunities.
Wayfinding and Cultural Identity
Art in Culver City has the opportunity to create a
cohesive visual identity for the city.
Art gateways at entrances to the city could be
developed to mark the sense of place of Culver
City and signify important thresholds for the city.
For example, there are tree wraps along Washington
Blvd. in the Arts District that were installed decades
ago and speak to Culver City’s cinematic history
as the “heart of screenland.” These sculptures
could be refurbished and aligned with a
city-wide graphic and signage identity. Additionally,
there is an existing “Culver City” wood sign at
Sepulveda Blvd. and Centinela Ave. which is
maintained by PRCS but is not actually within the
city boundaries. It also can be hidden in its busy
intersection location by the freeway.
A unifying wayfinding system and graphic identity
would help people identify Culver City and build
awareness of its boundaries.
Arts Maintenance
Regular maintenance of public art is crucial to
additional art-focused projects in Culver City.
Additional staffing and funding within Public Works,
PRCS, and Cultural Affairs would be necessary to
support the addition and maintenance of further
public art to the parks system. The non-profit
Culver City Arts Foundation could be a resource
for identifying funding opportunities.
Recommendations
The recommendations below are informed by
community input and meetings with key partners,
such as the Culver City Arts Foundation and
Historical Society.
Performances in Parks
There are a lack of performance spaces throughout
the Culver City Parks system, ranging in size and
scale. In neighborhood parks and parkettes, small
raised performance spaces for students or outdoor
lectures would be valuable in addition to larger
buildings or stages that are possible in community
parks such as Veterans Memorial Park and Culver
City Park. Overall, park capacity and parking
availability are limiting factors in building larger
facilities in many Culver City parks. Additionally,
some neighborhoods, such as Carlson Park, are
especially sensitive to noise from performances
within the parks. Noise considerations will need
to be taken into consideration for the siting of
any outdoor gathering space. El Marino Park,
Tellefson Park, Culver West Alexander Park, and
Coombs Parkette are candidates for small raised
performance spaces. Both El Marino Park and
Coombs Parkette also benefit from proximity to
schools. For parks situated in noise-sensitive areas
or where most performances will be intimate, a
Figure 116. A Culver City Public Works employee services a fountain.
Source: PRCS, 2024.
1 26 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
Figure 117. Culver City’s City Hall is enlivened by public art pieces such as Ed Carpenter’s hanging garden glass screens (1995) and Nate Mohler’s mixed media interactive “fountain” (2019). Source: Andrea Binz, 2021.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 127
WATER
Existing System
When considering the existing conditions of water
management throughout Culver City, it is important
to identify potable water needs as well as overall
watershed health. The city’s water supply is provided
primarily by Golden State Water Company (GSWC)
and the city coordinates with GSWC on providing
water supply to serve park facility water demands.
In addition, water supply for Culver West Alexander
Park is provided partially by both GSWC and the Los
Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
Culver City is located within the Ballona Creek
watershed and the Marina Del Rey watershed. The
majority of Culver City, approximately 5.7 square
miles, is located within the urbanized Ballona
Creek watershed, which has a total drainage area
of approximately 130 square miles. The Ballona
Creek watershed is bounded by the Santa Monica
Mountains to the north, the Harbor Freeway on
the east, and Baldwin Hills on the south. Major
tributaries to Ballona Creek, a nine-mile-long flood
management channel, include Centinela Creek,
Sepulveda Canyon Channel, and the Benedict
Canyon Channel. The Culver West neighborhood,
a much smaller 42-acre portion of the city, is
located within the Marina Del Rey watershed, a
sub-watershed of the Santa Monica Bay watershed
and one of the smallest watersheds in Los Angeles
County at 2.9 square miles. The watershed primarily
drains to the Marina del Rey Harbor via the
municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4).
The Ballona Creek Enhanced Watershed
Management Program (EWMP) and the Marina
Del Rey EWMP associated with the aforementioned
watersheds, have each been adopted by the Los
Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board
(RWQCB) as compliance pathways for the 2021
Regional Los Angeles MS4 Permit (ORDER NO.
R4-2021-0105 NPDES PERMIT NO. CAS004004), of
which the city is a permittee. The city has already
achieved compliance targets for the Marina Del
Rey watershed.
Figure 118. Map of HUC 10 and HUC 8 watersheds in Los Angeles County. Culver City is located in the Ballona Creek and Garapito Creek-Frontal Santa Monica Bay sub-watersheds. Culver City is a member of the associated Enhanced Watershed Management Programs (EWMPs) for Ballona Creek and Marina Del Rey, which is a management area within the Garapito Creek-Frontal Santa Monica Bay sub-watershed. Source: USGS, National Hydrography Dataset, 2022.
MAP LEGEND
City Boundaries
Culver City
WATERSHEDS
HUC 8 Watersheds
HUC 1 0 Sub-Watersheds
1 28 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
0 N
3 6 miles
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 12 9
Figure 119. The channelized Ballona Creek runs throughout Culver City. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Per the MS4 Permit, redeveloping city parks
may require the implementation of Low Impact
Development (LID) Best Management Practices
(BMPs)33 if the redevelopment creates or replaces
5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface.
These redevelopment projects or “Priority
Development Projects” must implement structural
BMPs to retain the Storm Water Quality Design
Volume (SWQDV), which is defined as either the
runoff from the 0.75-inch, 24-hour rain event
or the runoff from the 85th percentile, 24-hour
rain event, whichever is greater. Proposed BMPs
must assess, in order of preference, the feasibility
of on-site infiltration, bioretention and/or rainfall
harvest and use; on-site biofiltration, off-site
groundwater replenishment and/or off-site retrofit;
or on-site treatment. The selection of BMPs during
redevelopment offers additional benefits beyond
water quality improvements, such as opportunities
to enhance resiliency through water supply benefits
and reductions in water use.
When considering the MS4 Permit and the redesign
of existing parks, incorporating site design measures
to disperse impervious areas, such as concrete
walkways, to pervious areas including decomposed
granite or vegetated areas, may be a cost effective
way to reduce the need for more structural and
costly stormwater capture BMPs. Other cost effective
options include bioretention systems, rain gardens,
above-ground cisterns and vegetated swales. Culver
City Public Works developed the SWQMP in 2021
which identified certain park facilities for larger,
regional stormwater capture BMPs. There are
opportunities to coordinate with Public Works on
the implementation of these regional stormwater
capture BMPs during redesign phases of the parks.
Options for implementing regional stormwater
capture BMPs, or on-site stormwater management
BMPs, are further explored in this chapter and in
Chapter 6.
1 30 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS) PRECEDENTS
Centralized facilities designed
to receive large volumes of
runoff such as basins and
underground vaults.
Distributed, small scale
systems such as bioretention
and biofiltration areas
along roadways.
Distributed, smaller scale
systems that infiltrate, harvest
and use, or treat runoff on
a parcel level. Examples
include infiltration BMPs such
as permeable pavement or
drywells, rainwater cisterns, and
rain gardens.
REGIONAL PROJECTS
GREEN STREET PROJECTS
LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Figure 120. The SMQMP proposed several significant regional projects that include underground storage similar to what is shown in this concept diagram. Source: Culver City Stormwater Quality Master Plan, City of Culver City, 2021, page 110.
Figure 121. Biofiltration along city streets are an opportunity to incorporate stormmwater improvements along transit corridors.
Source: Culver City Stormwater Quality Master Plan, City of Culver City, 2021, page 138.
Figure 122. A dry well BMP can be used where there is limited area on the surface for stormwater capture systems, and where deep infiltration is feasible. Source: Culver City Stormwater Quality Master Plan, City of Culver City, 2021, page 119.
CONCEPT DESIGN EXAMPLES
Culver City Stormwater Quality Master Plan
±
Source: City of Culver City
*Disclaimer: All elements of this conceptual design are planning-level, based on desktop analysis. All assumptions and parameters must be re-evaluated during the detailed design process. Cost estimates are based on available data. Actual costs will vary.
COST ESTIMATE
Priority Concept Project: Blanco Park
Infiltration Chambers Dry Well Shallow Reservoir Under Hardscape or Landscape & as Base
Replacement for Pavement Repair
TOTAL
ITEM UNIT COST UNIT QTY AMOUNT QTY AMOUNT QTY AMOUNT QTY AMOUNT QTY AMOUNT Diversion Structure 10-30 cfs 50,000$ LS 1 50,000 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 50,000$ Pre-Treatment 10-15 cfs 35,000$ LS 1 35,000 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 35,000$ Pump Structure (10 cfs) 1,500,000$ LS 1 1,500,000$ - $ - $ - $ - $ 1,500,000$ SD Pipe (24" RCP) 140$ LF 170 23,800$ - $ - $ - $ - $ 23,800$ Excavation Removal 50$ CY - $ 4,731 236,563$ 9,283 464,167$ 9,956 497,778$ 2,261 113,056$ 1,311,563$ SD Pipe (12" HDPE) 80$ LF - $ - $ 800 64,000$ 400 32,000$ - $ 96,000$ Permavoid 20$ SF - $ 43,760 875,200$ 94,200 1,883,993$ 126,910 2,538,197$ 40,700 814,000$ 6,111,390$ Infiltration Structure (0-5 acft) 10$ CF - $ 76,648 766,477$ 150,393 1,503,928$ 161,283 1,612,830$ - $ 3,883,234$ Restoration (park) 3$ SF - $ 48,400 145,200$ 106,470 319,410$ 142,680 428,040$ 950 2,850$ 895,500$ Restoration/Pave 10$ SF - $ - $ - $ - $ 142,680 1,426,800$ 1,426,800$ 1,608,800$ 2,023,439$ 4,235,497$ 5,108,844$ 2,356,706$ 15,333,286$ Mobilization (25%) 402,200$ 505,860$ 1,058,874$ 1,277,211$ 589,176$ 3,833,322$ Contingency (25%) 402,200$ 505,860$ 1,058,874$ 1,277,211$ 589,176$ 3,833,322$ Design (10%) 160,880$ 202,344$ 423,550$ 510,884$ 235,671$ 1,533,329$ 2,574,080$ 3,237,503$ 6,776,796$ 8,174,151$ 3,770,729$ 24,533,258$ 1,881,346$ 1,086,039$ 1,127,941$ 2,802,569$ 1,368,937$COST PER VOLUME TREATED ($/ACFT) DIVERSION BMP 1 BMP 2 BMP 3 BMP 4
TOTAL
CONSTRUCTION SUB TOTAL
Culver City Stormwater Quality Master Plan
Priority Concept Project: Culver City High School
B St
C St
Sophomore Dr
St James Dr
Ranch Rd
Cranks Rd
Drakewood Ave
Linda Way
Flaxton St
Stocker St
Youngworth Rd
CULVER CITY STORMWATER QUALITY MASTER PLAN
°
0 250125
Feet
11/5/2020 JN \\Irvica1fs1\hroot\pdata\172973\GIS\MXD\Projects\BMP MapBook\Biofiltration_MapBooks.mxd Source: City of Culver City
Legend
Biofiltration Sites
City Boundary
Project Map
Project Information
Storage Capcity (ac-ft): 0.03 Drainage Area (ac): 0.31 Cost Estimate: $18,790 EWMP Equivalient Volume (ac-ft): 0.02
Biofiltration Site: BF1
Location Map
Depth to Groundwater (ft): 128
*Note: Planning-level estimates based on desktop analysis.
Cost estimates are based on available information.
Biofiltration - Typical
Source: Enhanced Watershed Management Program for the Ballona Creek Watershed, January 2016 CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 131
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
Los Angeles County Parks
State Parks
Significant Ecological Areas
Countywide Multi-Use Trails
Water
TRANSIT
Bikeways
Roads
Freeways
Parking Lots
Building Footprints
Schools
Points of Interest+
Tellefson Park
1.5 acres
Veterans Memorial Park
1 6. 1 acres
Regional Stormwater
Capture Park
s
Six parks in the Culver City parks system have
been identified by Culver City Public Works in
the SWQMP as possible candidates to handle
regional stormwater capture on-site, in addition
to the stormwater runoff generated within the
park boundaries.34 The opportunities outlined in
the SWQMP are concept designs only, and are
subject to further site specific analysis as projects
are implemented. The stormwater improvements
at Syd Kronenthal Park have been identified as
the first priority project for Public Works, and the
process for obtaining proposals started in 2024.
The next top priority park projects for Public Works
includes Fox Hills Park and Lindberg Park.
The six parks identified for regional stormwater
capture include:
• Blanco Park
• Fox Hills Park (Public W
orks priority site,
planning phase)
• Lindberg Park (Public Work
s priority site,
planning phase)
• Syd Kronenthal Park (Public W
orks priority
site, in design phase)
• Telle
fson Park
• Vet
erans Memorial Park
On-Site Stormwater
Management Park
s
For park improvements that result in over 5,000
square feet of impervious area modifications, on-
site stormwater best management practices (BMPs)
are required. The following parks were not identified
as potential candidates for regional stormwater
capture by the SWQMP, and should take measures
to treat and capture stormwater runoff on-site.
The seven parks that should prioritize on-site
stormwater capture include:
• Blair Hills Park
• Culver City Park
• Carlson Park
• Culver W
est Alexander Park
• El Marino Park
• Coombs Park
ette
• Fox Hills Park
ette
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
Figure 123. Map of the 13 parks owned and operated by
Culver City. These parks are designated for either regional or on-site stormwater management based the SWQMP and
proposed level of redesign. Source: LA County GIS Data Portal, Countywide Parks and Open Space, Countywide Multi-Use Trails, LA County Bikeways, & Significant Ecological Area, 2022; Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LARIAC), 20 1 6.
Coombs Parkette
0.5 acres
Culver West Alexander Park
3. 1 acres
Carlson Park
2.5 acres
1 32 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
City Hall
Culver City Public Works
+
+
+
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Syd Kronenthal Park
6. 1 acres
Lindberg Park
4.2 acres
Blanco Park
3. 1 acres
Fox Hills Park
1 0.0 acres
Culver City Park
34. 1 acres
El Marino Park
1.6 acres
Fox Hills Parkette
0.8 acres
Blair Hills Park
1.8 acres
0 N
1/4 1/2 mile
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 13 3
Water Demand Considerations
and Non-Functional Turf
Requirements
In addition to stormwater management
requirements, there are statewide water efficiency
regulations that must be factored into park redesign.
The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
(MWELO), adopted by the state of California in
2015, is referenced by the CalGreen Building
Code and required to be implemented by local
agencies statewide. This ordinance provides a set
of minimum standards for landscape design, water
use, and installation to promote the protection
of California’s water resources through the use of
climate adapted and native plant material. Other
aspects of the ordinance include measures for
fire mitigation and the reduction of the urban
heat island effect. A project will be required to
comply with MWELO for new construction areas
equal to or greater than 500 square feet or for
rehabilitation of existing vegetation areas equal to
Non-Functional Turf
”Non-functional turf” is defined as
turf that is solely ornamental and
does not include turf areas regularly
used for recreational purposes such
as sports fields or areas used for civic
or community events.
Figure 124. Non-functional turf, such as the underutilized turf shown in Cougar Park, will be subject to requirements replacing it with low water use planting . Source: OLIN, 2024.
1 34 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
or greater than 2500 square feet. For compliance
with this ordinance, it is important to work with a
qualified irrigation consultant who can provide the
required calculations and determine a project’s
water budget compliance. Overall, each project’s
estimated total water use (ETWU) cannot exceed
its maximum applied water allowance (MAWA),
which is calculated based on the type of project,
the evapotranspiration rates of plants used, the
irrigation water source (recycled water or potable),
and typology of landscape use and design (pools,
urban agriculture, etc).35
In addition to MWELO, in June 2022 an emergency
regulation to ban decorative turf irrigation with
potable water (non-functional turf irrigation) in
commercial, industrial, and institutional areas took
effect across the state of California. “Non-functional
turf” is defined as turf that is solely ornamental
and does not include turf areas regularly used for
recreational purposes such as sports fields or areas
used for civic or community events. It is estimated
that over 50,000 acres of the estimated 218,000
acres in the service area of Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California is categorized as non-
functional turf, and removing this turf can result
in an additional 10% of water savings regionally.36
Culver City has begun an evaluation process to
review these areas within the parks systems and
consider other groundcover and planting options
that are low water use. This will result in a need
to change some areas of existing turf grass in
the coming years, which will generate a capital
improvements budget requirement and different
climate-adapted maintenance regimes than are
currently employed.
The conversion of these turf areas to low water use
planting will also help the parks system comply with
MWELO, by converting high water use turf areas to
low or very low water use plant groundcover species
and shrubs.37
Water Efficiency Opportunities
During the Parks Plan redesign process, parks were
designed to adhere to MWELO requirements to
incorporate California native plants and preserve
water resources. To help advise on additional water
savings strategies during the park redesign process,
a preliminary assessment of water use at each park
was conducted based on available data.
Parks that may have higher on average water use
include:
• Blanco Park
• Carlson Park
• Telle
fson Park
• Fox Hills Park
ette
Therefore, opportunities for removal of non-essential
turf and integration of water savings practices
may be most applicable at these parks. During
final engineering for all park redesigns, additional
opportunities for non-functional turf removal will be
identified to further reduce local water demands.
In addition to non-essential turf removal, PRCS
should consider implementing effective water
management strategies such as:
• Smart irrigation or weather-based
c
ontrollers to irrigate park areas at optimal
times to promote efficiency of water use.
• Coordinating with Golden Stat
e Water
Company to regularly track water demand
at parks (e.g. quarterly or annually), to
identify leaks and promote sustainable
water use.
• For new buildings with potable (e.g. hand
w
ashing) and non-potable (e.g. lavatory
flushing) water demands, consider
opportunities to implement greywater
or condensate water reuse systems for
efficient localized on-site reuse of water.
WATER EFFICIENCY
COMPLIANCE FOR
CULVER CITY PARKS
Figure 125. Many laws govern water efficiency and
planting, including the Non-Functional Turf Ban in
2022 and the MWELO in affect since 2015. Source:
California State Water Resources Control Board,
2024; Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.”
California Department of Water Resources, State
of California, 2024. https://water.ca.gov/Programs/
Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-
Efficiency/Model-Water-Efficient-Landscape-
Ordinance
Callifornia Assembly Bill 1572
Non-Functional Turf Ban
2022
Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)
2015
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 13 5
Overall, there are many sustainable water
features and effective stormwater management
opportunities to achieve compliance
requirements and Parks Plan goal of integrating
sustainability and climate resiliency into parks
management, design, and construction.
Stormwater Collaboration with
Culver City Public Works
There are opportunities for PRCS and Public
Works to collaborate together on projects and
maximize funding to achieve multiple city goals.
As specified in the city’s SWQMP, the availability of
open space within park areas, as well as potential
for multi-benefits at these facilities, make parks
ideal locations for stormwater quality projects.
To help fund stormwater projects across the Los
Angeles County region, the Los Angeles County
Safe Clean Water Program Parcel Tax (Measure
W) was passed in the November 2018 election. As
described further in Section III, Public Works and
PRCS may collaborate together to utilize these
funds, as well as other grant opportunities, to fund
stormwater capture projects in parks space.
Figure 126. Rain gardens are a cost-effective BMP strategy to capture on-site stormwater. Source: Jchannel/Shutterstock.com. 1 36 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SYS
TEm
SC
ALE
Figure 127. Map of the stormdrains in Culver City. This network of stormwater conveyance in Culver City can better perform with additional stormwater management projects. Source: City of Los Angeles, Storm Drains, 2022.
STORM DRAIN NETWORK
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
Culver City Parks
STORM DRAIN NETWORK
Storm Drains
During the park redesign phase, it was identified
that Lindberg Park, Fox Hills Park, Culver West
Alexander Park have multi-benefits between
PRCS and Public Works Departments and may
be progressed collaboratively through shared
funding pathways towards project implementation.
Additional details on these site-specific
recommendations can be found in Chapter 6.
For additional funding towards stormwater
capture project implementation at park facilities
and throughout the city, Culver City Public Works
and PRCS could consider implementation of
stormwater in-lieu fee or credit programs.
These programs would allow the development
community to financially support implementation
of large scale, regional stormwater capture
systems and long term operations and
maintenance. This approach would benefit both
city stormwater compliance and streamline
development processes where onsite, smaller
scale stormwater BMPs may be unnecessary in
certain areas of the city. See Section III - Funding
Opportunities for more detail on this approach.
0 N
3/4 1.5 miles
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 137
+ 6’
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
Culver City Parks
ELEVATION
High (1 25‘)
Low (6‘)
5’ Contour Interval
20’ Contour Interval
ECOLOGY AND RESILIENCE
Situated along the Ballona Creek and at the base
of Baldwin Hills, Culver City has a unique ecological
context. A range of upland to riparian ecological
conditions can be amplified through the city’s
park system. Currently, many parks have planted
non-native and/or invasive species that tend to use
more water and limit the biodiversity in the city.
There are opportunities to bolster the urban forest,
prioritize shade, introduce more native and water-
wise species, connect to regional ecosystems, and
implement strategies for wildfire resilience.
Existing System
Culver City was historically comprised of wet
meadow, alkali meadow, and willow thicket
ecosystems.38 These ecosystems thrived around
what was likely at that time the mainstem of the
LA River which flowed through Culver City roughly
along the current alignment of Ballona Creek.
During a series of three high precipitation years
beginning in 1825, the river altered course, sending
it south-east, closer to its current location, and
leaving behind the lower flowing Ballona Creek
and a series of marsh ecosystems. 39 Subsequent
channelization of Ballona Creek alongside decades
of increased development altered the ecosystems
in Culver City to what we see today.40
Culver City is also home to vegetation communities
such as California sagebrush, California buckwheat,
coast live oak, chaparral, and annual grasslands.49
Soils in Culver City are alluvial consisting largely
of loam with some areas of clay and patches of
sandy soils.42 Average precipitation in Culver City
currently ranges from 10-17 inches per year43 and
will be more irregular in the future, emphasizing
the need for efficient park water utilization.
Figure 128. Topographical map of Culver City. There is approximately 120 feet of elevation change within Culver City.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, 2013, USGS NED 1 arc-second 2013. 1 38 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SYS
TEm
SC
ALE
+ 1 25’
+ 25’
+ 20’
0 N
1/4 1/2 mile
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 13 9
Urban Forestry and Tree Canopy
A dense, mature, and thriving tree canopy is crucial
to the success of the Culver City parks system and
city as a whole. Not only does a healthy urban forest
create a pleasant park setting for communities, but
it also helps reduce higher temperature from the
urban heat island effect, reduce energy costs, and
foster biodiversity within an urban environment.
The Culver City 2015 Urban Forestry Master
Plan documented the city’s urban tree canopy
at approximately 15,000 individual trees of 215
species.44 The top three tree species, accounting
for more than a third of Culver City’s urban tree
canopy, were Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm),
Ficus microcarpa ‘nitida’ (Indian Laurel Fig) and
Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm).45
Looking ahead, the draft General Plan 2045 specifies
the proliferation of an urban forest in Culver City
as a goal of the parks and open space across the
City to increase its carbon sequestration and lower
severity of heat island impacts among other health
benefits.46
Within an urban forest, shade connectivity is
important for both human and habitat health. A
study in the urban island effect conducted by the
EPA found that during the hottest summer months,
depending on tree species, about 10 to 30% of
the sun’s energy reaches the area below a tree.
This leads to cooler temperatures beneath trees
that allow for greater comfort for park users and
Figure 129. The tree canopy at Carlson Park offers a diverse mix of mature and healthy canopy tree species. Source: OLIN, 2024. allow for a greater diversity for habitat formation
in a shady microclimate. 47 Connected corridors
of shade, rather than isolated pockets of shade,
also create the most benefit. The LA Countywide
Sustainability Plan notes that LA County has an
average tree canopy coverage of 20%, and sets
a goal of increasing the baseline tree canopy by
20% by 2045. It also emphasizes the need for this
additional coverage to be distributed equitably
throughout the county. 48 Based on a recent
aerial analysis of tree canopy, tree canopy cover
is uneven within Culver City and ranges between
12 to 35% depending on the neighborhood. The
neighborhoods of Culver that have the lowest tree
canopy coverage (under 20%) includes:
• Lucerne/Higuer
a neighborhood of the
Hayden Tract (12.3%)
• Clarkdale neighborhood (13.8%)
• Culver W
est neighborhood (17.4%)
• Washingt
on Culver neighborhood (17.7%)
• Blair Hills neighborhood (17.8%)
• Jef
ferson neighborhood (18%)
• McManus neighborhood (18.5%)
• Blanco neighborhood (18.8%)
A few neighborhoods are right on the cusp of 20%
tree canopy coverage, such as Fox Hills (20.1%). 49
Culver City parks can play an important role in
increasing canopy coverage.
1 40 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
TREE CANOPY
Trees have the capacity to reduce solar
energy reaching the ground by 70-90% in
the hottest sumer months. This reduction in
solar radiation cools the urban environment
and surrounding buildings.
CONTINUOUS SHADE CANOPY AND
THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
70-90%
ENERGY
REDUCTION
Figure 130. A healthy urban forest creates beneficial shade underneath the tree canopy. Source: Climate Protection Partnership Division. Edited by Eva Wong, Kathleen Hogan, Julie Rosenburg, and Andrea Denny, Chapter 2: Trees and Vegetation.
Reducing Urban Heat Islands: Compendium of Strategies. Urban Heat Island Basics, Pages 2-3. 2008.
Figure 131. Map of tree canopy cover <20% by census
block group within the city boundary. The neighborhoods highlighted in yellow could benefit from additional urban forest canopy cover. Source: Tree Canopy - Block Group, Tree People, Center for Urban Resilience (CURes) at Loyola Marymount University, 2020. Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office, Our County Sustainability Plan. Page 60. 20 1 9.
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
Culver City Parks
TREE CANOPY COVER
>50%
0%
No Data
Areas within Culver City with <20%
tree canopy cover
0 N
3/4 1.5 miles
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 141
For the optimal functioning of an urban forest, it is
important to have young, mature, and senescent
trees. Currently, Culver City’s urban forest is lacking in young trees as most of the canopy trees were
planted between the 1940s-60s. 50 To achieve a
more resilient urban forest, the Urban Forest Master
Plan recommends that Culver City increase the
amount of young trees by a minimum of 20%. 51
This will help achieve chronodiversity among the
tree canopy, which is defined as the condition
of temporal richness in a particular habitat or
ecosystem and the existence of species of various
life strategies and life spans and specimens of
various ages.52
Monocultures of tree species should be avoided
to promote resilience in the urban forest
and alternative species can be considered as
opportunities to plant or replant trees arise. This is
also critical for urban forest resilience when disease
or pests target a specific species. Tree planting
that will add to Culver City’s existing urban forest
can be phased in and planted alongside mature
specimens so that a growth will already be in place
as older trees reach the end of their lifespans.
Appropriate tree protection techniques should
be used to protect existing mature tree specimens
during new planting and construction.
While some native species, such as Quercus agrifolia
(coast live oak) and Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon)
are found in Culver City parks, they are primarily
concentrated in Culver City Park. Other parks could
add these species, along with other native canopy
species such as Platanus racemosa (western
sycamore), Juglans californica (California walnut),
and Quercus lobata (valley oak). Additional climate
adapted canopy tree species can be considered to
provide shade and drought tolerance, along with
encouraging more tree biodiversity in parks.53
Both upland species and riparian species can be
selected based on the existing and constructed
contexts of a project. Generally, the upland species
perform better on slopes in fast draining soils, while
riparian species require more access to water and
can tolerate periodic inundation. Given these
characteristics, many riparian species perform well
under future climate trends of intense periods
of both drought and severe floods in Southern
California. Climate adapted tree species are
great options for streetscape and intense urban
conditions that are often exposed to more heat,
pollution, and compacted soils than are suitable
for native species.
Figure 132. Chronodiversity contributes to a resilient urban forest. Source: Farmer, Jared. “Ancient Trees in a Modern World.” Sempervirens Fund, April 4, 2023. https://sempervirens.org/news/ ancient-trees-in-a-modern-world/.
Figure 133. (Right) Quercus agrifolia. Source: Stickpen, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9944130.
Figure 134. (Right) Juglans californica. Source: Consultaplantas, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44978241.
Figure 135. (Right) Quercus tomentella. Source: Bri Weldon, Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, Claremont, California, 2011. https://www. flickr.com/photos/41184028@N04/5169050090/.
Figure 136. (Right) Platanus racemosa. Source: Raffi Kojian, http://www.gardenology.org, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=9705655.
Figure 137. (Right) Populus fremontii. Source: CK Kelly, https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/10765354.
Figure 138. (Right) Alnus rhombifolia. Source: Mitch Barrie, Costa Mesa, CA, 2010. CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Alnus_rhombifolia_San_Gabriel_River.jpg.
Figure 139. (Right) Metrosideros excelsa. Source: weta2000nz, Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/weta2000nz/45696079285.
Figure 140. (Right) Brachychiton populneus. Source: Leonora (Ellie) Enking, Flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/33037982@N04/5242446150.
Figure 141. (Right) Tipuana tipu. Source: Daniel Ventura, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2246165.
CULVER CITY
CAN INCREASE
ITS AMOUNT OF
YOUNG TREES BY
20%
What is Chronodiversity in the Urban Forest?
Chronodiverity in the urban forest
means having an even distribution
of trees of all ages and of varying
lifespans.
1 42 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
CULVER CITY TREE CANOPY RECOMMENDATIONS
Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak)
Platanus racemosa (western sycamore)
Metrosideros excelsa (New Zealand Christmas
tree)
Juglans californica (California walnut)
Populus fremontii (Fremont cottonwood)
Brachychiton populneus (bottle tree)
Quercus tomentella (island oak)
Alnus rhombifolia (white alder)
Tipuana tipu (tipu tree)
Upland Native Tree Species
Riparian Native Tree Species
Climate Adapted Tree Species
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 14 3
Sepulveda Blvd. south of Ballona Creek
This boulevard directly connects southern Culver City
neighborhoods of Sunkist Park and Fox Hills to Ballona Creek.
Jefferson Blvd. north of
Raintree Circle
This boulevard runs parallel to the
Ballona Creek and connects to the
Hayden Tract.
Washington Blvd.
This boulevard runs along the northern edge of Culver City, from the McManus neighborhood through to Culver West.
Regional Ecological Connectivity
and Biodiversity
While the historic plant communities that
ranged from riparian wetlands to coastal sage
scrub are limited in the current-day urban context,
planting strategies can highlight these native
communities and create an ecological identity for
different areas of Culver City. Additionally, current-
day habitat hotspots are observed in Culver City
Park and the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook.54
Habitat creation can be implemented in continuous
corridors to allow for wildlife migration and
movement and in patches to create pockets of
natural refuge in Culver City’s urban environment.
This system of corridors and patches work together
to create ecosystem connectivity with and beyond
the reach of Culver City parks. The planting of
native plant communities and species can help
build an identity for various neighborhoods of
Culver City, and, along with education signage
and environmental graphics, they can help build
awareness of the city’s ecological context and
encourage community stewardship.
Native riparian and chaparral species could
be planted in constructed ecosystems whose
conditions match the environments where these
species thrive. The Ballona Creek is an opportunity
area that could be planted with more riparian
species to create a continuous habitat corridor for
bird species from Baldwin Hills to the estuary at
Marina del Rey.55 There is also a need to augment
the current fragmented, isolated swathes of coastal
scrub and chaparral vegetation that occur in
sections of the Inglewood Oil Field (IOF) and the
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.56 Within the
IOF, remediation strategies to support native habitat
should be considered.
Figure 142. Map of urban forest priority street corridors identified in Culver City’s Urban Forestry Master Plan. Source: Tree Canopy - Block Group, Tree People, Center for Urban Resilience (CURes) at Loyola Marymount University, 2020. City of Culver City, Culver City Urban Forestry Master Plan,
URBAN FOREST CORRIDORS
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
Culver City Parks
TREE CANOPY COVER
Areas within Culver City with
<20% tree canopy cover
Urban forest priority street
corridors
0 N
1/2 1 mile
14 4 DRAFT THE PL AN // SYS TEm SC ALE
CULVER CITY PLANT COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Artemisia californica (California sagebrush)
Baccharis pilularis (coyote bush)
Eriogonum fasciculatum (California buckwheat)
Ceanothus leucodermis (chaparral whitethorn)
Salvia mellifera (black sage)
Mimulus aurantiacus (bush monkey flower)
Coastal Sage Scrub
Chaparral
Coastal sage scrub typically occurs on slopes and cliffs in coastal areas, and many species in this community can tolerate salt. While this plant community does not include many trees when found in natural open space areas, it can be planted with some canopy species or transition to a woodland plant community.
Chaparral is an upland community that is found on all slope aspects that can tolerate dry conditions. This plant community prefers soils that are nutrient poor and fast-draining. While this plant community does not include many trees when found in natural open space areas, it can be planted with some canopy species or transition to a woodland plant community.
Figure 143. Artemisia californica. Source: Antandrus at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, https:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ArtemisiaCalifornica-GaviotaCA.jpg.
Figure 144. Eriogonum fasciculatum. Source: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Eriogonum_fasciculatum_10.jpg.
Figure 145. Salvia mellifera. Source: Consultaplantas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/File:Salvia_mellifera_1a.jpg.
Figure 146. Arcostaphylos glandulosa. Source: Tortie tude, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Arctostaphylos_glandulosa_crassifolia.jpg.
Figure 147. Ceanothus leucodermis. Source: Pl@ntNet, lovemy3cs, 2024. https://identify.plantnet.org/es/k-world-flora/species/ Ceanothus%20leucodermis%20Greene/data.
Figure 148. Mimulus aurantiacus. Source: oliveoligarchy, California, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mimulus_aurantiacus_(sticky_monkeyflower)_(7184197630).jpg.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 14 5
Many of the species selected for understory
planting in Culver City have remained
unchanged since the parks were first
constructed. As opportunities for understory
and shrub replacement become available
through turf replacement and routine
maintenance, native and climate adaptive
species can be prioritized for climate resilience
and biodiversity. Creating thriving habitats
requires a diverse vertical planting structure
from tree canopy through mid-layer shrubs
and understory species. The arrangement of
plants in the plan should aim to mimic natural
plant communities in terms of species type,
quantity, and association to other species in the
community. This helps to ensure compatibility
and mutual support among the installed plant
species. Invasive plant species defined by the
California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC)
should be removed when possible and not
planted in new projects.
Establishing and maintaining robust regional
ecological connections will require continued
collaborations with interested partners and
related departments, such as Culver City Public
Works, LA County Department of Parks and
Recreation, and the Baldwin Hills Conservancy.
Wildland Urban Interface and
Fire Risk
While Culver City generally exists within a densely urban context, a few neighborhoods, such as Blair Hills and
Blanco/Culver Crest are directly adjacent to hillside
open space and parks such as Culver City Park, Baldwin
Hills, and Kenneth Hahn State Park. 57,58 These densely vegetated areas are prone to fire risk, but also provide invaluable habitat that should be preserved. While
these areas contain the highest amount of California
native species in Culver City, many of native species
also coexist with non-native invasive species that pose fire risk, such as eucalyptus tree species (Eucalyptus
spp.), tall pampas grass (Cortaderia spp.), and black
mustard (Rhamphospermum nigrum).
California native plant communities, especially
chaparral and coastal sage scrub, are adapted to
and thrive on occasional fires. However, with climate
change and human activity, the increased frequency
and intensity of wildfires are threatening native plants and habitats. 59 A fire risk management strategy can
be implemented without comprising native habitat
integrity as outlined in the goal to integrate sustainability and climate resiliency into parks management,
design, and construction. General strategies include
reducing fuel load in the landscape, following planting recommendations from Cal Fire, removing fire-prone
invasive species, and limiting fire-prone activities (such as BBQs) at the height of the dry season.
REDUCE FUEL
LOADS
BY PRUNING AND CLEARING DEBRIS
OR DEAD PLANT MATERIAL
REDUCE AND REMOVE
INVASIVE
CANOPY &
UNDERSTORY
SPECIES
WHICH CAN INCREASE
FIRE RISK
LIMIT
RECREATIONAL
ACTIVITIES
LIKE BONFIRES & BARBECUE PITS DURING
THE HEIGHT OF FIRE SEASON WITHIN
HIGH-RISK AREAS
FOLLOW CAL FIRE
FIRE-SMART
LANDSCAPING
PRACTICES FOR PLANT SPACING
CREATE
WILDFIRE
BREAKS
IN LARGER CONTIGUOUS
VEGETATED AREAS
Figure 149. A variety of landscape management can help reduce the risk of wildfire in high-risk areas. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 46 DRAFT THE PL
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CULVER CITY PLANT COMMUNITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Heteromeles arbutifolia (toyon)
Baccharis salicifolia (mulefat)
Rhus ovata (sugar bush)
Elymus condensatus (giant wild rye)
Muhlenbergia rigens (deergrass)
Artemisia douglasiana (mugwort)
Coast Live Oak Woodland
Southern Sycamore Riparian Woodland
Coast live oak woodland is commonly found on slopes with fast draining soils, and can generally tolerate dry conditions. This plant community is defined by its presence of coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) typical to native Southern California landscapes.
The southern sycamore riparian woodland community is found along riparian corridors where soils are typically saturated, with alluvial and rocky soils. This plant community is defined by its presence of the western sycamore (Platanus racemosa) trees and seasonal high-intensity flooding.
Figure 150. Heteromeles arbutifolia. Source: Miguel Vieira, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19525268.
Figure 151. Rhus ovata. Source: Bri Weldon, https://www.flickr.com/photos/briweldon/5228764249.
Figure 152. Muhlenbergia rigens. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=54450777.
Figure 153. Elymus condensatus. Source: Matt Levin, 2007. https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/3862001631.
Figure 154. Artemisia douglasiana. Source: Römert, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19802958.
Figure 155. Baccharis salicifolia. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baccharis_salicifolia_kz8.jpg.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 147
Figure 156. Trees provide much-needed shade for resting and picnicking, like in Culver West Alexander Park . Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 48 DRAFT THE PL
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Culver City’s 13 parks provide an extraordinary
range of programming for an 85.4-acre system.
With activities ranging from preschools, after
school programs, ceramics, field sports, court sports,
racket sports, playgrounds, swimming, picnicking,
ropes course activities, skateboarding, pooch paths,
the BoneYard dog park, exercise equipment, and
passive activities such as walking, the number
of elements is significant. Most of the parks have
restrooms, water fountains, bicycle parking, and
benches. Many parks also have parking for personal
vehicles and recreation buildings. The condition
of many facilities is fairly good as compared to
other park facilities in the Southern California
Region, however, residents note there are needs for
upgrades. Notable nicer areas include features such
as recently completed playgrounds, recent field
upgrades, the Plunge pool, and popular community
tennis courts. Many elements in need of upgrades
are still beloved by community members despite
their conditions.
SITE SCALE6|
Within Culver City, there are two large community
parks, defined as parks greater than 15 acres in
size. These two parks, Culver City Park and Veterans
Memorial Park, total approximately 50 acres. The
remaining parks primarily occur in residential
neighborhoods and have a high amount of local use
from residents living within a half-mile of the parks.
Neighborhood parks, defined as parks from one to
15 acres in size, in the northeast portion of Culver
City include Blair Hills Park and Syd Kronenthal
Park. The highest concentration of neighborhood
parks is in the central and southern areas of the
City—Blanco Park, Carlson Park, El Marino Park,
Fox Hills Park , Lindberg Park, and Tellefson Park.
Culver West Alexander Park serves the community
in the westernmost portion of the city. Mini parks/
parkettes, defined as parks less than one acre in
size, are typically used by residents who live directly adjacent to these parcels and include Coombs
Parkette and Fox Hills Parkette.60
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 14 9
In addition to the Culver City parks, other resources
expand the parks and services available to
residents. The draft General Plan 2045 describes
this breakdown as follows:
• Stone
view Nature Center, a five-acre facility
owned and operated by Los Angeles County
within Culver City, is designated as a Special
Use Area.
• City-ow
ned public plazas include Heritage
Park and Town Plaza.
• Parks o
wned by other agencies include
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park,
owned and operated by the State of
California’s Baldwin Hills Conservancy, and
Media Park, an event space on the border
of the city limit for which Culver City has a
long-term lease with the City of Los Angeles.
• Privat
ely-owned public open spaces
(POPOs) include the Platform, the Culver
Steps, and Ivy Station.
• Finally, the City has a joint use agreement
with the Culver City Unified School District
(
CCUSD) and rents space to West Los
Angeles College.61
Many of the park facilities have a division of space
prioritization that is specific to the era of their
development. For example, many of the parks
developed in the mid-20th century have an
emphasis on field sports, tennis, and community
centers with less emphasis on elements such as
walking or hiking trails, ecology, and more recently
popular sports such as pickleball. Many of the parks
also lack ADA-accessible routes and inclusive design
elements. Many site furnishing elements and
irrigation systems are dated and could be updated
with more sustainable and resilient fixtures.
Figure 157. Culver City owns and operates 13 parks. Acreage and park classification are displayed for each facility. Note: The General Plan 2045 defines Tellefson Park as a parkette/mini park, however due to its size and existing amenities, the Parks Plan classifies Tellefson Park as a neighborhood park. Source: City of Culver CIty, 2009, 2019, 2023.
Figure 158. Tennis at a Culver City park. Source: PRCS. 2024.
Park Facility Classifications
FACILITY ACRES PARK CLASSIFICATION
Culver City Park 34.1 Community Park
Veterans Memorial Park 16.1 Community Park
Blair Hills Park 1.8 Neighborhood Park
Blanco Park 3.1 Neighborhood Park
Carlson Park 2.5 Neighborhood Park
Culver West Alexander Park 3.1 Neighborhood Park
El Marino Park 1.6 Neighborhood Park
Fox Hills Park 10.0 Neighborhood Park
Lindberg Park 4.2 Neighborhood Park
Syd Kronenthal Park 6.1 Neighborhood Park
Tellefson Park 1.5 Neighborhood Park
Coombs Parkette 0.5 Parkette/Mini Park
Fox Hills Parkette 0.8 Parkette/Mini Park
Total Acres 85.4
1 50 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
Figure 159. A picnic at a Culver City park. Source: PRCS. 2024.
Figure 160. Existing vs. proposed amenities in the Culver City parks system seek to balance current needs of park users. Source: LA Parks Portal, Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, inventory update December 27, 2023, www.laparksportal.org, updates received July 10, 2024.
Existing and Proposed Amenity Counts
AMENITY EXISTING PROPOSED
Basketball Courts 10 10
Community/Recreation Centers 6 7
Dog Parks 1 2
Fitness Zones 22 22
Freestanding Restrooms 8 8
Gymnasia 1 1
Handball Courts 7 7
Multipurpose Fields 8 9
Picnic Shelters 8 8
Playgrounds 20 21
Pools 1 3
Sand Volleyball Courts 1 3
Skate Parks 1 1
Softball/Baseball Fields 14 10
Racket Sports Courts 19 40
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 151
Culver City Park
Veterans Memorial Park
Blair Hills Park
Blanco Park
Carlson Park
Culver West Alexander Park
El Marino Park
Fox Hills Park
Lindberg Park
Syd Kronenthal Park
Tellefson Park
Coombs Parkette
Fox Hills Parkette
Total
Baseball Fields
Diamond Fields
Multipurpose Fields
Small Grass Rec. Fields
Basketball Courts
Handball Courts
Paddle Tennis Courts
Tennis Courts
Sand Volleyball Courts
Pooch Path
Dog Park
Fitness Zones
Walking/Jogging Path
Barbecues
Hydration Station
Kitchen
Lighting
Picnic Areas
Picnic Shelters
Community Centers
Freestanding Restrooms
Playgrounds
Pool
Skate Park
Parking Lot
Regional Connections
- - - 1 - - - - 1 1 - 1 Y - - Y 4 1 - 2 - 1 5 2
2 - 1 - 2 1 3 2 - 1 - 2 1 Y - 1 Y 2 1 1 1 2 1 - 2 -
- 1 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - Y - - - 1 1 - 1 2 - - - -
- 2 1 - - - - - - - - 1 1 Y - - - 1 1 1 - - - - - -
- - - 1 - - - - - - - - 1 Y 1 - - 2 1 - 1 - - - - -
- - 1 - 1 3 2 1 - 1 - - 1 Y - 1 Y 1 - 1 1 3 - - 1 -
- - 1 - 1 2 - - - - - - - Y - 1 Y 1 - 2 1 2 - - - -
- 1 1 - 2 - 4 1 - - 1 Y - - Y 3 1 - 1 2 - - - -
1 - - 1 2 - 1 - - - 2 - Y 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 2 - - 1 -
- 2 1 - 1 - 2 1 - - - 7 1 Y 1 - Y 5 2 1 - 2 - - 2 2
- - 1 - - - - - - - - - - Y 1 - - 3 1 - 1 2 - - - -
- - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
7 6 10 3 10 8 11 8 1 2 1 24 7 - 6 4 - 24 10 7 10 19 1 1 11 4 2 2
1 1
2 1
LEGEND
SYMBOL
# -
Count N/A
Y
Yes/Present
CONDITION
Good
Fair
Poor
Existing Conditions Inventory
1 52 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
Baseball Fields
Diamond Fields
Multipurpose Fields
Small Grass Rec. Fields
Basketball Courts
Handball Courts
Paddle Tennis Courts
Tennis Courts
Sand Volleyball Courts
Pooch Path
Dog Park
Fitness Zones
Walking/Jogging Path
Barbecues
Hydration Station
Kitchen
Lighting
Picnic Areas
Picnic Shelters
Community Centers
Freestanding Restrooms
Playgrounds
Pool
Skate Park
Parking Lot
Regional Connections
- - - 1 - - - - 1 1 - 1 Y - - Y 4 1 - 2 - 1 5 2
2 - 1 - 2 1 3 2 - 1 - 2 1 Y - 1 Y 2 1 1 1 2 1 - 2 -
- 1 1 - 1 - - - - - - - - Y - - - 1 1 - 1 2 - - - -
- 2 1 - - - - - - - - 1 1 Y - - - 1 1 1 - - - - - -
- - - 1 - - - - - - - - 1 Y 1 - - 2 1 - 1 - - - - -
- - 1 - 1 3 2 1 - 1 - - 1 Y - 1 Y 1 - 1 1 3 - - 1 -
- - 1 - 1 2 - - - - - - - Y - 1 Y 1 - 2 1 2 - - - -
- 1 1 - 2 - 4 1 - - 1 Y - - Y 3 1 - 1 2 - - - -
1 - - 1 2 - 1 - - - 2 - Y 1 1 - 1 1 1 1 2 - - 1 -
- 2 1 - 1 - 2 1 - - - 7 1 Y 1 - Y 5 2 1 - 2 - - 2 2
- - 1 - - - - - - - - - - Y 1 - - 3 1 - 1 2 - - - -
- - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - -
7 6 10 3 10 8 11 8 1 2 1 24 7 - 6 4 - 24 10 7 10 19 1 1 11 4 8 4
1 1
Figure 161. Existing amenities in the Culver City parks system are rated yearly by PRCS. Source: LA Parks Portal, Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District, inventory update December 27, 2023, www.laparksportal.org, updates received July 10, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 15 3
Culver City Park
Freestanding
Restroom
Culver City Park
Picnic Pavilion
Blair Hills Park
Freestanding
Restroom
Blanco Park
Day Care
Blanco Park
Picnic Pavilion
Carlson Park
Picnic Pavilion
Carlson Park
Freestanding
Restroom
Culver West
Alexander Park
Recreation Building
El Marino Park
Ceramics Hut
Lindberg Park
Day Care
El Marino Park
Recreation Building
Lindberg Park
Freestanding
Restroom
Fox Hills Park
Freestanding
Restroom
Tellefson Park
Freestanding
Restroom
Culver City Park
Skate Park
Culver City Park
Freestanding
Restroom
Veterans
Memorial Park
Locker and Dressing
Rooms
Veterans
Memorial Park
Picnic Pavilion
Veterans
Memorial Park
Recreation Hut
/ Freestanding
Restroom
Veterans
Memorial Park
The Plunge Pool
Veterans
Memorial Park
Gymnasia
Veterans
Memorial Park
Veterans Memorial
Complex and
Historical Society
Veterans
Memorial Park
Teen Center
Blair Hills Park
Picnic Pavilion
Tellefson Park
Picnic Pavilion
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Picnic Pavilion
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Recreation Building,
Preschool, Restroom
Culver City Park
Playground
Veterans
Memorial Park
Playground (3)
Blair Hills Park
Playground (2)
Culver West
Alexander Park
Playground (3)
Lindberg Park
Playground (2)
El Marino Park
Playground (2)
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Playground (3)
Fox Hills Park
Playground (2)
Tellefson Park
Playground (2)
Existing Facility and Playground Index
Figure 162. Existing amenities in the Culver City parks system vary from interior facilities to sports courts to playgrounds. Source: OLIN. 2024, Google Streetview, 2024.
1 54 DRAFT THE PL
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Culver City Park
Baseball Field (4)
Culver City Park
Basketball Court
Blanco Park
Multipurpose Field
Culver West
Alexander Park
Multipurpose Field
Culver West
Alexander Park
Basketball Court
Culver West
Alexander Park
Handball Wall (3)
Culver West
Alexander Park
Paddle Tennis
Court (2)
Culver West
Alexander Park
Tennis Court
El Marino Park
Basketball Court
Fox Hills Park
Multipurpose Field
El Marino Park
Handball Wall
Fox Hills Park
Basketball Court
Fox Hills Park
Diamond Field
Fox Hills Park
Paddle Tennis
Court (4)
Veterans
Memorial Park
Baseball Field (2)
Veterans
Memorial Park
Multipurpose Field
Veterans
Memorial Park
Basketball Court (2)
Veterans
Memorial Park
Handball Wall
Veterans
Memorial Park
Paddle Tennis
Court (3)
Blair Hills Park
Multipurpose Field
Veterans
Memorial Park
Tennis Court (2)
Blair Hills Park
Basketball Court
Blair Hills Park
Diamond Field
Blanco Park
Diamond Field (2,
Joint Use)
Fox Hills Park
Tennis Court (3)
Fox Hills Park
Sand Volleyball
Court
Lindberg Park
Baseball Field
Lindberg Park
Multipurpose Field
Lindberg Park
Basketball Court
Lindberg Park
Handball Wall (2)
Lindberg Park
Tennis Court
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Paddle Tennis
Court (2)
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Multipurpose Field
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Tennis Court
Syd Kronenthal
Park
Basketball Court
Tellefson Park
Multipurpose Field
Existing Sports Court and Field Index
Figure 163. Existing amenities in the Culver City parks system ary from interior facilities to sports courts to playgrounds. Source: OLIN. 2024, Google Streetview, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 15 5
Stormwater Management and
Water Use Efficiency Opportunities
In addition to facility needs, Culver City park space
provides multi-benefit opportunities for enhanced
stormwater management. Effective stormwater
management is necessary for compliance with
local, state, and federal stormwater regulations and
can lead to enhanced water quality in streams and
beaches. Additional stormwater capture benefits
include increasing local water supply reliability and
reduced flooding for a more climate resilient future.
Parks and other open space areas throughout the
city can provide opportunities to route stormwater
for infiltration or capture and use for irrigation.
After discussion with staff, there are limited existing stormwater capture systems in Culver City park
facilities. However, as specified in the city’s 2021
Stormwater Quality Master Plan (SWQMP), there
are many opportunities to route stormwater flows
to park areas which can also provide funding for
park enhancements as part of joint development
proposals between water management and park
improvements. In addition, redevelopment of
park areas may trigger the need to incorporate
stormwater features as part of local stormwater
regulations.
Consistent with criteria within the LA County LID
Standards Manual, seven parks in the Culver City
Parks System have been identified as requiring
on-site stormwater management through
implementation of Low Impact Development
(LID) Best Management Practices (BMPs) based
on the level of redesign shown in the potential
draft plans (Culver City Park, Veterans Memorial
Park, Lindberg Park, Fox Hills Park, and El Marino
Park). A few of these parks have been identified as
candidate sites for regional stormwater capture
systems, and have been identified below as a
“regional stormwater capture site” consistent
with the city’s SWQMP. For parks not identified as
opportunity areas for regional stormwater capture,
where on-site stormwater management may still
be required as part of redesign, these are labeled
below as “on-site stormwater management” where
on-site LID BMPs may be required. Through this
analysis, Culver West Alexander Park was also
identified as a potential location for regional
stormwater capture, which is specified below and
will be further explored with Public Works.
The other parks and their associated level of redesign
are not anticipated to require implementation of
LID BMPs. However, these parks will still incorporate
stormwater management to effectively drain the
site to prevent standing water on-site and route
impervious areas to vegetated areas wherever
feasible. For all parks, LID BMPs should be revisited
during final engineering and incorporated where
required.
In addition to stormwater management
opportunities, improvements to parks to
increase water use efficiency were also identified.
Improvements include removal of non-essential turf
and closer tracking of water use as well as potential
implementation of water smart features.
The following pages explore each existing park in
detail and proposed improvements for each park
in this Parks Plan.
1 56 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
Figure 164. Bioswales, such as the one in this Culver City neighborhood, help manage and clean stormwater. Source: Andrea Binz, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 157
CULVER CITY PARKS
On the following pages, each park is summarized.
This includes a drawing of the park as it is today,
highlighting existing features, amenities and various
needs identified throughout the planning process.
Following the existing conditions is a proposed
drawing of the park highlighting areas for proposed
improvements and new amenities accompanying
an itemized list keyed into the drawing.
Figure 165. Inclusive playgrounds aim to welcome, support, and engage every person who comes to use the space reguardless of ability. The Parks Plan aims to add or upgrade three inclusive playgrounds. Source: MONSTRUM Playgrounds / Connor Ryan, 2024.
Figure 167. Across all of the parks, the proposed designs focus around accessibility. This is supported through paths, ramps, seating, and lighting to improve access and comfort for park users. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
Figure 166. Parking garages are proposed very selectively throughout the parks plan. Vines and other vegetation can soften the appearance of parking garage infrastructure. Source: OLIN, 2007.
Figure 168. A goal integrated into the design of parks across Culver City system is to support city-wide efforts to improve and promote bicycle use and safety on city park land including bicycle parking, integration with future bike paths, shade, and water fountains.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
Examples of Park Design Elements and General Strategies Inclusive Play + Gathering
Spaces
Accessible Paths,
Ramps, and Seating
Green Parking Garage
Improved Bicycle Access
and Amenities
The Parks Plan proposes
significant improvements for
each of the 1 3 Culver City
parks.
1 58 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS + OPPORTUNITIES KEY
The following icons will be displayed for each park that has the following potential stormwater design considerations:
Potential to manage on-site and off-site stormwater through the implementation of a large-scale, regional stormwater capture system.
Manage on-site stormwater through the implementation of on-site stormwater capture systems.
Design with sustainability in mind, following local minimum codes for drainage and water use efficiency.
Non essential turf removal opportunity.
Water use tracking and improved efficiency opportunity.
Throughout the Culver City parks system, many
signature trees give a recognizable identity to each
park. As the existing trees reach the end of their
lifespan, opportunities for biodiverse, native, and
climate adapted tree species can be planted and
will be identified in this box for each park page.
Example trees are trees that will form the overstory
of the park and should be trees that will ultimately
reach a big stature. Specific tree planting can be
further evaluated per project.
TREE CANOPY KEY
PARK PAGES
An existing condition plan drawing
and a proposed plan drawing follow
on the next several pages. You
can find itemized lists of proposed
amenities and improvements.
Figure 169. Existing and proposed plan drawings
on the following pages outline amenities and
improvements for each Culver City Park. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
Figure 170. Parks are identified with a variety of possibilities for stormwater improvements. Source: OLIN and Geosyntec, 2024.
Figure 171. Parks are identified with a variety of possibilities for tree canopy planting. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Botanical Tree Name
Common Tree Name
Existing Plan dr
awing Proposed Plan dr
awing detailing
Amenities and Impr
ovements
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 15 9
0’
N
100’ 200’ 400’
JEFFERSON BLVD.
Ro SE
g ARd EN
PICNIC
AREA
SKATE
PARK
Ro PES
Co URSE
P
ARK To
PL AYA TRAIL
THE Bo NEY AR d
dog P
ARK
BILL Bo T
TS
FIELd
LEASH LN.
LOTZ LN. BALdWIN HILLS
SCENIC o VERLoo K
S
TATE PARK
DUQUESNE AVE.
PLAYg Ro UNd
RESTRoo
m S
Poo CH
P
ATH
INg LEWood
o IL FIELdS
BASKETBALL
HALF Co URTS
CULVER CITY PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 172. Existing site plan of Culver City Park. It is a beloved community park for the city. Source: OLIN, 2024.
160 DRAFT THE PL
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• The “Friends of the Culver City Dog Park‘’ is a
501 non-pro
fit with a board of directors that
is associated with the BoneYard Dog Park.
PRCS had an MOU with this non-profit at one
time but it has since expired. Complaints are
often received about the DG material in the
park, which erodes down the slope during
rains and kicks up dust in the dry months.
However, PRCS has found it infeasible to
maintain grass within the dog park.
• Community members not
ed this park as
an opportunity zone for public art and/or a
splash pad, and suggested adding planting
more native species, additional hiking paths,
and pickleball or futsal courts.
• The idea o
f a large amphitheater over the
baseball fields was not widely supported in
previous studies by the city, however some
community members were supportive of
the idea of a small (<200 person) outdoor
community space nestled along the roadway
in the current storage yard.
• Inv
estigate and consider options for field
lighting.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Eucalyptus globulus
Tasmanian Bluegum
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
9910 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, 90232
CULVER CITY PARK is a 34.1-acre community
park which spans the Jefferson and Blair Hills
neighborhoods. It is home to the iconic Bill Botts
Fields and boasts panoramic views over the Los
Angeles basin towards the Santa Monica Mountains.
Culver City Park includes three main graded
sections: the upper field, down field area, and
lower park, which lies west of Duquesne Ave. The
upper fields are located on an old construction
landfill and are experiencing extensive settlement
issues. PRCS spends a significant amount of its
funding to maintain these fields. Other recreation
opportunities include a ropes course, which is
operated under a license agreement and is used by
appointment only, sports courts, and the Boneyard
Dog Park. The dog park is well used and is the only
official dog park in Culver City.
The park is unique within Culver City for its large
natural expanses and native habitat. There are a
significant number of eucalyptus trees as well as
many California native species including coast
live oak, toyon, lemonade berry, sagebrush, and
buckwheat. The park has an old rose garden by
Duquesne Ave. with a few remaining rose bushes
and Indian hawthorn shrubs. There are also invasive
species such as castor bean and black mustard.
AMENITIES
• Baseball fields: 4
• Basketball c
ourt: 1
• Pooch Path: 1
• Dog Park: 1
• Walking/jogging path: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Lighting: yes
• Picnic area: 4
• Picnic shelter: 1
• Parking lots: 5
• Play
ground: 2 (Ages 2-5; Ages 5-12)
• PRCS building: 1
• Skat
e park: 1
• Regional connection: 2 f
air (Park to Playa Trail)
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• The upper baseball fields are loc
ated on an
old construction landfill and are experiencing
extensive settlement issues, and PRCS
spends a significant amount of its funding to
maintain these fields.
• The w
ooden ramp nature trail leading down
the hill to the ropes course from Bill Botts
Field is not ADA accessible.
CULVER CITY PARK
Figure 173. The BoneYard at Culver City Park provides much-needed space for residents with dogs. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 161
0’
N
100’ 200’ 400’
JEFFERSON BLVD.
BALdWIN HILLS
SCENIC o VERLoo K
S
TATE PARK
THE Bo NEY
ARd
dog P
ARK
BILL Bo T
TS
FIELd
LEASH LN.
LOTZ LN.
DUQUESNE AVE.
Ro SE
g ARd EN
SKA
TE
PARK
Ro PES
Co URSE
P
ARK To
PL AYA TRAIL
PICNIC
AREA
PLAYg Ro UNd
RESTRoo
m S
Poo CH
P
ATH
BASKETBALL
HALF Co URTS
SITEWIdE UPdATES:
INg LEWood
o IL FIELdS
SANd
Vo LLEYBALL
dETAIL 1
CULVER CITY PARK PROPOSED
Figure 174. Proposed site plan of Culver City Park. This park offers the best opportunity for enhanced native habitat. Source: OLIN, 2024. 21 20
1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10
19 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 dET
AIL 2
22 162 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
Heteromeles
arbutifolia
Toyon
*Native species
Juglans californica
California walnut
*Native species
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
(Planned, Fall 2024) Improve the upper
fields and Bill Botts Field.
Install pile-driven fencing.
Add a jogging track around the fields.
Install grass per the recommendations in
the Turf Consultant’s Report on Park Fields
in Culver City, see page 39.
Layout four fields at Bill Botts by rerouting
existing road and reconfiguring existing
parking. Include stormwater capture to
meet LID requirements triggered by these
improvements.
(Planned) Convert path and playground
lighting to LEDs. This CIP was awarded
$300,000 by the City Council. Select
lighting with glare shields and dark skies
certification.
Remove invasive vegetation such as castor
bean and black mustard.
Select drought-tolerant, locally native
vegetation for new or replacement
plantings to enhance park identity.
Improve the existing conditions of BoneYard
Dog Park, consider surfacing alternatives.
Add planter boundaries to surround the
existing trees in the park to help protect
their roots and prevent erosion.
Add new trees in the dog park in protected
planting beds.
Replace electrical infrastructure.
Create an outdoor gathering space with
camp-style log seating near the ropes
course.
Designate the upper fields to be used for
soccer only, and designate the updated Bill
Botts fields to be used for softball/baseball
only to allow for scheduling clarity and turf
regeneration between playing seasons.
Create an outdoor community space in the
current CalTrans storage area.
Convert storage area near lower playground
to become picnic grove and racket sports
courts, which would be possible if additional
storage is located offsite, such as at Cougar
Park. Include stormwater capture system to
meet LID requirements.
Add a cafe and outdoor seating area near
the racket sports area.
Rebuild an ADA accessible nature walk
ramp with multiple viewing platforms
and rest areas with an elevated deck
construction. Include staircase connections
between each of the platforms.
Add hiking trails to activate the northern
slope that is underutilized. Stabilize this
slope.
Add an open-air pavilion nature center
near the lower picnic area. Buildings need
to be able to meet code for emergency
shelters for all proposed updates. Include
stormwater capture system to meet LID
requirements.
Include three new rentable picnic groves
alongside the nature center.
Consider upgrading snack bar and
restrooms.
For information on the Feasibility Study concepts
for Culver City Park, see page 40.
ON-SITE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Culver City Park has more significant proposed
redesigns, including a new Nature Center, Sports
Courts and a new roadway around Bill Botts sports
field. Due to existing land uses and drainage
conditions at Culver City Park, it is anticipated
that infiltration of stormwater may be infeasible.
Therefore, it is assumed that lined rain gardens/
biofiltration systems with underdrains will be
required to treat stormwater flows on-site, although
this approach may change as part of final design
of park redevelopment.
CULVER CITY PARK
21 20
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
19 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 22
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 163
DUQUESNE AVE.
LEASH LN.
CAFE
SEATINg
RACKET SPo RT
Co URTS
BIo FILTRA
TIo N
AREA
RACKET SPo RT
Co URTS
o UTdoo R
g ATHERINg
SPA
CE
SANd
Vo LLEYBALL
PICNIC
AREA
BASKETBALL
HALF Co URTS
Poo CH
P
ATH
0’
N
25’ 50’ 100’Figure 175. Detail 1. The proposed plan of Culver City Park includes a cafe, picnic grove, and racket sports courts. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARK PROPOSED
16 4 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
DUQUESNE AVE.
o UTdoo R
Comm UNIT
Y
SPACE
AdA A
CCESSIBLE
SEATINg
SEATINg
AdA
ACCESSIBLE
RAm P
0’
N
25’ 50’ 100’Figure 176. Detail 2. The proposed plan of Culver City Park includes an outdoor community space in the current CalTrans storage area.
The community space includes a raised platform, seating, ADA accessible seating, and an ADA accessible ramp connection to Bill Botts Field. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARK PROPOSED
CULVER CITY PARK PROPOSED PLAN
ENLARGEMENTS
Following community engagement and PRCS staff
feedback, additional racket sport courts and an
outdoor community space have been proposed
within two currently underutilized areas of the park
which are being used for storage. These storage
areas could be relocated within the city if necessary,
returning key areas of the park to public use.
The Parks Plan team
identified underutilized
areas within parks, such as
storage areas, that could be
returned to parkland.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 165
0’
N
100’ 200’ 400’
BARMAN AVE.
OVERLAND AVE.
COOMBS AVE.WENdE
m USEUm
SCo UT Ho USE
SENIo R
CENTER
VETERANS
m Emo RIAL
BUILdINg
THE PLUNg E
Poo L
TEEN CENTER
PL
AYg Ro UNd
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
RACKET
Co URTS
RES
TRoo
m S
+ S
To RAg E
BA
SEBALL
FIELd
BASEBALL
FIELd
Poo CH
P
ATH
SPo RTS
Co URTSCULVER BLVD.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 177. Existing site plan of Veterans Memorial Park. Facilities and rentals usually fill up quickly here. Source: OLIN, 2024. 166 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, 90230
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK is a 16.1-acre
community park located near the geographic heart
of Culver City in the Park West neighborhood. It
is home to the Culver City Municipal Plunge, the
Culver City Teen Center, the Culver City Historical
Society, and PRCS offices. The park hosts large
events such as Fiesta La Ballona and movie nights.
While the round glass face of the Veterans Memorial
Building is on the historic registry and the tower is
regarded as a city landmark, the building is in need
of replacement. There are many Chinese elms on
the north side of the park, large stone pines along
Barman Ave. that are beloved by the community,
and a few large ficus trees. There are also lawn
areas for the sports fields. A portion of the site is
leased to The Wende Museum, a Cold War history
museum. Across Culver Blvd., the Culver City Senior
Center provides social, educational, and recreational
opportunities to the community.
AMENITIES
• Baseball fields: 2
• Multipurpose field: 1
• Basketball c
ourt: 2
• Handball wall: 1
• Paddle tennis c
ourt: 3
• Tennis c
ourts: 2
• Fitness zone: 2
• Walking/
Jogging Path: 1 fair
• Barbecue: yes
• Kitchen: 1
• Lighting: yes
• Picnic area: 2
• Picnic shelter: 1
• Community/Recreation C
enters: 1
• Freestanding restroom: 1
• Play
ground: 2 (Ages 2-5; Ages 5-12)
• Pool: 1
• Parking lot: 2
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• The w
alking path needs repair and is not ADA
accessible.
• There tw
o softball fields cannot be used at
the same time, and the field in the middle
of the park is inconvenient for hosting
other events. There are occasionally broken
car windows in the parking lot due to the
ballfields.
• Community members ha
ve noted that the
current pool is at capacity and noted a need
for future pools to accommodate CCUSD
teams for water polo and swim team.
• Community members ha
ve requested
improvements and/or expansions to the
Scout House.
• Community members suggest
ed a walking
path around the park and noted that some of
the grass areas become muddy.
• Community members ha
ve also suggested
improving the rentable spaces and adding
spaces to host programming.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Ficus mircocarpa ‘Nitida’
Indian laurel fig
Pinus pinea
Stone pine
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 167
0’
N
100’ 200’ 400’
CULVER BLVD.
BARMAN AVE.
OVERLAND AVE.
COOMBS AVE.WENdE
m USEUm
SENIo R
CENTER
THE PLUNg E
Poo L
SITEWIdE UPdATES:
PL
AYg Ro UNd
SCo UT Ho USE
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
BASEBALL
FIELd
Poo CH
P
ATH
SPo RTS
Co URTS
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
PROPOSED
Figure 178. Proposed site plan of Veterans Memorial Park. The park capacity is expanded through consolidated parking. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 45
6 7
8 9
10 20
11 12
13 14
15 16
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Pinus pinea
Stone pine
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
18 17
19A
21 168 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
(Planned) Convert path and playground
lighting to LEDs. This CIP was awarded
$300,000 by the City Council. Select
lighting with glare shields and dark skies
certification.
Replace picnic pavilions. Add additional
rentable picnic pavilions.
Remove the central softball diamond to
create a multipurpose event space and
upgrade the corner softball field (move
bleachers from central field to corner
softball field, replace existing field lighting).
Add play pool and/or splash amenity next
to the existing Plunge Pool.
Renovate the Plunge Pool and locker/
shower facilities.
Upgrade the Scout House.
Convert the paddle tennis courts to an art
makerspace and gallery. Include stormwater
capture system to meet LID requirements.
Remove the surface parking and add a
parking garage along Culver Blvd. with
racket sport courts on the rooftop and a
rentable gallery or cafe/restaurant space
along the street front to activate Culver Blvd.
Enhance the streetscape and street tree
planting along Culver Blvd.
Based on the current condition of Veterans
Memorial Building, any renovations would
trigger a series of code compliance issues.
The recommended path forward is to
demolish the building and create a new
facility rather than making piecemeal
improvements. This facility can match the
new cultural and performing arts building
that was proposed in the Feasibility Study
completed in March 2024. Buildings need
to be able to meet code for emergency
shelters for all proposed updates.
Preserve the part of the building that is on
the historic register, the window on the
corner that overlooks Overland Ave.
Include rentable food and beverage space
on the parkside of the building and include
an outdoor cafe, restaurant, or plaza space in
some of the area where the surface parking
lot currently exists.
Consolidate parking on the Senior Center lot
into a parking structure bordering Overland
Ave. Add racket sport courts to the roof of
the parking structure. Include stormwater
capture system to meet LID requirements.
Expand park space and activity areas on the
Senior Center property.
Make the on-grade street crossing safer with
a wide and signaled crosswalk across Culver
Blvd.
Add a freestanding pedestrian bridge
connecting the Senior Center and the new
Veterans Memorial Building.
Build a new teen center and gymnasium.
Include stormwater capture system to meet
LID requirements.
Add a second pool in the location of the
former teen center.
Add a community garden.
Add a loading zone and ADA parking.
Add a regional stormwater BMP per the
SWQMP.
For information on the Feasibility Study concepts
for Veterans Memorial Park, see page 40.
PROPOSED (STORMWATER)
Veteran’s Park has significant proposed redesigns
as part of the Parks Plan, including new parking
structures, an additional pool, reorganized sports
courts, and art areas. Due to these anticipated
redesigns, LID requirements are expected to be
triggered, and stormwater management on-site
will likely be required. Although Veteran’s Park was
identified as a location for a regional stormwater
capture BMP within the SWQMP, it is anticipated
that only a portion of the new/replaced impervious
areas would be able to be conveyed to this
proposed regional BMP within the baseball field
area. Therefore, the new Parking Structure north
of the Senior Center and the new Art Makerspace
and Gallery may need individual stormwater BMPs
to treat these areas.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
19 20
21 CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 169
PARKINg g ARAg E WITH
Roo FTo P RA
CKET Co URTS
CUL VER BLVD.
Figure 179. Section A. A new parking structure with rooftop racket courts is proposed for Veterans Memorial Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK PROPOSED CROSS SECTION
CULVER CITY SENIOR CENTER PROPOSAL
The Culver City Senior Center is widely beloved
and is an invaluable resource to the community.
Nearly half of the parcel that the center sits on
today is surface parking lots and proposal #14 on
the previous page suggest to expand park space
and activity areas on the Senior Center property.
The use of the Senior Center requires parking for
community members as well as staff of the center,
PARKING GARAGE WITH ROOF TOP RACKET
COURTS
To accommodate changes at the Senior Center
property, the proposed plan for Veterans Memorial
Park includes a new parking structure with rooftop
racket courts. The building would also include
rentable food and beverage spaces along the
parkside and an outdoor cafe, restaurant, or plaza
facing the street to activate the edge of the park
along Culver Blvd. The proposed parking garage
would be located over an existing parking lot to
maintain and expand the area of the park that can
be enjoyed by the community. The parking garage
would also be attached to a new teen center and
gymnasium.
A parking garage with
streetfront and parkside
amenities would activate
park edge near Culver Blvd.
while buffering traffic noise.
Figure 180. Upgraded restrooms would be included in the new teen center and gymnasium.. Source: OLIN, 2024.
1 70 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
0’ 25’ 50’
PLAYg Ro UNd m UL TIPURPo SE FIELd
Figure 181. The proposed plan for Veterans Memorial Park maintains existing ameniteis like playgrounds while adding new featuers such as additional picnic shelters and sports courts.. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 171
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
STONEVIEW DR.
WRIGHTCREST DR.
SHEDD TER.
WRIGHTCREST DR.
PARK To PL AYA TRAIL
So FTBALL
FIELd
BLAIR HILLS PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 182. Existing site plan of Blair Hills Park, This park is cut into the hillside close to the Park to Playa Trail. Source: OLIN, 2024.
RESTRoom S
PICNIC AREA
PICNIC
PA
VILIo N
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
BASKETBALL
Co URT
PLAYg Ro UNd
172 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
WRIGHTCREST DR.
5950 Wrightcrest Dr, Culver City, 90232
BLAIR HILLS PARK is a 1.8-acre neighborhood park
nestled in the Blair Hills neighborhood between
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park and
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area. It is located
a block away from Stoneview Nature Center and
is just north of the Jim Webb Trail along the Park
to Playa Trail route but currently lacks a direct
connection to these networks. Blair Hills Park has
variable topography and includes notable elevation
differences between the park and the adjacent
streets. The park is lower by about 15 feet from
Wrightcrest Dr. to the west and approximately
elevated by three to four feet from Stoneview Dr.
to the east. This park has many eucalyptus trees
on the slope, Mexican fan palms at the entrance,
and ficus trees along Wrightcrest Dr. as well as a
lawn for passive or active recreation. The steep
slopes to the south and west are planted with ivy.
The park experiences drainage issues and backs
up to a steep slope. Evidence of extensive erosion
is evident on the slopes.
AMENITIES
• Diamond field: 1
• Multipurpose field: 1
• Basketball c
ourt: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Picnic area: 1
• Picnic shelter: 1
• Freestanding restroom: 1
• Play
grounds: 2 (Ages 2-5, Ages 5-12)
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• There is no AD
A walking trail around the park.
• PRCS staff ha
ve recommended better
utilization of the diamond field in the park
which is rarely used, and perhaps replacing
it with a pavilion for passive activities such as
yoga.
• Community members ha
ve suggested
updating the picnic shelter and restroom.
BLAIR HILLS PARK
Figure 183. The picnic pavilion at Blair Hills Park could be upgraded.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 184. Erosion issues are ongoing at Blair Hills Park. Source:
OLIN, 2024.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Eucalyptus globulus
Tasmanian Bluegum
Ficus mircocarpa ‘Nitida’
Indian laurel fig
Washingtonia
robusta
Mexican fan palm
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 173
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
STONEVIEW DR.
WRIGHTCREST DR.
WRIGHTCREST DR.
PARK To PL AYA TRAIL
SHEDD TER.
BLAIR HILLS PARK PROPOSED
Figure 185. Proposed site plan of Culver City Park. Additional walking paths and trail connections increase park accessibility. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4
5 6
PICNIC AREA
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
RESTRoo
m S
PICNIC
P
AVILIo N
BASKETBALL
Co URT
PLAYg Ro UNd
174 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
WRIGHTCREST DR.
PROPOSED
Add an ADA accessible decomposed granite
walking/jogging path around the perimeter
of the park.
Add native planting and conduct fire hazard
reduction strategies along the hillside of the
site.
Add additional picnic groves in the
southwest and southeast corners of the site.
Add a hiking trail connection to Park to
Playa trail up the hillside of the site via
multiple switchbacks.
Add a staircase access point and entry from
Wrightcrest Dr.
Rebuild the existing restrooms and picnic
shelter. Swap current locations of each
facility and create a cantilevered picnic
pavilion that captures the view of the city
from the hills.
BLAIR HILLS PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Umbellularia californica
CA bay laurel
*Native species
Tipuana tipu
Tipu tree
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 175
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
SAWTELLE BLVD.
EL RINCo N
ELEm ENT
ARY SCHoo L
PRCS-o WNEd SP ACE
Jo INT-USE SP
ACE
SCHoo L PLAY
EQUIPm ENT
m UL
TIPURPo SE FIELd
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
dAY
CARE
PICNIC
AREA PICNIC
PAVILIo N
m UL
TIPURPo SE FIELd
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
dAY
CARE
PICNIC
AREA PICNIC
PAVILIo N
So FTBALL
FIELd
So FTBALL
FIELd
BLANCO PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 186. Existing site plan of Blanco Park This park is governed by the joint use agreement with the school district. Source: OLIN, 2024. 176 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
BLANCO PARK
5801 Sawtelle Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230
BLANCO PARK is a 3.1-acre neighborhood park in
the Blanco/Culver Crest neighborhood. PRCS has a
joint use agreement with CCUSD to utilize El Rincon
Elementary School for Blanco Park, and it is used
for after school programming after 3pm. The public
can generally access the space on weekends and
for soccer rentals. There is a full loop walking path
around the fields. The park has many liquidambar,
Canary Island pine, and ficus trees around a lawn
for sports fields.
AMENITIES
• Diamond field: 2; sof
tball practice field
• Multipurpose field: 1
• Fitness zone: 1
• Walking/jogging path: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Picnic area: 1
• Picnic shelter: 1
• PRCS Building: 1 (trailer building, da
y care
facility)
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• Community members lik
e the perimeter
walking path and suggested updating the
park building and picnic shelter.
Figure 187. Blanco Park’s current picnic groves include exposed tables. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 188. The walking path surrounding Blanco Park connexts to the nearby neighborhood. Source: OLIN, 2024.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Ficus mircocarpa ‘Nitida’
Indian laurel fig
Pinus canariensis
Canary Island pine
Liquidambar
styracilua
Liquidambar tree
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 177
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
SAWTELLE BLVD.
EL RINCo N
ELEm ENT
ARY SCHoo L
PRCS-o WNEd SP ACE
Jo INT-USE SP
ACE
SCHoo L PLAY
EQUIPm ENT
SITEWIdE UPdATES:
m UL
TIPURPo SE FIELd
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
dAY
CARE
PICNIC
AREA
So FTBALL
FIELd
So FTBALL
FIELd
BLANCO PARK PROPOSED
Figure 189. Proposed site plan of Blanco Park. A new picnic pavilion and additional seating is proposed. Source: OLIN, 2024.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 PICNIC
PAVILIo N
178 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
(Planned) Public Works to replace the
daycare trailer building.
Add additional benches around the walking
path of the park.
Plant additional trees for shade.
Repair or replace existing drinking fountains.
Designate the existing lawn area as a
multipurpose field for softball (2 fields) and
soccer (1 regulation field).
Update the joint use agreement with
CCUSD to allow for more access for Culver
City residents during non-school hours.
Replace picnic pavilion.
BLANCO PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Calocedrus decurrens
Incense Cedar
*Native species
Liquidambar
styracilua
Liquidambar tree
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 17 9
0’
N
40’ 80’ 160’
BRADDOCK DR.
MOTOR AVE.
LE BOURGET AVE.
PARK AVE.
RESTRoom S
+ STo RAg E
PICNIC
PAVILIo N
CARLSON PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 190. Existing site plan of Carlson Park. This park is used for passive activities. Source: OLIN, 2024.
180 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
Braddock Dr. at Motor Ave., Culver City, CA 90232
CARLSON PARK is a 2.5-acre neighborhood park
beloved by the Park East community for its mature
and varied tree canopy and restful atmosphere. Tree
species within the park include ficus, coast live oak,
magnolia, and Chinese elm throughout a passive
recreation lawn. Some of the trees are marked by
monuments. Due to the park’s proximity to film
studios and its tree canopy, it is a popular filming
location. Filming provides a notable revenue
stream. Often people use this area for group
activities without realizing a permit is required.
AMENITIES
• Small grass rec. field: 1
• Walking/jogging path: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Hydr
ation station: 1
• Picnic area: 2
• Picnic shelter 1
• Freestanding restroom: 1
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• Oft
en people use this area for group activities
without realizing a permit is required.
• Numerous community members ha
ve
commented that they would like to keep
the park as it is as a passive recreation area.
Specifically, some nearby residents said they
preferred not to add a playground. They
noted that the park is well used already by
children with parents or nannies, and they
liked that the park provides unstructured
access to nature.
• Community members also not
ed issues
with traffic visibility along Braddock Dr.
and suggested adding a stop sign at the
intersection of Braddock Dr. and Motor Ave.
• Community members ha
ve suggested more
benches and seating.
• Community members v
alue the large and
mature tree canopy of the park.
CARLSON PARK
Figure 191. This public art piece is at the center of Carlson Park.
Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 192. The picnic pavilion at Carlson Park provides a space for gathering. Source: OLIN, 2024.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Ficus mircocarpa ‘Nitida’
Indian laurel fig
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
Magnolia grandifolia
Southern magnolia
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 181
0’
N
40’ 80’ 160’
BRADDOCK DR.
MOTOR AVE.
LE BOURGET AVE.
PARK AVE.
RESTRoom S
+ STo RAg E
RESTRoo m S
+ S
To RAg E
PICNIC
PAVILIo N
CARLSON PARK PROPOSED
Figure 193. The proposed site plan for Carlson Park keeps or enhances a majority of the existing elements. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4
182 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
(Planned) Install a guard fence and replant
the central planter around the art piece.
Add additional benches and litter
receptacles.
Investigate traffic visibility issues along
Braddock Dr., and add a stop sign at
Braddock Dr. and Motor Ave.
As trees need to be replaced over time,
plant California native and climate adapted
species. Plant new tree species in the gaps
of the mature tree canopy.
CARLSON PARK
1 2
3 4
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
Tipuana tipu
Tipu tree
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 183
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
MOORE ST.
WADE ST.
CULVER CITY B
oUN
dARY
RECREATIo N BUILdINg
STo RAg E
PICNIC
AREA
Poo CH
P
ATH
SPo RTS
Co URTS
PLAYg Ro UNd
CULVER WEST ALEXANDER PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 194. Existing site plan of Culver West Alexander Park. This park is also used by many residents outside of Culver City. Source: OLIN, 2024. 184 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
CULVER WEST ALEXANDER PARK
4162 Wade Ave., Culver City, CA 90066
CULVER WEST ALEXANDER PARK is a 3.1-acre
neighborhood park serving the Culver/West
neighborhood, and it experiences Culver City’s
highest levels of park pressure. It is an especially
popular location for families and childcare. The
park includes a walking loop which doubles as a
Pooch Path. This park has many Canary Island pines,
stone pines, and red ironbark trees and a lawn for
passive recreation.
AMENITIES
• Multipurpose field: 1
• Basketball c
ourt: 1
• Handball wall: 3
• Paddle tennis c
ourt: 2
• Tennis c
ourt: 1
• Pooch path: 1
• Walking/jogging path: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Kitchen: 1
• Lighting: yes
• Picnic area: 1
• Community/Recreation C
enters: 1
• Freestanding restroom: 1
• Play
ground: 3 (Ages 2-5; Ages 5-12)
• Parking lot: 1
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• Ov
erall updates to the playground are
needed. The toddler playground needs to be
resurfaced.
• The w
ood floor in the recreation building is
worn out.
• Community members not
ed the grass areas
are well used by families and people working
from home, and that seniors and children
enjoy the walking paths and picnicking. They
also noted that the handball walls are well
used for practicing a variety of sports beyond
handball.
• Community members not
ed that the swings
are well used but that the park could use
more swings for bigger kids or teens.
• Community members suggest
ed the
multipurpose field could be converted to a
passive park space.
Figure 195. The picnic area and playground at Culver West Alexander Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 196. The restrooms and basketball court at Culver West Alexander Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Jacaranda mimosifolia
Jacaranda tree
Pinus canariensis
Canary Island pine
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 185
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
MOORE ST.
WADE ST.
RECREATIo N BUILdINg
STo RAg E
Poo CH
P
ATH
PICNIC
AREA
CULVER CITY B
oUN
dARY
SPo RTS
Co URTS
PLAYg Ro UNd
CULVER WEST ALEXANDER PARK PROPOSED
Figure 197. The proposed site plan for Culver West Alexander Park increases picnic space and vegetation in the park. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4
5 6 7
8 9
10 11
11 12
13 14 15
16 17
18 186 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
(Planned) Replace basketball court.
Replace outdated play equipment, and
study inclusion of play equipment for bigger
kids or teens.
Resurface toddler playground.
Increase planting area where possible.
Add fabric sun shades over the basketball
court.
Add two rentable picnic pavilions.
Install additional seating around the pooch
path.
Plant additional canopy trees (native or
climate adapted species).
Create two additional picnic groves.
Remove the nonfunctional turf along
Moore St. and replace it with low-water use
adapted or native plants and increase street
trees.
Add a rain garden (low flow diversion
to a dry basin) with native planting and
educational signage in the unused triangle
of lawn between the paddle tennis courts
and cul de sac as well as adjacent to the
playground.
Replace tall chain link fence and add an
upgraded lower fence around the park.
Green the alley connecting the park to
McConnell Blvd. and create a new park
gateway.
Renovate the current recreation building
and address foundation issues. Replace
wood flooring and update interiors.
Buildings need to be able to meet code
for emergency shelters for all proposed
updates.
Consider rebuilding the recreation facility if
the foundation repairs are too costly or are
untenable.
Install photovoltaic shade structures or
permeable paving in the parking lot.
Create an outdoor community space
that could host gatherings and arts
performances.
Add a fenced dog run.
POTENTIAL NEW REGIONAL STORMWATER
OPPORTUNITY
Although Culver West Alexander Park does not
trigger LID requirements due to the limited
redesign proposed, this park was identified
as a good potential location for a new regional
stormwater BMP for water quality benefits. The
neighborhood north of the park appears to be
within the tributary area of a catch basin in Wade
Street at the northern end of the park. The City
may consider capturing stormwater flows from
this neighborhood, for example using reverse
parkway culverts on both sides of the cul-de-sac
upstream of the existing catch basin. Stormwater
capture systems could include a combination of
rain gardens and underground infiltration systems
depending on site-specific conditions. This could
result in increased stormwater compliance benefits
consistent with those noted in the City’s SWQMP.
CULVER WEST
ALEXANDER PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Brachychiton populuneus
Bottle tree
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
Calocedrus decurrens
Incense Cedar
*Native species
18 CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 187
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
DILLER AVE.
BERRYMAN AVE.
EL m ARINo
ELEm ENT
ARY SCHoo L
EL m ARINo SCHoo L
SPo RTS FIELd
PLA
Yg Ro UNd
RECREATIo N
BUILdINgCERAm ICS
HUT
HANdBALL
Co URT
BA
SKETBALL
Co URT
EL MARINO EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 198. Existing site plan of El Marino Park. This park sits next to El Marino School. Source: OLIN, 2024.
PASSIVE
LAWN AREA
188 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
301 Berryman Ave., Culver City, CA 90232
EL MARINO PARK is a 1.6-acre neighborhood park
in the Sunkist Park neighborhood. The western
edge of the park is directly adjacent to El Marino
Elementary School and El Marino Turf Field. The
park has many liquidambar and Canary Island
pine trees and a passive recreation lawn. A popular
ceramics class is held in a ceramic hut in the
park, and PRCS owns the kiln and most of the
equipment. The playground here is next in the
schedule to be renovated. El Marino is one of the
few Culver City parks which is fenced in, a quality
noted as particularly valuable by park users with
small children.
AMENITIES
• Multipurpose field: 1
• Basketball c
ourt: 1
• Handball wall: 2
• Barbecue: yes
• Kitchen: 1
• Lighting: yes
• Picnic area: 1
• Community/Recreation C
enters: 2
• Freestanding restroom: 1
• Play
ground: 2
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• There is no AD
A walking path in this park.
• Picnic tables and rentable areas could be
bett
er utilized, as there is one picnic area in
the middle of the field.
• Community members ha
ve noted that
demand for the ceramics class, which maxes
out at 10 participants, is much higher than
available slots. The scale of the facility limits
the number of participants, so a larger facility
could help assist with this. There is no longer
a need for the bathrooms on the outboard
side of this facility, so that could become
expansion space.
• Community members c
ommented on
resurfacing the basketball court, refilling
the sandbox with sand rather than mulch,
and adding additional space for aftercare
programs.
Figure 199. The playground and courtyards at El Marino Park are in need of upgrades. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 200. There is limited capacity inside the ceramics hut at El Marino Park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
EL MARINO PARK
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Pinus canariensis
Canary Island pine
Liquidambar
styracilua
Liquidambar tree
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 189
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
DILLER AVE.
BERRYMAN AVE.
EL m ARINo
ELEm ENT
ARY SCHoo L
EL m ARINo SCHoo L
SPo RTS FIELd
PLA
Yg Ro UNd
RECREATIo N
BUILdINg
ARTS
PA
VILIo N
BASKETBALL
Co URT
EL MARINO PARK PROPOSED
Figure 201. The proposed site plan for El Marino Park increases the capacity for arts programming. Source: OLIN, 2024.
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 19 0 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
PROPOSED
(Planned) Replace play equipment and play
surface. Add a swingset.
Add an ADA accessible decomposed granite
walking/jogging path around the perimeter
of the park.
Create an ADA accessible park entrance
ramp from Berryman Ave.
Add two additional rentable picnic groves.
Remove the picnic area in the center of the
field, but leave the existing tree canopy as-is.
Install large fabric shade structures over the
play areas.
Resurface the basketball court.
Add an outdoor gathering space to the
northeast corner of the park and add
rainwater dispersion to adjacent planting.
Rebuild the Ceramics Hut into an
expanded Arts Pavilion, include more arts
programming, and have indoor-outdoor
usable spaces under an integrated shade
canopy. Buildings need to be able to meet
code for emergency shelters for all proposed
updates. Include stormwater capture system
to meet LID requirements.
Expand the playground area to account for
the Arts Pavilion shade canopy.
Remove existing handball courts.
Renovate the existing recreation building
with sustainability upgrades (including
better insulation, AC, paired with other
energy initiatives).
ON-SITE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
El Marino includes a new Arts Pavilion and an
Outdoor Classroom that may result in over 5,000
square feet (SF) of new impervious surfaces. Due
to these new features, LID requirements may be
triggered, and on-site stormwater management
will likely be required. It is anticipated that the
new Arts Pavilion (~4,000 sf) may require a structural
treatment BMP, whereas the Outdoor Classroom
(~1,200 sf) runoff could be dispersed into adjacent
pervious landscaping. This approach may change
as part of final design of park redevelopment.
EL MARINO PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Arbutus marina
Strawberry tree
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 191
0’
N
80’ 160’ 320’
BUCKINGHAM PKWY.
GREEN VALLEY CIR.
RACKET SPo RTS
Co URTS
m UL
TIPURPo SE FIELd
So FTBALL
FIELd
SANd
Vo LLEYBALL
RES
TRoo
m S
PL
AYg Ro UNd
BASKETBALL
Co URT
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
FOX HILLS PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 202. Existing site plan of Fox Hills Park. This parks sits as a plateau above street level. Source: OLIN, 2024.
192 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
FOX HILLS PARK
Green Valley Circle & Buckingham Parkway,
Culver City, CA 90230
FOX HILLS PARK is a 10-acre neighborhood park in
the Fox Hills neighborhood and the southernmost
park in Culver City’s park system. There are lawns for
both sports fields and passive recreation. This park
has many coral trees, pines, and eucalyptus trees.
Understory planting includes non-native adapted
species such as verbena, Pride of Madeira, birds of
paradise, blue chalk sticks, and lantana as well as
invasive species such as pampas grass. The extensive
walking trails, ample tree canopy, and scenic nature
of the park are beloved by park users, however ADA
accessibility could be improved and steep slopes
along Buckingham Pkwy. and Green Valley Cir. have
created problems around erosion.
AMENITIES
• Diamond field: 1
• Multipurpose field: 1
• Basketball c
ourts: 2
• Paddle tennis c
ourts: 4
• Tennis c
ourts: 3
• Sand volle
yball court: 1
• Fitness Zone: 8 good, 4
• Walking/jogging path: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Lighting: yesPicnic area: 3
• Picnic shelter: 1
• Freestanding restroom: 1
• Play
ground: 2 (Ages 2-5; Ages 5-12),
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• ADA ac
cessibility is an issue: access ramps
surrounding the site do not meet ADA code.
• Steep slopes along Buckingham Park
way and
Green Valley Circle have created problems
around erosion.
• Play
grounds where ramps have been added
have a large step dropoff due to settlement of
wood chips.
• It is difficult t
o hold events here due to the
lack of parking, and PRCS receives complaints
about the lack of parking, difficulty accessing
the park, and safety issues for pedestrians and
cyclists. However, the neighborhood is against
adding parking.
• PRCS receiv
es complaints from neighbors
about lighting in the park being too bright.
The light fixtures in this park match many of
the other City parks and do not have glare
shields or full cutoff fixtures. Complaints are
also made about too much noise at night.
• Community members not
ed that increasing
density in the neighborhood will necessitate
additional park space.
• Community members suggest
ed planting
more native species, adding a rain garden,
expanding bicycle paths, adding a swingset,
improving walking path lighting, and
repairing the walking path. Sand play areas
were also brought up as a maintenance
concern.
• There is a need f
or a community building or
center in this area of Culver City.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Eucalyptus globulus
Tasmanian Bluegum
Pinus canariensis
Canary Island pine
Erythina caffra
Coastal coral tree
Juniperus chinensis
‘Torulosa’
Hollywood juniper
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 193
0’
N
80’ 160’ 320’
0’ 10’ 20’ 40’
SITEWIdE UPdATES:
PLAYg Ro UNd
SANd
Vo LLEYBALL
m UL
TIPURPo SE FIELd
Comm UNIT
Y CENTER WITH
INTEg RA
TEd P
ARK TRAIL
PICNIC AREAPARK
PATHWAY
RESTRoo
m S
RACKET SPo RTS
Co URTS
So FTBALL
FIELd
B
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
BUCKINGHAM PKWY.
BUCKINGHAM
PKWY.
GREEN VALLEY CIR.
BASKETBALL
Co URT
FOX HILLS PARK PROPOSED
Figure 203. The proposed site plan for Fox Hills Park enhances many existing elements of the park. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 204. Section B. The proposed community center could include an elevator for accessible access between street level and park level. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
21 19
18 20
22 23
24 194 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
Address the hillside slope erosion along
Buckingham Pkwy. and Green Valley Cir.
via slope stabilization, grading adjustments,
and new planting.
Create a rain garden at the base of the slope
to meet LID requirements.
Install glare shields on park lighting or
install full cutoff fixtures.
Add additional LED path lighting around
the park.
Remove invasive vegetation such as pampas
grass and replace understory with non-
invasive climate adapted and/or locally
native vegetation.
Create an ADA accessible walking/jogging
path along the perimeter of the park.
Regrade entry walkway to a 5% slope.
Continue nautical chain boundaries along
walking/jogging paths throughout the park.
Install new path edging that could be curbs
on either side of the path.
Add a few additional benches along the
path.
Relocate and improve the softball field, and
maintain the existing number and sizes of
multipurpose fields with moveable lights.
Replace basketball court area with one half
court and one junior high full court.
Add two additional pickleball courts by the
racket sports area.
Replace rotor irrigation system with drip
irrigation.
Improve the picnic grove by the racket
sports court area.
Add a nature play area by the volleyball
court, add additional swing sets.
Improve and add more adult exercise
equipment.
Improve and add bicycle and pedestrian
access in accordance with the efforts of the
Culver City Public Works Department.
Add additional bicycle storage and parking
at the entrances to the park.
Build a community recreation center for
Fox Hills. Buildings need to be able to meet
code for emergency shelters for all proposed
updates.
Investigate opportunities for this facility in
adjacent development projects to reduce
impacts on park space.
If required, consider a small building built
into the hillside on Buckingham Pkwy. with
elevator ADA access to the upper level of the
park.
Create a signature native plant garden and
environmental signage off of the main entry
path on Buckingham Pkwy.
Create new park gateways and access
to the open space network of nearby
developments in accordance with the new
Fox Hills Specific Plan (in development).
Add a regional stormwater BMP per the
SWQMP.
REGIONAL STORMWATER CAPTURE SITE
The proposed new community center within the
park boundaries may require some level of LID
BMP implementation if it is over 5,000 square feet.
This park has been identified as a high priority to
the city for installation of a regional stormwater
capture BMP. Therefore, further analysis should
be conducted to confirm adequate capacity exists
within the SWQMP regional stormwater capture
BMP to also accommodate on-site stormwater
volumes.
FOX HILLS PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
15 16
17 18
22 21
20 19
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Cericidium
‘Desert Museum’
Desert museum palo verde
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
23 24
Juglans californica
California walnut
*Native species
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 195
0’
N
60’ 12 0 ’ 240’
STUDIO DR.
RHODA WAY
RHODA WAY
OCEAN DR.
BALLONA CREEK
COTA ST.
KINSTON AVE.
CULVER CITY HIg H
SCHoo L FIELdS
BALL
oNA CREEK BIKE P
ATH
CULVER CITY B
o UNdARY
PLAYg Ro UNd
RESTRoo
m S
RECREA
TIo N
BUILdINg
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
SPo RT
Co URTS
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
PICNIC
P
AVILIo N
So FTBALL
FIELd
TEE-BALL +
KICKBALL
FIELd
LINDBERG PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 205. Existing site plan of Lindberg Park. The park is adjacent to the Ballona Creek. Source: OLIN, 2024.
196 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
STUDIO DR.
LINDBERG PARK
5041 Rhoda Way, Culver City, CA 90230
LINDBERG PARK is a 4.2-acre neighborhood park
serving the Studio Village neighborhood. It is
located just south of the Ballona Creek Bridge, a
pedestrian and cyclist connector providing access
to the Ballona Creek Bike Path on the north side of
the creek. There are many Chinese elms in this park
and a few jacaranda trees, as well as lawn for sports
fields and passive recreation. The park edge along
Ocean Dr. is very steep and the park is lacking in
accessibility. The play area is aging and the sports
courts, fields, and exercise equipment have been
added over time.
AMENITIES
• Baseball field: 1
• Multipurpose field: 2
• Basketball c
ourt: 1
• Handball wall: 2
• Tennis c
ourt: 1
• Fitness zone: 2
• Barbecue: yes
• Hydr
ation station: 1
• Kitchen: 1
• Picnic area: 1
• Picnic shelter: 1
• Community/Recreation C
enters: 1; day care
facility
• Freestanding restroom: 1
• Play
ground: 2 (Ages 2-5; Ages 5-12)
• Parking lot: 1
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• The park edge along Oc
ean Dr. is very steep
and the park is lacking in accessibility. There
is no ADA walking path in this park.
• Courts, fields, and e
xercise equipment have
been added over time.
• Community members ha
ve suggested
updating the play equipment. Some
community members expressed that they
like the sand play area.
• Community members ha
ve expressed
interest in a DG walking path around the
park. Some community members specified
they don’t want more concrete added and
think the park is okay without additional
sidewalks.
Figure 206. The playground at Lindberg Park has an opportunity to be a signature playground for the city. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 207. The sports court area at Lindberg Park divides the park in half. Source: OLIN, 2024.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Jacaranda mimosifolia
Jacaranda tree
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 197
0’
N
60’ 12 0 ’ 240’
STUDIO DR.
RHODA WAY
RHODA WAY
OCEAN DR.
BALLONA CREEK
KINSTON AVE.
CULVER CITY HIg H
SCHoo L FIELdS
BALL
oNA CREEK BIKE P
ATH
CULVER CITY B
o UNdARY
COTA ST.
RESTRoom S
RECREATIo N
BUILdINg
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
SPo RT
Co URTS
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
PL
AYg Ro UNd
PICNIC
PA
VILIo N
TEE-BALL +
KICKBALL
FIELd
LINDBERG PARK PROPOSED
Figure 208. The proposed site plan for Lindberg Park leverages the planned stormwater improvements to reorganize the park. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 9
10 198 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
STUDIO DR.
PROPOSED
Convert the concrete area by the parking
lot to an additional vegetation and walking
path area.
Add an accessible decomposed granite
walking/jogging path around the perimeter
of the park.
Remove the small softball field and add a
passive games area, including table tennis,
cornhole, and chess.
Add two new picnic groves near the daycare
building along Ocean Dr.
Plant additional canopy trees (native or
climate adapted species). Focus on creating
a denser canopy with continuous shade
along the northern end of the park.
Create a new signature playground with
shade structures that includes accessible
play equipment and equipment for different
play styles. The playground could be themed
and reflect the ecology of the Ballona Creek.
Renovate the existing recreation/daycare
building with sustainability upgrades
for recreation building (including better
insulation, air conditioning, paired with
other energy initiatives). Buildings need
to be able to meet code for emergency
shelters for all proposed updates.
Allow for arts programing in this building
in the evenings.
Reorient the sports courts and fields
for better functionality and ideal court
orientation and add soundproofing. Cluster
the basketball and tennis courts at the
southern end of the site, and move the
soccer fields north. Move the tee-ball and
kickball field to the northwest corner of the
multipurpose field.
Add an additional picnic grove at the
southwest corner of the site, with additional
picnic tables around the courts.
REGIONAL STORMWATER CAPTURE SITE
Due to the new spectator seating, and shifting
of sports amenities, LID BMPs will likely be
required. This park has been identified as a high
priority to the city for installation of a regional
stormwater capture BMP. Therefore, further analysis
should be conducted to confirm adequate capacity
exists within the SWQMP regional stormwater
capture BMP to also accommodate on-site
stormwater volumes.
LINDBERG PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Quercus agrifolia
Coast live oak
*Native species
Umbellularia californica
CA bay laurel
*Native species
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 199
0’
N
50’ 100’ 200’
BALLONA CREEK
ExPo LINE
ExPo BIKEW
AY
BALL
oNA CREEK BIKE P
ATH
CULVER CITY B
oUN
dARY
ECHo
Ho RIZo N
SCHoo L
PL
AYg Ro UNd
PICNIC PA
VILIo NS
RA
CKET
Co URTS S
WINg
SET
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
So FTBALL
FIELd
PICNIC
AREA
RECREATIo N
BUILdINg
So FTBALL
LEAg UE FIELd
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
REID AVE.
ROBERTS AVE.
MCMANUS AVE.
FAY AVE.
BASKETBALL
Co URT
Comm UNIT
Y
g ARdEN
SYD KRONENTHAL PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 209. Existing site plan of Syd Kronenthal Park The park is the gateway to the Ballona Creek Bike Path. Source: OLIN, 2024. 200 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
SYD KRONENTHAL PARK
3459 McManus Ave., Culver City, CA 90232
SYD KRONENTHAL PARK is a 6.1-acre
neighborhood park in Culver City’s McManus
neighborhood bordered to the east by Ballona
Creek and to the south by the Metro E Line. It is
an important pedestrian and cyclist node as the
Ballona Creek Bike Path and Expo Bike Path cross
at the park’s southeast corner.
This park has many ficus trees, an allée of Chinese
flame trees on the park’s north edge, and a large
lawn for sports fields. League softball games use the
fields almost daily. There are mature vines trained
onto the chain-link fence of the tennis courts. The
sports fields, courts, and workout equipment are
very well used, however there have previously been
issues with graffiti, vandalism, and gang presence
at this location. PRCS is installing a community
garden adjacent to the basketball court and a new
hydration station, and an updated playground was
installed recently.
AMENITIES
• Sof
tball fields: 2
• Multipurpose fields: 1
• Basketball c
ourts: 1
• Paddle tennis c
ourts: 2
• Tennis c
ourts: 1
• Fitness zones: 7
• Walking/jogging path: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Hydr
ation station: 1
• Lighting: yes
• Picnic area: 5
• Picnic shelters: 2
• Community/Recreation C
enters: 1 (recreation
rooms, preschool facility)
• Play
grounds: 3 (Ages 2-5; Ages 5-12)
• Parking lots: 2
• Regional connection: 2 (Ballona Creek Bik
e
Path and Expo Bike Path)
Figure 210. A picnic area behind the tennis court at Syd Kronenthal Park can be enhanced. Source: OLIN, 2024.
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• The sports fields, c
ourts, and workout
equipment are very well used, however
there have previously been issues with
graffiti, vandalism, and gang presence at this
location.
• The w
alking paths change materials several
times throughout the park, which can
present accessibility issues.
• Community members ha
ve commented
that the surface for the tennis court could
be improved and that they would like to
see more tennis courts. There has also been
competition for court space among tennis,
paddle tennis, and pickleball players at this
location.
• Community members not
ed that bicycles
zoom along the pedestrian sidewalks in the
park.
• Community members not
ed that the lighting
could be brightened.
• Community members suggest
ed a pool at
this location.
• Community members also not
ed that
fencing around play areas for toddlers like at
Syd Kronenthal is an attractive feature that
few other Culver City parks include.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
Ficus mircocarpa ‘Nitida’
Indian laurel fig
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 201
0’
N
50’ 100’ 200’
BALLONA CREEK
ExPo LINE
ExPo BIKEW
AY
BALL
oNA CREEK BIKE P
ATH
REID AVE.
ROBERTS AVE.
MCMANUS AVE.
FAY AVE.
CULVER CITY B
oUN
dARY
SITEWIdE UPdATES:
ECHo
Ho RIZo N
SCHoo L
PLAYg Ro UNd
RACKET
Co URTS S
WINg
SET
ExERCISE
EQUIPm ENT
PICNIC
AREA
RECREATIo N
BUILdINg
BASKETBALL
Co URT
So FTBALL
LEAg UE FIELd
PICNIC PAVILIo NS
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd Comm UNIT
Y
g ARdEN
SYD KRONENTHAL PARK PROPOSED
Figure 211. The proposed site plan for Syd Kronenthal Park expands the playground and consolidates parking in a structure. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
202 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
PROPOSED
(Planned) Coordinate with Public Works to
add bicycle parking and water fountains to
bicycle path access points.
(Planned) Public Works priority site;
coordinate between departments to install
underground stormwater storage.
(Planned) Convert path and playground
lighting to LEDs. This CIP was awarded
$300K by the City Council. Select
lighting with glare shields and dark skies
certification.
Add lighting to the basketball court.
Plant additional canopy trees (native or
climate adapted species).
Improve the important node where access
points for Ballona Creek Bike Path and
Expo Park Bike Paths meet with locally
native planting, artwork, wayfinding, seating,
shade, a bicycle repair station, and a
hydration station.
Improve the walking/jogging path along the
perimeter of the park.
Add another rentable picnic pavilion and
more picnic tables near the sports courts.
Renovate the irrigation system.
Expand the area with the swingsets to
include nature play and accessible play
equipment.
Add a mural along the southern wall with
the Expo Line.
Renovate the existing recreation building.
Consider large doors opening towards
the park, the redesign of room layouts for
improved functionality, or a second story.
Include sustainability upgrades such as
better insulation, air conditioning, and
photovoltaic panels. Buildings need to be
able to meet code for emergency shelters
for all proposed updates.
Add an outdoor gathering space that could
host arts performances and lectures.
Explore joint use opportunities with Echo
Horizon School.
REGIONAL STORMWATER CAPTURE SITE
Due to more minor improvements proposed, LID
BMPs may not be required. During final design and
engineering, stormwater runoff from improvement
areas of other areas of the park may be routed to
the SWQMP proposed regional stormwater capture
BMP. Further analysis should be conducted to
confirm adequate capacity exists within the regional
stormwater capture BMP to also accommodate on-
site stormwater volumes.
SYD KRONENTHAL PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 12
13 14
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
Populus fremontii
Fremont cottonwood
*Native species
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 203
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
BENTLEY AVE.
TILDEN AVE.
WASHINGTON PL.
CHURCH
PARKINg Lo T
PL
AYg Ro UNd
WASHINGTON BLVD.
RESTRoom S
PICNIC
PA
VILIo N
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
TELLEFSON PARK EXISTING CONDITION
Figure 212. Existing site plan of Tellefson Park. This park is underutilized and sis at a busy intersection. Source: OLIN, 2024. 204 DRAFT THE PL
AN //
SITE SC
ALE
TELLEFSON PARK
Washington Place & Tilden Ave., Culver City,
CA 90232
TELLEFSON PARK is a 1.5-acre neighborhood park
in Culver City’s Clarkdale neighborhood at the busy
intersection of Washington Pl. and Washington
Blvd. Tellefson Park was established on the historic
site of the former Rollerdrome, a popular social
venue from the 1920s to 1960s. This park has
many Canary Island pines, stone pines, and red
ironbark trees as well as a passive recreation lawn
and recently updated, shaded play equipment.
The picnic shelter is rented less often compared
with other parks, however the picnic tables and
benches along Bentley Ave. are frequently in use
by community members.
Note: The draft General Plan 2045 defines Tellefson
Park as a parkette/mini park. Due to its existing
amenities, the Parks Plan classifies Tellefson Park
as a neighborhood park.
AMENITIES
• Multipurpose fields: 1
• Barbecue: yes
• Hydr
ation station: 1
• Picnic areas: 3
• Picnic shelter: 1
• Freestanding restrooms: 1
• Play
grounds: 2 (Ages 2-5; Ages 5-12)
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• PRCS staff has rec
ommended locating
pickleball courts in this park.
• The picnic shelt
er is not often rented as
the park has frequent concerns with the
unhoused population.
• Shade can be more e
venly distributed around
the park—community members have noted
that the pavilion often feels too dark and
shaded, and the field can feel too hot and
exposed.
• Community members suggest
ed a DG
walking path around the park, to plant more
trees, and to improve the restrooms.
Figure 213. The picnic pavilion at Tellefson Park could use additional lihght. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 214. The mural at Tellefson Park is from 2001. Source: OLIN, 2024.
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
Pinus canariensis
Canary Island pine
Eucalyptus sideroxylon
Red ironbark
Pinus pinea
Stone pine
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 205
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
BENTLEY AVE.
TILDEN AVE.
WASHINGTON PL.
CHURCH
PARKINg Lo T
WASHINGTON BLVD.
PLAYg Ro UNd
m UL
TIPURPo SE
FIELd
RESTRoo
m S
PICNIC
P
AVILIo N
TELLEFSON PARK PROPOSED
Figure 215. The proposed site plan for Tellefson Park adds pickleball courts and a walking path around the park. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
11 206 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
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PROPOSED
More evenly distribute shade around the
park—thin out canopy near the picnic
pavilion, and plant more trees around the
open field area.
Add an accessible decomposed granite
walking/jogging path around the perimeter
and between each of the elements in the
park.
Extend sidewalk around the full perimeter
of the park.
Add additional benches and dispersed
picnic tables.
Add four additional small (one table) picnic
groves along Bentley Ave.
Update mural along the northern edge of
the site.
Install two racket sport courts on the
southern corner of the park with spectator
seating.
Add a small outdoor gathering space that
could host intimate arts performances.
Add an adult workout area and exercise
equipment.
Add a sand volleyball court in the field.
Consider upgrading restrooms.
TELLEFSON PARK
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 10
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Pinus pinea
Stone pine
Tipuana tipu
Tipu tree
Metrosideros excelsa
NZ Christmas tree
11 CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 207
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
COOMBS AVE.
COOMBS AVE.
FRANKLIN AVE.
FARRAGUT DR.
COOMBS AVE.
COOMBS AVE.
FRANKLIN AVE.
FARRAGUT DR.
COOMBS PARKETTE EXISTING CONDITION
COOMBS PARKETTE PROPOSED
Figure 216. Existing site plan of Coombs Parkette. It is primarily used by nearby residences. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 217. The proposed site plan for Coombs Parkette add more groundcover planting and an outdoor classroom. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 4
EXISTING FEATURE TREES
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Ulmus parvifolia
Chinese elm
Pinus pinea
Stone pine
Pinus pinea
Stone pine
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
5 208 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIESCOOMBS PARKETTE
4468 Coombs Ave., Culver City, CA 90230
COOMBS PARKETTE is a half-acre parkette/mini
park in Culver City’s Park West neighborhood.
It is located across Farragut Dr. from Farragut
Elementary School and is a few blocks from
Culver City Middle School and Culver City High
School. There are significant, large trees at this site, including Chinese elms and stone pines, bordering
a central lawn. Coombs Parkette is occasionally
reserved for events. It is typically used by nearby
residents for passive recreation and by students
waiting to be picked up after school.
AMENITIES
• Small grass rec. field: 1
• Hydr
ation station: 1
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• Community members ha
ve commented
that the park can be muddy and to replant a
groundcover that can tolerate the shade, to
add benches and tables for the students that
wait here to be picked up after school, and to
improve street crossings and walking paths to
connect to the school.
• Community members lik
e this as a passive
recreation space.
Figure 218. Coombs Parkette includes turf and trees. Source: OLIN, 2024.
PROPOSED
(In Progress) Add additional bench seating.
Plant shade-tolerant groundcover plant
species around the perimeter of the
parkette.
Add an ADA accessible decomposed granite
walking/jogging path around the perimeter
of the parkette.
Add a small passive outdoor gathering
space.
Investigate traffic visibility issues along
Franklin Ave. and Coombs Ave. and consider
adding additional crosswalks.
1 2
3 4
5 CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 209
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
0’
N
30’ 60’ 12 0 ’
HANNUM WAY
BUCKINGHAM PKWY.
HANNUM WAY
CAMBRIDGE WAY
CAMBRIDGE WAY
BUCKINGHAM PKWY.
PLAZA
PLAZA
PLAZA
PLAZA
FOX HILLS PARKETTE
EXISTING CONDITION
FOX HILLS PARKETTE
PROPOSED
Figure 219. Existing site plan of Fox Hills Parkette. Its area is linear and passively used by nearby residents. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 220. The proposed site plan for Fox Hills Parkette adds another dog park to the parks system. Source: OLIN, 2024. 1 2
3 EXISTING FEATURE TREES
EXAMPLE FEATURE TREES
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
Platanus racemosa
California sycamore
*Native species
Pinus canariensis
Canary Island pine
Liquidambar
styracilua
Liquidambar tree
Calocedrus decurrens
Incense Cedar
*Native species
Heteromeles
arbutifolia
Toyon
*Native species
210 DRAFT THE PL AN // SITE SC ALE
STORMWATER OPPORTUNITIES
Figure 221. A plaza at the Fox Hills Parkette includes seating and a feature tree. Source: OLIN, 2024.
FOX HILLS PARKETTE
1 2
3 PROPOSED
Add additional bench seating.
Install public artwork on the visible
streetcorner.
Create a dog park for Fox Hills.
Buckingham Pkwy. and Hannum Ave., Culver
City, CA 90230
FOX HILLS PARKETTE is a 0.8-acre parkette/mini
park serving the Fox Hills neighborhood. The
parkette includes a dense planting of pine trees,
several sycamore trees, and liquidambar trees.
There is a lawn for passive recreation, two small
plazas with seating, and decorative boulders. To
the south, the park has a hillside which slopes
down towards Cambridge Way. The Hannum Ave./
Buckingham Pkwy. Culver CityBus stop is located
in the northwest side of the parkette.
AMENITIES
• Small grass rec. field: 1
• Hydr
ation station: 1
• Street parking
SITE SPECIFIC PARK NEEDS
• PRCS staff ha
ve recommended that this
parkette could hold a piece of public art.
• Community members suggest
ed creating
a dog park for Fox Hills here.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 211
Figure 222. The Culver Skateb
Figure 223. The Culver City Skate park is at the base of the Baldwin Hills and is frequently in use by skaters of all ages.
Source: PRCS, 2024.
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SECTION III:
IMPLEMENTATION
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 213
Figure 224. Many residents use Culver City Park as a place to watch the sunset Here you can see the view looking across Duquesne Ave. Source: PRCS, 2024.
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The Parks Plan process helped bring a voice to
the needs of many community members in
Culver City. Requests for capital improvements,
programming improvements, and maintenance
enhancements were made during the process,
and each of these improvements requires
evaluation of current priorities, evaluation of the
costs to implement the changes, and funding for
the improvements.
Given the proposed changes, project
prioritization, smart budgeting, and identification
of funding sources or partnerships is critical to
the success of Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services (PRCS) and the ongoing success of all
Culver City parks. To achieve the community-
based goals of the Parks Plan, this section
includes information to help with budget
proposals, decision-making, and departmental
coordination.
PRIORITIZATION, COSTS,
AND FUNDING
7|
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 215
PRIORITIZING PROJECTS
This Parks Plan proposes significant improvements
for individual parks as well as system-wide
improvements for all of Culver City. Each of
these improvements is guided by the goals that
community members helped form through their
engagement with the Parks Plan, with PRCS, and
with other Culver City Departments and leaders.
When prioritizing park improvements across Culver
City, several factors can help decision makers align
investment with the Vision, Mission, and Goals of
the Parks Plan. This framework for prioritization
considers levels of historic investment, proximity
to the tracts identified in the General Plan 2045 as
equity focused neighborhoods, and parks pressure
and goals as identified through this Parks Plan
process.
This Parks Plan proposes
significant improvements for
individual parks as well as
system-wide improvements
for all of Culver City.
Park is in an area with historically lower investment
Park is in proximity to Equity Focus Neighborhood
Project increases services in parks with high pressure
Project helps achieve the Parks Plan Vision, Mission, and Goals Project aligns with available local, state, and federal funding mechanisms
MAKING DECISIONS
Factors that weigh into project prioritization...
Figure 225. When deciding on the prioritization of park projects, PRCS can reference these five factors. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Figure 226. Community members provide feedback on the parks plan at the Helms Bakery pop-up. Source: OLIN, 2024.
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MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
SB1000 DESIGNATION
SB1 000 Tract
SB1 000 Threshold Tract
EQUITY FOCUS
NEIGHBORHOODS
Figure 227. (Right Top) This map shows SB1000 priority neighborhoods as defined in the Culver City General Plan 2045. The General Plan uses this term to identify and refer to “disadvantaged communities” as defined by criteria in the California Health and Safety Code making these areas a focus for state and federal funding. Source: City of Culver City, California Public General Plan, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. 0 N
1/2 1 mile
PARK PRESSURE
MAP LEGEND
Culver City Boundary
PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
Culver City Parks
Los Angeles County Parks
State Parks
PARKS PRESSURE
(Acres per 1 000 residents in parkshed)
0 .10
1.0 1+ acres per 1 000
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Ballona Wetlands
Ecological Reserve
Culver City Park
1 3.59 Acres per 1 000
Syd Kronenthal Park
2.5 Acres per 1 000
Lindberg Park
1. 1 Acres per 1 000
Blanco Park
0.94 Acres per 1 000
El Marino Park
0.66 acres per 1 000
Fox Hills Park
1. 1 1 Acres per 1 000
Fox Hills Parkette
0.42 acres per 1 000
Blair Hills Park
2.63 Acres per 1 000
Tellefson Park
0. 1 5 Acres per 1 000
Coombs Parkette
0.89 Acres per 1 000
Culver West Alexander Park
0. 1 9 Acres per 1 000
Carlson Park
0.83 Acres per 1 000
Veterans Memorial Park
1.33 Acres per 1 000
Media Park
0. 1 9 Acres per 1 000
Baldwin Hills Scenic
Overlook State Park
8.3 Acres per 1 000
0 N
1/2 1 mile
Figure 228. Park pressure takes an overlay of population and parkshed to determine the acres of parkland per 1000 residents within the parkshed. Areas with less than 3.3 acres per 1,000 resident are defined as under “high pressure” based on LA County standards. Source:
Parksheds defined using walking distance along U.S. Census Bureau Tiger/Line Shapefiles, Roads, 2022; Population within parkshed derrived from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2021, 5-Year Estimates, 2021. OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 217
This Parks Plan proposes
a range of improvements.
Cost estimates for
each category of park
improvements will help
guide capital project
planning.
Understanding the costs for implementing the
changes proposed in this plan is important for
PRCS so funding can be aligned to priority efforts
in the coming years. It is anticipated that the capital improvements in this plan could be made over 10-
15 years, although it is unlikely that all projects can be funded in that timeline without a significant
funding source.
For many municipalities in Southern California,
including Culver City, costs for capital improvements
and operations and maintenance have risen
significantly in recent years. These increases are
partly due to overall increases in the cost of living,
the COVID-19 Pandemic, and competition for
construction or maintenance services. It is expected
that some of these trends will continue, causing
escalation and the need for the PRCS budget to
continue to grow.
Figure 229. Culver City Park provides a vista to view the setting sun across the west side of Los Angles County. Source: Culver City PRCS, 2023.
COST OPINION
218 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // PRIo RITIZA TIo N, C o S TS, ANd FUNd INg It is important to consider the proposed
improvements in three different categories:
• Site and Furnishing Impro
vements: These
improvements focus on enhancing the
current park sites and elements such as
playgrounds, sports courts and fields, park
pathways and ramps, roads within parks,
and planting understory and trees.
• Large Building Projects: T
hese
improvements include new facilities such
as the new cultural building at Veterans
Memorial Park, new community buildings,
new pools and associated locker rooms,
building renovations, restroom renovations,
pavilions, outdoor community spaces,
parking structures, and open space
improvements only possible through the
creation of parking structures.
• Storm
water Capture and Quality
Projects: These improvements encompass
stormwater BMP and regional capture
projects identified by the Department
of Public Works’ Stormwater Quality
Master Plan as well as other opportunities
outlined in each of the park concept design
plans in Part II of this document. These
improvements range in size and scale from
large underground storage tanks to smaller
surficial rain gardens depending on location
and nearby park features.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 219
Figure 230. (Above) Table of total costs, prorates, and contingencies for the Culver City Parks Plan.
Prorates and Contingencies %
General Contingency 10%
Design Contingency 30%
Escalation
5% annually
(average 2032 midpoint for
all projects)
Bonds / Insurance 2%
Contractors Fees 8%
Total Site and Furnishing
Improvements Costs $184 MIL
Total Large Building
Projects Costs $535 MIL
Stormwater Capture and
Quality Projects $93 MIL
Grand Total $812 MIL
There are economic benefits to investing in parks,
including the opportunity to provide significant
local hire and workforce development opportunities
for construction projects and management of new
facilities.
The cost estimate includes escalation based on the
midpoint year of construction, which is averaged
at 2032, is based on Culver City’s construction
procurement standard practices for general
conditions and other elements. Of the total for all
system-wide improvements, about $535 million
dollars would be allocated towards building
facilities improvements, including new construction
and renovation. Stormwater projects system-wide
would require around $93 million in funding, which
could be paired with other site improvements as
possible. Approximately $184 million would cover
the remaining park improvements, including sports
courts, paving, site furnishings, shade structures
and planting. These estimates do not include
allowances for design, surveys, and permitting costs
of each project as well as other soft costs that may
arise on a per project basis.
It is key to note that ongoing operations and
maintenance budgets continue to be critical for
maintaining the parks system. In fact, proactive
operations and maintenance can reduce life-cycle
costs of park amenities.
Figure 231. Lindberg Park currently has a playground that could be updated to prioritize accessible play. Source: OLIN, 2024. 220 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT
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COST CATEGORIES
Figure 232. (Above) Three categories of parks improvements are accounted for in the preliminary cost estimate for the Culver City parks system.
Playgrounds
Playground Shade Structures
Sports Courts and Fields
Paving Materials
New + Improved Pathways
New + Improved Roadways
Parking with Parks
Accessible Ramps
LED Lighting
Retaining Walls
Canopy Tree Planting
Understory Shrub Planting
Turf Improvements
Site Furnishings - Picnic Tables
+ Chairs, Drinking Fountains,
Bike Racks, Trash
+ Recycling Receptacles
Regional BMP Projects
Rain gardens + Biofiltration
LID Stormwater Capture
Projects
New Buildings
Building Renovations
Restroom Renovations
New Pools
Parking Structures +
Accompanying Open Space
Improvements
Picnic Pavilions
Outdoor Gathering Spaces +
Classrooms
SITE + FURNISHINGS
IMPROVEMENTS
STORMWATER
PROJECTS
LARGE BUILDING
PROJECTS
Components included in each category of the
Culver City Parks cost estimate
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 221
Significant collective effort with
local, county, state, and federal
levels is required to fund projects
and maintenance in the parks. The
following section details potential
funding resources for projects.
When developing a funding strategy for a parks
plan of this scale and extended timeline, it will be
important to realize steady and consistent sources
of funding. Federal and state funding opportunities
will change over time, so pursuing and tracking a
diversity of funding opportunities is important. In
addition, private fundraising can help fill gaps and
earned income to fund maintenance can make
the overall funding model for Culver City’s parks
more sustainable and consistent from year to year.
Local City Opportunities
Updated City Developer Fees
Culver City has an adopted ordinance that requires
developers to pay an in-lieu fee based on a density
factor per household type in their development.62
Both the unadopted 2009 Parks Plan as well as the
General Plan 2045 have stated implementation
recommendations to update this fee structure
to optimize fees for park use. This is under review
within the department of Advance Planning within
the city. In addition to this, the city is exploring
options to require a flat-rate-in-lieu fee for infill
residential development as well as future studies of
non-residential development parkland dedications
and fees.63
FUNDING
OPPORTUNITIES
City Parks Bond
Municipal bonds are a popular way in some cities
to fund park improvements over a semi-long-term
duration. Municipal bonds are frequently used for
capital improvements and the bonds are repaid
over time through increased taxes on the local
population. During the Parks Plan process some
residents expressed interest in a city parks bond
and others were very against any additional bonds
given the already-high tax rates in the city.
Stormwater Credit System
As noted in Section II, there may be opportunities
for Culver City Public Works and PRCS to
collaborate on implementing stormwater in lieu
fee and credit programs for a multi-beneficial
approach for both the city stormwater compliance
needs and efficiency with development project
implementation.
Stormwater credit and in lieu fee programs are
innovative approaches to providing funding
for capital and operations and maintenance
(O&M) costs of stormwater capture project
implementation. The concept for these programs
is to construct large scale, regional stormwater
capture projects that treat upstream new and
redevelopment projects. This eliminates the
need for individual development projects from
implementing onsite, smaller scale stormwater
BMPs.
222 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // PRIo RITIZA TIo N, C o S TS, ANd FUNd INg The order of operations of a stormwater credit
program and an in lieu fee program are slightly
different. A stormwater credit program starts with
the construction of a regional stormwater capture
system that is verified and operational. Developers
can then “purchase credits” from that system, where
that funding can go towards constructing more
projects or existing project O&M. Conversely, an
in-lieu fee program collects fees from developers
first, which then allows a jurisdiction to utilize those fees to construct and maintain projects.
Establishing either of these programs requires
long lead times, support from city leadership,
environmental organizations and the development
community. However, once established, these
programs could provide a dedicated source of
funding for both capital and O&M of stormwater
capture projects that may also benefit park areas.
Collaboration with Culver City Unified School
District
The recent school bond passed in Culver City offers
opportunities for the enhancement of school
properties in the city. As the School Board works
to make these improvements, it is important to
track opportunities where enhancements to the
schools will also provide park opportunities to
communities. For example, Blanco Park is a joint-
use facility that benefits the school and the local
community and is open to users at different times
of day depending on the school calendar. Other
enhancements to school campuses may generate
opportunities for enhancing the parks network of
the city.
Figure 233. A variety of funding mechanisms can be leveraged for proposed projects in the Culver City parks system.
Updated City Developer Fees
City Parks Bond
Stormwater Credit System
Collaboration with Culver City
Unified School District
Revenue Generation
LA County Measure W: Safe, Clean,
Water
LA County Measure A
LA County Measure M
State Climate Bond
State Conservancy Partnerships
Local Parks Grants Program, Arts in
California Parks
LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES LA COUNTY FUNDING
STATE FUNDING
FEDERAL FUNDING
Competitive Grants
NON-GOVERNMENTAL GRANTS
Naming Opportunities
Fundraising
PHILANTHROPIC DONATIONS
Reconnecting Communities Grants
Invasive and Noxious Plant
Management
WaterSMART: Environmental Water
Resources Projects
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 223
LA County Opportunities
LA County Measure W: Safe, Clean, Water
To help fund stormwater projects across the Los
Angeles County region, the Los Angeles County Safe
Clean Water Program Parcel Tax (Measure W) was
passed in the November 2018 election. The total
dedicated funding to the city for stormwater quality
work from these sources is approximately $2.75
million annually.64 Therefore, there are opportunities
for Culver City Public Works and PRCS to utilize
these funds to fund stormwater capture projects
in parks space.
LA County Measure A
In 2016, LA County passed the Safe, Clean
Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure. The
Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space
District (RPOSD) is responsible for implementing
and administering Measure A. RPOSD provides
grant awards and other support to agencies
throughout LA County.65 This funding can be helpful
for parks projects and can utilize the LA County
Technical Assistance (TAP) Program to access design
teams for completing projects.
LA County Measure M
In 2016, LA County passed Measure M, which
focuses on projects to ease traffic congestion,
repair streets and sidewalks, expand transportation,
and meet other needs for LA County Metro as
well as local jurisdictions. 66 This funding can be
helpful, particularly for enhancing access to parks,
particularly when close to Metro stops and trails,
such as the Metro Bike Trail near Syd Kronenthal
Park.
Figure 234. Culver City parks host a wide range of mature trees that provide ecosystem services and heat island reduction benefits across the city..Source: OLIN, 2023.
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State Funding Opportunities
State Climate Bond
In November 2024, the State of California passed
Proposition 4 which authorizes $10 billion for
environmental and climate projects. The bond
specifically sets aside 40% of the funding to
lower-income communities 67 and those most
vulnerable to climate change such as the Equity
Focused Communities (see Figure 227 on page
217.) A significant allocation of this funding
is for water security including water quality
improvement projects, flood reduction measures,
and river restoration. Overall $700 million is set
aside specifically for parks, including expanding
recreational areas and park construction and
renovation. Extreme heat protection and local
environmental projects addressing heat mitigation
make up approximately $450 million of the bond
measure dollars.68
State Conservancy Partnerships
The Baldwin Hills Conservancy is the State of
California Conservancy that helps steward parks
and open space lands in and around Culver
City. PRCS has a staff member that sits on the
Conservancy Board as well as an ex-officio member.
The conservancy owns significant parcels in
Culver City, particularly in the Inglewood Oil Field.
Many of these parcels will likely be parkland and
will benefit Culver City residents and residents
of other surrounding communities, which will
reduce park acreage needs and park pressure.
Additional opportunities for coordination between
PRCS and the Baldwin Hills Conservancy exist for
joint use, operational and maintenance shared
responsibilities, and capital funding for projects.
Local Parks Grants Program, Arts in California
Parks
Arts in California Parks is a program from California
State Parks to establish art installations and
programming in state and local parks as a catalyst
for community connection, health, well-being, or
placemaking by uniting art and nature. The Local
Parks Grants Program is anticipated to award
funding through three grant cycles in 2024, 2025,
and 202669.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 225
Federal Funding Opportunities
Reconnecting Communities Grants
The United States Department of Transportation
(USDOT) is making funding available to communities
that have experienced harm due to the constriction
of transportation corridors.70 An example of this in
Culver City would be the neighborhoods that were
impacted by the construction of I-405 on the west
side of the city. Parks and connective corridors in
this area of the city may be eligible for funding
through this program which is administered
through a competitive grants program.
Invasive and Noxious Plant Management
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management funds various
projects annually to support improved ecological
health and curb the expansion of noxious plant
species across public lands. This includes projects
that involve developing approaches to eradication
as well as implementation of strategies.71
WaterSMART: Environmental Water Resources
Projects
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation offers several
funding opportunities under the WaterSMART
initiative. This includes the Environmental
Water Resources Projects program which
prioritizes funding for projects that include water
conservation and efficiency elements which
result in quantifiable and sustained water savings
and benefit ecological values or watershed health;
water management or infrastructure improvements
to benefit ecological values or watershed health;
and watershed restoration projects benefiting
ecological values or watershed health that have
a nexus to water resources or water resources
management.72
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town
The NEA grants program supports arts and culture
based projects that center communities and equity.
Local governments are eligible to apply and may
request amounts up to $150,000 in matching funds
for projects.723
National Parks Service Outdoor Recreation
Legacy Partnership (ORLP)
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP)
program provides matching grants to cities for park
projects in underserved communities. These include
those with a population of 30,000 or more, and
those that have low access to parks and recreation
spaces and have significant populations of people
who are economically disadvantaged. Managed by
the National Park Service and funded through the
Land and Water Conservation Fund, the nationally
competitive ORLP program provides matching
grants (up to 50% of total project costs) to assist
communities with little to no access to outdoor
recreation opportunities in urban areas. Funds can
be used for the acquisition and/or development of,
or to substantially renovate public parks and other
outdoor recreation spaces.724
Non-Governmental Grants
Pursuing competitive grants will require positioning
the Parks Plan projects as innovative and regionally
significant. This can be challenging, particularly in
neighborhoods that already have advantageous
attributes.
Philanthropic Donations & Foundation Grants
Several non-profit organizations, businesses, and
individuals provide donations to parks, particularly
if an improvement relates to their mission
statement. For example, several major donors
to the arts have provided the lead donations
for significant arts facilities in LA County. These
donors may be interested in supporting the arts
and cultural features of the Parks Plan. Another
example is groups that provide funding for wildlife
conservation, such as the soon-to-be-completed
Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills.
Groups focused on conservation may be interested
in projects that are along Ballona Creek or in the
Baldwin Hills. A third purpose that might attract
family and corporate foundations is public health.
226 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // PRIo RITIZA TIo N, C o S TS, ANd FUNd INg Naming Opportunities
This Parks Plan proposes several new facilities
for recreation, arts, and education. Each of these
significant projects could provide opportunities for
donor naming. For example, if there is a new arts
building, it could be named in honor of a significant
donor. Typically for these types of opportunities,
PRCS would set a donation level that is associated
with a naming opportunity that is approved by the
City Council. A specific sponsorship and naming
rights plan could identify opportunities at each
park with associated funding levels. Such a plan
would necessarily need to balance opportunities
for revenue generation with the explicit desire to
avoid commercialization and over-identification
of elements.
Fundraising
PRCS could request a staff position focused on
fundraising through philanthropy. This position
would be focused on creating a database of
potential donors and meeting with donors to
demonstrate how projects would have a positive
impact on issues that matter to the donor.
Figure 235. Veterans Memorial park hosts the annual Fiesta La Ballona each year. The event is organized and run by PRCS. Source: OLIN, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 227
Perhaps even more critical than one-time or bond
funding is the development of on-going revenue
generation strategies that can support the parks in
perpetuity. Revenue generation is often one of the
most successful ways to fund ongoing operations
and maintenance since many local, state, and
federal initiatives only provide funding for capital
improvements.
Culver City’s parks can bolster economic
development goals without detracting from the
parks’ primary mission of providing open space
amenities to the community. To capitalize on these
opportunities, however, parks must remain free and
open to the public.
Culver City’s parks are already treasured amenities
for residents, workers, and regional visitors,
as well as a driver of economic development.
Continued successful operation of the parks can
be leveraged to grow food and beverage revenues
(including seasonal and permanent concessions),
sponsorships, and revenues from public and private
events. Many of the current fee structures for events
are not “market-rate,” and although certainly the
overarching goal is to provide an amenity for the
community that is not cost prohibitive, private
events should be cost-neutral for the city after
accounting for both staff time and impact on
facilities, which may require subsidies that could
be offset with additional revenues.
The feasibility of any potential revenue stream is
based on a high-level assessment of the barriers
that will impact each individual opportunity’s
viability:
• Commercial viability: is there a business
c
ase to be made for the profitability of any
individual revenue stream?
• Political: will the implementation o
f any
individual revenue stream be met with
political resistance that might render the
likelihood of inclusion more or less difficult?
• Community: will the implementation o
f
any individual revenue stream be met with
community or neighborhood resistance
that might render the likelihood of inclusion
more or less difficult?
• Contr
actual: are there existing rules,
regulations, and/or restrictions on city
contracting processes that might stand in
the way of execution?
REVENUE GENERATION
• Capital: are the actual dollar value c osts of
inclusion prohibitively expensive?
• Operational: is the management or
o
versight overly burdensome or too far
outside the scope of existing department
operations to render any specific item
unrealistic?
Despite the potential for additional revenues, it
is to be stressed that residents and visitors will
be sensitive to anything that feels like it is purely
commercial, rather than amenities being provided
for park users. Potential avenues for additional
revenue will continue to be developed with
community engagement to foster an inclusive
implementation process and reflect the needs of
the surrounding neighborhoods.
Rental Fees
Culver City already distinguishes between different
types of users (government and resident vs.
nonresident) and uses (nonprofit vs. commercial) for
space rentals for indoor rooms. Designated spaces
with parks PRCS aims to activate can be treated
similarly. The City might choose to reduce or waive
fees for nonprofit users holding events that are free
and open to the public, and distinguish those from
ticketed events and private events, which would be
charged fees. Establishing a nonprofit governance
and management partner for PRCS, as discussed
below, would create additional opportunities to
collect revenue from commercial, ticketed, and
private events. The nonprofit would enter into
revenue sharing agreements with the producers
of events on a case-by-case basis, with that revenue
received by the nonprofit required to be spent in
Culver City’s parks.
Food and Beverage
In crafting opportunities for food and beverage
partners, PRCS should take into account different
segments of a comprehensive, system-wide
food and beverage program that will need to
be combined in different permutations in order
to attract operators with a commercially viable
opportunity. These segments include:
• Permanent, year-round restaur
ants and
concessions
• Seasonal, fixed c
oncessions
• Mobile conc
essions
• Catering f
or private events in Culver City
Parks
• Event-relat
ed concessions at large events
special signage projects.76
228 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // PRIo RITIZA TIo N, C o S TS, ANd FUNd INg Figure 236. Public spaces within Culver City host events such as this musical performance “RENEWAL-Experiential Performance on The Culver Steps” at the Culver Steps. The event was ticketed but also included a free section. Source: OLIN, 2024.
For example, mobile concessions are often highly-
valued by park visitors for their convenience and
novelty, but are the least profitable segment of
a park food and beverage program. Combining
them with a permanent concession will create
operational efficiencies for an operator and likely
result in a larger pool of respondents.
Similar to rental fees, a nonprofit partner can help
develop food and beverage revenues. By delegating
procurement and leasing to a nonprofit, PRCS
would likely attract a wider pool of operators
because the process would more closely resemble
a traditional commercial negotiation to which they
are accustomed.
Sponsorships and Philanthropy
Corporate sponsorships and philanthropy are an
increasingly important revenue stream for parks
and parks systems across the United States. Culver
City has a major corporate presence, and many of its
corporate residents are logical sponsors for its parks.
However, PRCS is not currently positioned to
leverage the presence of these potential corporate
partners. PRCS should begin to develop sponsorable
assets, in alignment with the priorities of this
Parks Plan, that also appeal to potential corporate
partners. These might be capital improvements,
capital repairs, or events and/or programming. In
addition, PRCS will need to create clear guidelines
for the attribution of financial support and for
some sponsors, for the activation of sponsorships
during sponsored events and programs. Finally,
PRCS will need to partner with an agency or hire
staff to manage these agreements and ensure
sponsors adhere to its guidelines; this responsibility
could also be delegated to a nonprofit partner. In
addition, some sponsors will prefer to donate to
a nonprofit instead of a government agency, and
some corporate foundations will have restrictions
that permit them to only fund other nonprofit
organizations.
Updated Fee Program Study
In 2024, the City of Culver City embarked on a
comprehensive study examining the current fees
for rentals and for development park impact
fees in Culver City. The results of this study will
result in additional opportunities for park revenue
generation, as well as potential funding for future
parks and parkland acquisitions with further
development in the city.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 229
BUDGET AND STAFFING
Existing Staffing (Summer 2024)
At 85.4 acres and 35 full-time employees 75 the
Culver City Park system efficiently serves 40,640
residents of Culver City, thousands of day-time
employees of businesses, and residents from
adjacent communities. In addition to the 35 full-
time PRCS staff, approximately an additional 150
part-time staff are employed by Culver City PRCS
with the total number fluctuating throughout the
year.
The Culver City Park Maintenance team includes
a park maintenance supervisor and 13 parks
maintenance staff overseen by the Community
Services (RCS) Manager. They are assisted by an
arborist from Public Works and two landscape
contractors. Other maintenance responsibilities
covered by Public Works include all buildings within
the parks, irrigation water supply, and billing.
In addition to maintenance, another RCS
supervisor focuses on disability and social services.
This includes managing volunteers, marketing,
emergency preparedness, senior nutrition MOU,
and the Senior Center. Another RCS supervisor
focuses on special events and teen programming.
Finally, the fourth RCS supervisor focuses on youth
and adult sports, the Plunge Pool, film permits, and
Staffing Needs and Potential
The PRCS staff is efficient and collaborative.
Observations have demonstrated a deep desire
to support the community and listen intently to
residents and members of the PRCS Commission,
the City Council, and the Mayor.
The PRCS department is divided between six
divisions with the largest being the Parks Division.
It was proposed in the FY24/25 annual budget
to increase one staff member within the Parks
Division.77 With increased population projections,
staff needs will only increase and place more
demand on existing staff specifically on park
programming and operations and maintenance.
One difficulty for the department is the need for
less turnover at leadership levels. Often promotions
in the city result in individuals who do not stay in
the position of PRCS Director for very long. This
turnover is difficult for staff members and can
cause initiatives to lose momentum. There is a
need to help support long-term leadership in the
department.
Figure 237. PRCS staff help to answer questions from the community and conduct events such as Fiesta La Ballona. Source: OLIN, 2024. 230 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT
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// PRIo RITIZA
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Parks Budget
The Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services department operates recreational,
wellness, and park related services as well as
senior and social services each year which is
funded through budget allocations in the overall
Annual City Budget. In the spring of 2024, the
Annual City Budget presented to City Council
included a PRCS budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 24/25 of
$14,017,895. This represented a 9.9% increase from
the FY 23/24 adjusted budget of $12,750,686.78 Over
91% of Culver City PRCS budget comes from the
City General Fund with the remaining percentages
coming from grant-supported categories such
as the Cultural Trust Fund and the Community
Development Block Grant Operating Fund.79
Over the past ten years of Culver City annual budgets,
the PRCS budget has generally steadily increased
at around 5-10% per year, with the exception of
the period during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
FY 24/25 budget is the first year where monies are
allocated from the Cultural Trust Fund for PRCS. This
fund is proposed to cover over 8% of the annual
budget. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the
budget to reduce over 16% from over $11 million
in FY19/20 to $9.7 million in FY 20/21.80,81 Since that time period the budget has begun to rebound at
pre-pandemic rates. See the figure below for a line
graph showing the PRCS budget from 2015-2025.
There is a need for additional funding to meet the
goals of this Parks Plan. Chapter 7 includes more
information on funding opportunities.
Figure 238. PRCS’s Annual Operating Budget (2015/16 adjusted through 2024/25 proposed). Source: Culver City Budget Annual Budgets:
Adopted Budget FY 2015-16 through Proposed budget FY 2025/2025., Accessed May 30, 2024.
Figure 239. The Parks Plan team meets with PRCS staff. Source:
Geosyntec, 2024.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 231
Figure 240. Culver City Public Works employees maintain the Culver City Bike Path. Source: PRCS, 2024.
OPERATIONS AND
MAINTENANCE
Existing operations and maintenance in Culver
City is carried out by PRCS for areas owned and
operated by PRCS as well as other areas around
the city, such as the path along Ballona Creek.
The following areas are maintained by PRCS:
• Culver City Park
• Vet
erans Memorial Park
• Blair Hills Park
• Blanco Park
• Carlson Park
• Culver W
est Alexander Park
• El Marino Park
• Fox Hills Park
• Lindberg Park
• Syd Kronenthal Park
• Telle
fson Park
• Vet
erans Memorial Park
• Coombs Park
ette
• Fox Hills Park
ette
• Media Park
• Cougar Park
• Culver City Bik
e Path
• Ballona Creek Ac
cess Points and Bike Path
232 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // oPERATI o NS ANd mAINTENANCE Prior to significant capital
investments, it is critical
that additional funding for
general maintenance be
secured for PRCS.
The following elements within Culver City Parks are
maintained by Culver City Public Works:
• Recreation Buildings and Indoor Facilities
• Storm
water BMPs, including, but not limited
to underground storage, biofiltration areas,
and rain gardens
Existing Operations and
Maintenance
Prior to significant capital investments, it is critical that additional funding for general maintenance
be secured for PRCS. Community concerns were
raised during engagement meetings that if current
facilities aren’t maintained well, then additional
facilities should not be added.
Key operations and maintenance concerns include
the following:
• Irrigation sy
stems: Existing irrigation
systems are inefficient and not consistently
reviewed for performance due to staffing
shortages. This leads to conditions in turf
fields that create some soggy areas and
other areas that are extremely dry. Other
planting areas could be converted to
efficient drip irrigation systems.
• Electrical infr
astructure: Electrical
infrastructure needs to be reviewed and
replaced as necessary throughout the parks
systems. PRCS has already received quotes
for replacing the electrical equipment at
Culver City Park.
• Lighting: Lighting throughout the park
s
system can be replaced with energy efficient
LED fixtures, and shielded light fixtures can
be installed where park lights are close to
residential areas. This was especially noted
at Fox Hills Park.
• Soils and Erosion: Erosion, slope
stabiliz
ation, and uneven soil settlement
need to be addressed, especially at the
landfill site and previous oil derrick locations
in Culver City Park, and along the slopes at
Fox Hills Park.
• Urban Forest: T
he existing tree canopy is
maturing and many tree specimens are
reaching the end of their lifespans, creating
a heightened risk for falling branches or
trees. This was observed specifically with
many Chinese Elm trees throughout the
parks system. There is one contracted
arborist for the entirety of Culver City who
would benefit from additional staff support.
• Native Habitat Planting:
Shrubs and
understory plantings are not replaced
regularly enough as they fail or are replaced
with non native invasive species not suitable
for Culver City’s climate.
• Turf Fields:
Turf fields suffer from overuse
and poor irrigation systems and could
benefit from better performing turf species
and dedicated time for field regeneration.
• Storm
water Projects: Limited funding for
stormwater capture systems throughout
the city is currently a barrier for broader
stormwater project implementation for
both large and small stormwater capture
systems in parks.
• Drainage:
Adequate drainage is often a
concern throughout many of the parks,
whether in sports courts or in vegetated
areas. For example, the gutter and drain at
the base of the slope of Blair Hills Park is
often clogged.
• Play
grounds: Several playgrounds
throughout the system have aging and
run-down equipment, with play surfacing
wearing away. In spring 2024, the El
Marino playground was replaced, and
other opportunities for new and accessible
play equipment include the play areas at
Lindberg and Culver West Alexander Parks .
• Buildings: Man
y recreation buildings within
the parks system have not been renovated
since they have been constructed and are
in need of structure and energy upgrades
ranging from foundation improvements to
insulation upgrades and installing HVAC
systems. The building at Veterans Memorial
Park has been identified by the 2024
Feasibility Study to be too costly to renovate.
The study recommended the building be
replaced with new construction.
• Stor
age: Some areas within the parks and in
recreation buildings are underutilized, with
areas for both indoor and outdoor storage
not allowing for the best use of parkland for
public benefit.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 233
• de velop existing and future
needs list for operations and
maintenance based on initial
Parks Plan assessment.
• Streamline e
xisting o &m
contr
actors and contracts
to incorporate new park
improvements where possible,
such as with new rain garden
Bm P
s.
• Consider utilizing the cit
y’s
m easur
e CW tax to support
stormwater system o &m , r
ather
than capital costs, and pursue
m easur
e W funding, grants and
loans for capital costs.
• Evaluate curr
ent city, county,
and state programs for
alignment with parks needs.
• Evaluate non-pr
ofit and other
partner programs for alignment
with parks needs.
• Create a budget for on-going
daily
, monthly, and annual
maintenance with allowances for
capital improvements associated
with project service lives.
POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS FOR
EXPANDING O&M INCLUDE:
Expanding Operations and
Maintenance Staff
Sufficient funding and availability for staff for
the parks system is limited. The current staff is
stretched to capacity, and additional specialized
staff would be needed for park improvements such
as native planting areas, public art pieces, and new
programming. Currently the parks demonstrate
overstressed budgets and overstretched staff.
Innovative approaches to operations and
maintenance that exceed the current budget are
needed. New labor classifications and workforce
training will be required, particularly for biodiverse, native habitat areas. It is possible that these
positions could be coordinated with groups
through the state conservancy or LA County. These
positions could also be tied to the local workforce
development opportunities to build community
equity and education or other city programs for
local hire or student hire programs.
Potential Next Steps for Expanding O&M include:
• Dev
elop existing and future needs list for
operations and maintenance based on
initial Parks Plan assessment
• Streamline existing O&M c
ontractors
and contracts to incorporate new park
improvements where possible, such as with
new rain garden BMPs.
• Consider utilizing the city’s Measure CW tax
t
o support stormwater system O&M, rather
than capital costs, and pursue Measure W
funding, grants and loans for capital costs.
• Evaluat
e current city, county, and state
programs for alignment with parks needs.
• Evaluat
e non-profit and other partner
programs for alignment with parks needs.
• Create a budget f
or on-going daily, monthly,
and annual maintenance with allowances
for capital improvements associated with
project service lives.
234 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // oPERATI o NS ANd mAINTENANCE Figure 241. Culver City Park has many California upland native species along its hillside which are defined as significant ecological areas as defined by the County of Los Angeles. Source: OLIN, 2024.
Project Habitat Establishment,
Maintenance, and Monitoring
Capital projects in the Culver City parks system
will be required to include a minimum of three
years of habitat establishment, maintenance, and
monitoring with key habitat projects having a
minimum of ten years and a transition plan to
permanent management in place as part of the
construction contract. Long-term maintenance,
bio-technical surveys/monitoring, and annual
performance documentation is typically required
for habitat mitigation sites as specified in natural
resource agency permit conditions and in habitat
mitigation plans. Additionally, healthy soil biology
is the basis that will host a sound ecological system.
All existing soils should be tested to verify they
are free of contaminants and debris and have the
capacity to support adequate nutrients, drainage,
and structure for a given planting design.
Habitat establishment and native plant care will
require additional training for staff beyond basic or
traditional park maintenance training. Developing
a native plant care training program offers a great
opportunity to coordinate with local workforce
and youth internship education to develop skilled
gardener and restoration skills that support the
basin as well as community equity. This effort could
expand to support wider initiatives throughout
the city.
Qualified crews and staff can tailor maintenance
practices for the specific needs of a California native vegetation in order to help establish newly installed
habitats. For example, many California native upland
species are deciduous in the summer, and over-
watering during this time severely compromises
the plants’ survival. Planting in late fall through
winter allows species to benefit from seasonal rains
in their first year of growth.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 235
Non-Profit Partner Strategy
A primary concern that has been raised by members
of the community is the need for improved
maintenance and stewardship of park lands in
Culver City. Given the ever increasing pressures
on government agencies to design, build, and
maintain park and infrastructural landscapes,
it is recommended that a parks non-profit be
formed with the sole purpose of supporting the
physical landscape of the parks through ongoing
stewardship, fundraising, and investment. An
endowment and conservancy could work in
parallel with the PRCS budget to better support
the maintenance needed.
Conservancy and Non-Profit Precedents
There are successful examples of non-profits and
conservancies that support public parks and
municipalities with both capital improvements
and to support equitable park programming.
An example in Southern California is in Long
Beach where the Partners of Parks (POP) 501 (c)
(3) receives donations specifically designated for
park programming and community services.82 POP
was established in 1985 and is run by a board
of volunteers from across various neighborhoods
in the city to represent the different community
needs and priorities with special focus on youth,
seniors, and families who lack services or are
underrepresented. They hold regular fundraising
events as well as solicit funds from foundations,
corporations, associations, and individuals to
support their efforts throughout the city.
Another example of a successful partnership
between a municipal park system and a non-
profit is the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy which
was founded in 1996 with the focus of improving
physical conditions throughout the city’s park
system.83 Since its founding, the Parks Conservancy
has raised $145 million dollars and completed 23
major park improvement projects. In the 2022 fiscal
year they were funded just over 50% through grants
and donations but have a diverse portfolio that also
include program and rental fees through corporate
partnerships.84 They employ approximately 30 staff
members across horticulture, education, finance,
accounting, and administrative staff.
Other conservancies exist in the United States to
support specific parks and their missions in parallel
to public agencies.
It could be possible to form a non-profit in Culver
City supported by an endowment where the interest
from the endowment funds the conservancy staff,
capital projects, and maintenance.
Based on comparable models, it is recommended
that an initial investment be established to
create the endowment. Fundraising and revenue
generating programs by the conservancy can
continue to build this endowment.
Endowment investments historically return about
3-4% of the total value of the endowment to cover
expenses, or to bridge the gap between available
and required annual operating and maintenance
budgets. That 3-4% revenue spin-off needs to cover
management of the endowment and must take
into account the erosion of the purchasing power
of the endowment due to inflation. These calibrated
regular investments over time will direct what the
long-term size benchmarks for the endowment
will be.
It is recommended that an annual maintenance
budget as a percentage of the capital investment
be established. From this number, a recommended
initial investment for the endowment can be
established. In addition to the initial investment
and non-profit fundraising, as capital projects
are developed it could be possible to designate
a percent of each construction budget to go into
the non-profit.
236 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // oPERATI o NS ANd mAINTENANCE Figure 242. Non Governmental Organizations like Heal the Bay enlist community volunteers along the Ballona Creek and throughout the watershed. Source: Flickr user: Heal The Bay, Coastal Cleanup Month 2020. License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 237
Figure 243. The hiking ramp at Culver City Park traverses a steep slope. Source: PRCS, 2024. 238 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT
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Im PLEm ENT
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The Culver City Parks Plan will be carried forward
by Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community
Services (PRCS) department alongside their
implementation partners within and external to
the city. As a city-wide effort, the Parks Plan is built on the research, collaboration, and outreach of the
Culver City General Plan 2045, and pulls standards,
recommendations, and implementation actions
from various elements forward in more detail to
support the future of the parks system.
The implementation matrix in this chapter is a tool
to aid in implementation of the plan. It lists every
goal, action, and method and identifies for each the:
• Culver City Department Lead for each action
• Department or agency whose
responsibilities are most aligned with
the action.
• The city lead will tak
e responsibility
for implementing the action within
their jurisdiction and liaise with
partner agencies to help facilitate
implementation outside of their
jurisdiction where applicable.
• Potential Implementation Partner(s) f
or
each action:
• Other Culver City and outside entities
that ma
y spend significant time or
resources to aid in implementation.
• Time Frame Range f
or each Method
• Each method has an associated
estimat
ed time frame for
implementation. This is related to
many factors including, partners
involved, development and economic
trends, and personnel/availability. The
time frame could move up or back
depending on these factors.
• Related Gener al Plan 2045 Implementation
Actions where applicable
IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX8|
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 239
Action/Methods Estimated Timeline
General Plan
Implementation Actions
1.a Add parkland and parkland acces
s in areas with a focus on areas with park deficits and high park pressure.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS, Advance Planning
CCUSD, LA College, Baldwin Hills Conservancy, LA County Parks and Recreation, Economic Development
1.a.i Leverage underutilized areas within existing parkland and underutilized land currently owned by Culver City to increase space for recreation and community services.
Short Term (0-5 years) PR-1.4, PR-7.3
1.a.ii Engage in additional joint use agreements to make additional open space available to park users. Short Term (0-5 years)
1.a.iii Review, revise, and formalize, the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD)/Parks Recreation & Community Services (PRCS) memorandum of understanding for park space to increase joint use opportunities for Culver City residents of all ages.
Short Term (0-5 years)
1.a.iv Continue coordination with state and county entities such as the Baldwin Hills Conservancy and the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation for future opportunities for collaboration and joint use.
Mid Term (5-10 years)
1.a.v Acquire additional land and/or participate in land swaps to increase available parkland. Mid Term (5-10 years)
1.a.vi Require new neighborhood specific plans to incorporate a minimum of 10% or no less than 1 acre per 1000 persons planned for the development, whichever results in more park area, publicly accessible open space.
Mid-to-Long Term
(5-20 years)
PR-5.
1 1.b Increase ADA access and inclusive elements at parks.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS, Advance Planning
CCUSD, LA College, Baldwin Hills Conservancy, LA County Parks and Recreation, Cultural Affairs, Culver City Arts Foundation, Culver City Graphics Department
1.b.i Add ADA access areas and ADA compliant walking paths around park site elements. Short Term (0-5 years) PR-1.6
1.b.ii Add or update a minimum of three inclusive playgrounds within the city either in current parks or on opportunity sites.
Mid Term (5-10 years)
1.b.iii Provide consistent, clear wayfinding, regulatory, and interpretive signage in city parks, recreational facilities, and public facilities to create a cohesive visual identity for the city through the parks system.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
1.b.iv
Develop uniform signage, wayfinding, and environmental graphics guidelines for the city’s open spaces. Short Term (0-5 years)
1.b.v Create signature art gateways at entry thresholds throughout Culver City to build awareness of the city’s boundaries.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
1.c Continue to coor
dinate with other Culver City departments on active mobility strategies to make parks more accessible.
City Lead Potential Partners
Public Works PRCS
1.c.i Support city-wide efforts to increase pedestrian comfort and safety including shade, seating, and amenities on city park land.
Short Term (0-5 years) PR-1. 1 1
1.c.ii Support city-wide efforts to improve and promote bicycle use and safety on city park land including bicycle parking, integration with future bike paths, shade, and water fountains.
Mid-to-Long Term
(5-1 5 years)
PR-1.
1 1
1.d Continue to foster safe spaces for the community.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS Public Works
1.d.i Continue to coordinate within PRCS on safety measures and responsibilities of staff members within parks facilities and programming.
Short Term (0-5 years)
1.d.ii Incorporate increased tree canopy and/or shade structures as well as cooling elements into park design and renovation.
Mid Term (5-10 years) PR-2.5
1.d.iii Require adequate and consistent lighting in park spaces during operating hours. Mid Term (5-10 years) PR-2.4
1.d.iv Provide free public internet access at city parks, recreational facilities, and public facilities. Short Term (0-5 years) PR-2.3
1.e Enhance operations and maintenance of existing and future parks.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS Public Works, Advance Planning
1.e.i Assess parkland and facilities and update the LA County Park portal at minimum once per year. Short Term (0-5 years) PR-3.2
1.e.ii Continue to coordinate with Culver City Public Works to help ensure that PRCS facilities are audited in their Facility Master Plan.
Short Term (0-5 years) PR-3.2
1.e.iii During the design and planning of new and renovated parks, review and direct capital improvement investments into high quality and durable materials and facilities.
Mid Term (5-10 years) PR-3.3
1.e.iv During the design and planning of new and renovated parks, develop an operations and maintenance plan including vegetation, stormwater, hardscape, furnishing, and building maintenance at minimum.
Mid Term (5-10 years) PR-3. 1
1. PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PARKS AND PARK FACILITIES 240 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // Im PLEm ENT ATIo N mATRI x Action/Methods Estimated Timeline
General Plan
Implementation Actions
1.f In
vest in new facilities that meet current park needs.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS Public Works
1.f.i Incorporate visual art to existing and proposed parks spaces as well as construct one new performing arts space.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
PR-4.2
1.f.ii
Incorporate educational spaces such as outdoor classrooms and seating areas for use by PRCS camps, Culver City schools, and educational programs.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
PR-8
1.f.iii
Integrate one nature-play playground into PRCS parks that involves educational and interpretive elements with a focus on environmental learning.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
1.f.iv
Integrate one additional community center such as a community gym and aquatics center. Long Term (10-1 5 years)
1.f.v Add additional court spaces to meet the city’s growing demand for racket sports. Short Term (0-5 years)
1.f.vi Integrate an additional dog park into a PRCS park. Short Term (0-5 years) Action/Methods Estimated Timeline
General Plan
Implementation Actions
2.a Implement water demand management str
ategies within park space.
City Lead
Public Works, PRCS
2.a.i Regularly track water usage data at parks to inform any potential water line leaks for efficient water management at parks.
Short Term (0-5 years) INF-8
2.a.ii Implement smart irrigation controls such as soil moisture sensors or weather forecast controls. Short-to-Mid Term (0-10 years)
2.a.iii R emove ar
eas of non-essential turf to reduce water demands and comply with AB-1 572 by 2027. Short Term (0-5 years)
2.b Implement integrated stormwater management practices at existing and new parks following local stormwater permit requirements and in coordination with Public Works.
INF-5, INF-6
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS
City Council, Public Works, Advance Planning, Grant
Consultants, Environmental Programs and Operations
2.b.i For parks identified as regional stormwater capture opportunities in the City’s SWQMP, coordinate with Public Works to help implement those opportunities while routing on-site stormwater flows to these regional stormwater systems for efficient on-site stormwater management compliance.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
2.b.ii F or parks not identified as r
egional stormwater capture opportunities in the City’s SWQMP, follow the County of Los Angeles LID hierarchy for selecting on-site stormwater capture systems. Prioritize on-site stormwater retention through infiltration and harvest and use wherever feasible.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
2.b.iii Continue to design and implement pr eferr
ed stormwater capture BMPs (e.g. rain gardens) at parks facilities for effective implementation and maintenance.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
2.b.iv Incr ease installation of gut
ters along existing structures and rain barrels for passive use of captured rainwater for existing parks and facilities.
Short Term (0-5 years)
2.b.v Identify opportunities for signage, receptacles, and trash screens to keep park space, and the surrounding community and environment, free of trash.
Short Term (0-5 years)
2.b.vi Implement strategies to tie existing park space to Ballona Creek and educate park users and the community about the Ballona Creek watershed. For new park space consider locations near the creek to create opportunities for green infrastructure and patches for natural habitat.
Long Term (10-1 5 years) LU 1 7. 1
2.b.vii Coordinate with City leadership, multiple departments, and grant consultants on identifying optimal funding for regional stormwater capture capital projects. Consider utilizing Measure CW to address maintenance costs, while pursuing Measure W funding and state/federal grants listed in the City’s SWQMP for capital costs. For parks with more significant redesign needs, identify stormwater opportunities at these parks for increased likelihood of competitive and successful grant applications with multiple stormwater, recreation, and equity benefits.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
2. INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY INTO PARKS MANAGEMENT, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 241
Action/Methods Estimated Timeline
General Plan
Implementation Actions
2.c Identify oppor
tunities to go beyond adhering to minimum code requirements for enhanced sustainable design through water and energy efficient strategies, climate friendly construction materials, and community education.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS, Public Works CCUSD, Environmental Programs and Operations
2.c.i Identify opportunities for greywater or condensate reuse with existing and future parks projects. Greywater and condensate may be captured from buildings, and reused for irrigation or other non-potable demands.
Short-to-Mid Term (0-10
years)
INF-6, INF-7
2.c.ii Promote a circular economy by considering locally produced and/or recycled materials as part of park redesign; e.g. utilizing recycled tires for park playground surfaces; coal ash byproducts in lieu of concrete (fly ash used as a direct substitute for cement during the production of concrete); local reclaimed wood and recycled steel may be used in the construction of park benches, play structures, and other amenities. This helps reduce environmental impacts of transporting new materials and reduces waste byproducts.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
INF-1
.3
2.c.iii Update parks facilities with energy efficient fixtures and appliances and consider solar panels to help generate power for lighting, fountains, and other amenities. Motion sensors may be considered to be installed in restrooms and other facilities to help ensure that lights are only used when necessary, further conserving energy.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
INF-7
.3
2.c.iv Identify areas of urban heat island effects and align these with park lands to incorporate more trees, vegetation and other cooling features for enhanced community benefit.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
2.c.v Utiliz e parks space for incorpor
ation of public education on the importance of sustainable resource management and climate resiliency.
Short Term (0-5 years)
2.d Administer maintenance strategies to mitigate fire risk and climate issues in the Culver City’s very high fire severity zones, including the Blair Hills, Culver Crest, and Fox Hills neighborhoods as defined in the General Plan 2045.
S-7.9, S-7.10
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS, Public Works
Baldwin Hills Conservancy, LA County Parks and Recreation, Culver City Fire Department
2.d.i Implement seasonal pruning of shrubs and clearing of debris or dead plant material to reduce fuel load. Short Term (0-5 years)
2.d.ii Plant new native species with spacing as recommended by Cal Fire fire-smart landscaping practices. Short Term (0-5 years)
2.d.iii Create wildfire breaks in larger contiguous vegetated areas, which could include wide trails, roads, or shaded fuel breaks with no understory planting.
Short Term (0-5 years)
2.d.iv Reduce and remove invasive canopy and understory which can increase fire risk. Mature non-native invasive tree canopy species can be closely monitored and replaced with more suitable adapted or native species as they reach senescence.
Short Term (0-5 years)
2.d.v Limit recreational activities that pose fire risk, such as bonfires and BBQ cooking, during the height of fire season (typically during the driest late summer and fall months). These activities can also be sited in areas that pose the least risk for flammability of adjacent vegetation areas.
Short Term (0-5 years)
2. INTEGRATE SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY INTO PARKS MANAGEMENT, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION. (CONTINUED)
242 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // Im PLEm ENT ATIo N mATRI x
3. STRENGTHEN RECREATIONAL, ARTS, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES.
Action/Methods Estimated Timeline
General Plan
Implementation Actions
3.a Continue to pro
vide a range of programming throughout Culver City’s parks and expand opportunities.
City Lead
PRCS
3.a.i Continue engagement with community, park users, staff, and partners to ascertain additional programming wants and desires, as well as potential operating partners for individual programs.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.a.ii Identify additional community and commercial programming partners through existing programs, adjacent and nearby businesses, and programs proposed by potential operating partners.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.b Initiate amenities, arts, and programming hubs.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS
Culver City Arts Commission, Culver City Arts Foundation, Culver City Cultural Affairs
3.b.i Explore signature play features in suitable parks, such as Lindberg Park. Short-to-Mid Term (0-10 years)
3.b.ii Identify theme-based hubs, e.g. board games, comic books, entertainment, that complement existing neighborhoods and other cultural amenities.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.b.iii Support a new and expanded outdoor parks art collection that would contribute to an expanded cultural network in Culver City.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.b.iv Construct additional performance spaces throughout the parks system, with a focus on Veterans Memorial Park, Culver City Park, El Marino Park, Tellefson Park, Culver West Alexander Park, and Coombs Parkette.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
3.b.v
Add more arts programing and maker spaces to support ceramics, painting, drawing, textiles, photography and other art forms.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.c Explore alternative governance structures for management of programming to help ensure cost effective and responsive programming and activation appropriate to individual parks.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS City Council, City Attorney, Private Partners
3.c.i Explore public management under an expanded and/or re-organized staffing structure to maximize intra- staff collaboration and avoid overburdening any one organizational unit.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.c.ii Explore public management with friends group support to complement existing programs and provide for alternative fund-raising mechanisms focused on park programming and amenities.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.c.iii Explore joint operation between public management and private entities to maintain public supervision of more wide-ranging revenue development opportunities.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.c.iv Explore beginning a non-profit that expands both management and revenue development options within a mission-based purview that maintains public parks as free and open to the public.
Short Term (0-5 years)
3.d Assess market for expansion of food and beverage offerings.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS Local Food and Beverage Community, Economic Development
3.d.i Partner with local and regional chefs/restaurants for incubator concepts to provide a broad range of offerings to the public.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
3.d.ii
Generate additional revenue possibilities to provide increased operating funds to the parks system while growing local businesses. Examples include: Destination dining and beer gardens, event concessions, and private event and catering opportunities.
Mid Term (5-10 years)
3.e Assess market gaps for events and special opportunities.
City Lead
PRCS
3.e.i Deliver new experiences and opportunities for public and private events that may include fully free and accessible, ticket-based, and fully private events.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
3.e.ii
Explore opportunities for market-based fee structures that remain sensitive to local affordability and drive revenue where appropriate.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 243
Action/Methods Estimated Timeline
General Plan
Implementation Actions
4.a Promote connec
tivity, chronodiversity, and biodiversity of the tree canopy within Culver City Parks and the Culver City urban forest. PR 6.7 City Lead Potential Partners
Public Works, PRCS
Baldwin Hills Conservancy, LA County Parks and Recreation, CCUSD
4.a.i Plant native and climate adapted tree species to bolster the current urban tree canopy, and replace existing non-native or invasive tree specimens as they reach senescence. Planting should be in accordance with applicable current or future planting guidelines or ordinances.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
4.a.ii Incr ease th
e amount of small trees under 8” diameter at breast height (DBH) by a minimum of 20%, as recommended by the Culver City Urban Forest Master Plan, to achieve chronodiversity in the urban forest.
Short Term (0-5 years)
4.a.iii Create connected corridors of shade in Culver City Parks and the streetscapes leading to and between the parks and other public lands.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
4.a.iv Maintain and incr ease th
e number of trees and species of trees in Culver City Parks in order to increase the baseline tree canopy by 20% by 2045 in accordance with the 201 9 LA Countywide Our County Sustainability Plan. Additional tree planting should be prioritized in the following Culver City neighborhoods with the lowest tree canopy coverage: Lucerne/Higuera neighborhood of the Hayden Track, Clarkdale, Culver West, Washington Culver, Jefferson, McManus, Fox Hills, and the Blanco neighborhood.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
4.b Incr e
ase plant species biodiversity and habitat areas in Culver City, with a focus on native plants appropriate to the Ballona Creek Watershed and the LA Basin.
PR 6.8
City Lead Potential Partners
Public Works, PRCS LA County Parks and Recreation, US Army Corps.
4.b.i Replace turf grass in non-functional areas with native species substitutes to comply with AB-1 572 by 2027. Short Term (0-5 years)
4.b.ii Plant native and climate adapted understory shrubs and groundcovers to replace non-native existing species in accordance with applicable current or future planting guidelines or ordinances.
Short Term (0-5 years) C-2.5
4.b.iii Actively remove volunteer invasive plant species as defined by California Invasive Plant Council from habitat sensitive areas, utilizing best management practices. Prevent these species from being planted in new projects and construction.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
LU-16.
1 4.b.iv Utilize pollinator-friendly native species to promote biodiversity. Short Term (0-5 years) LU-16.4
4.b.v Install shielded low light temperature fixtures near sensitive habitat areas for wildlife. Short-to-Mid Term (0-10 years)
C-2.8
4.c Cr e
ate a network of ecological corridors and habitat patches from the parks system to adjacent regional ecological public lands.
City Lead Potential Partners
Public Works, PRCS
LA County Flood Control District, Baldwin Hills Conservancy, LA County Parks and Recreation
4.c.i Increase the amount of riparian tree species in and around the Ballona Creek to help create a continuous habitat corridor for bird species from Baldwin Hills to the estuary at Marina del Rey.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
C-6.8
4.c.ii Plant a continuous tr ee canopy along th
e main street corridors identified in the Urban Forest Master Plan where they connect to or cross park land. These corridors include Sepulveda Blvd south of Ballona Creek, Washington Blvd, and Jefferson Blvd north of Raintree Circle.
Short Term (0-5 years)
4.c.iii Augment the current fragmented, isolated swathes of coastal scrub and chaparral vegetation in parks and open space areas with layered planting. Use native species where possible in urban contexts adjacent to broader open lands to create habitat patch connections.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
LU-16.3 and C-2.6
4.c.iv
Collaborate with interested partner organizations, such as the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, to locate and implement critical habitat areas in areas such as the Baldwin Hills or Ballona Creek.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
LU-17
. 1
4.c.v Develop educational signage along with habitat improvements to build community awareness of regional ecological connections and critical habitat.
Short-to-Mid Term
(0-10 years)
C-3.4
4.d
Institute climate resilient and environmentally responsible monitoring and maintenance practices in the Culver City Parks system.
City Lead Potential Partners
Public Works, PRCS LA City College, CCUSD
4.d.i Train maintenance staff to work with native plants and ecosystems, collaborating with local organizations and educational institutions to provide this vocational training.
Short Term (0-5 years)
4.d.ii Follow best management practices in sediment and vegetation management for erosion control and runoff. Short Term (0-5 years)
4.d.iii Where applicable in future land acquisitions (such as the Inglewood Oil Field), implement remediation strategies to support native habitat and the development of functioning soil systems that improve moisture retention and plant health.
Long Term (10-1 5 years)
4.d.iv Reduce pesticide use as applicable and in accordance with Culver City and LA County guidelines. Short Term (0-5 years) C-2.3
4. PRESERVE AND ENHANCE NATURAL HABITATS BY SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM CONNECTIVITY.
244 DRAFT Im PLEm ENT ATIo N // Im PLEm ENT ATIo N mATRI x Action/Methods Estimated Timeline
General Plan
Implementation Actions
5.a Pursue local, state
, and federal funding opportunities for operations and maintenance as well as parkland acquisition, design, and construction.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS Non-Governmental Organizations, Public Works
5.a.i Partner with non-governmental organizations to identify further grant and partnership opportunities, as well as to provide programming support and partnerships.
Short Term (0-5 years)
5.a.ii Evaluate commercial businesses adjacent to or near public parks that can both provide additional programming partners and provide additional revenue sources through operating agreements within the parks.
Short Term (0-5 years)
5.a.iii Coordinate with the Public Works Department on identifying funding mechanisms for operations and maintenance of stormwater features at park facilities. Explore opportunities to repurpose Measure CW funds ($2 million annually) towards stormwater system maintenance, and pursue Measure W and grant funding for stormwater capital costs.
Short Term (0-5 years)
5.b Initiate a food and beverage operation within PRCS parks and facilities to generate a new source of revenue for the department.
City Lead Potential Partners
PRCS Local and Regional Businesses
5.b.i Further define parks and facilities that can support food and beverage operations. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.b.ii Retrofit or redesign existing facilities where appropriate. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.b.iii Create a staffing plan and hire new personnel within PRCS. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.b.iv Explore opportunities to partner with local and regional businesses to help bolster their growth and provide additional amenities for the community.
Short Term (0-5 years)
5.c Reduce staff turnover at high levels throughout the department.
City Lead
PRCS
5.c.i Conduct a survey of staff needs and satisfaction on a yearly basis. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.c.ii Create a plan for incorporating staff feedback. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.c.iii Identify overburdened and/or inadequately staffed sectors within the department. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.c.iv Evaluate if applicants are pursuing a senior position only for a short time period (for example, less than 1-2 years) and consider other applicants.
Short Term (0-5 years)
5.d Reduce long term operations and maintenance costs on city parks and facilities.
City Lead
PRCS, Public Works
5.d.i Create a sustainable maintenance plan for Culver City parks including existing and proposed parks. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.d.ii Audit third-party vendors for efficiency and cost effectiveness. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.d.iii Explore opportunities to add or minimize third-party vendors. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.d.iv Incorporate energy efficient technologies and equipment. Short Term (0-5 years)
5.d.v Incorporate solar and other renewable energy. Short-to-Mid Term (0-10 years)
5.d.vi
Use low-water landscape plants and reduce non-functional turf. Short-to-Mid Term (0-10 years)
5.d.vii
Incorporate stormwater capture and recycled water for irrigation where possible. Short-to-Mid Term (0-10 years)
5. INCREASE CAPITAL BUDGET FUNDING AND STAFF LONGEVITY.
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 245
Figure 244. A resident enjoys the view at Culver City Park which can be viewed from benches at the top of the slope. Source: PRCS, 2024. 246 DRAFT RESo URCES
SECTION IV:
RESOURCES
CULVER CITY PARKS PLAN DRAFT 247
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Hundreds of community Members interacted with the Parks Plan booth at Fiesta La Ballona. Source: OLIN, 2024. Found on Page 4
Figure 2. Within the Parks Plan, goals are supported by actions and methods, which break the goal down into implementable steps. Source: OLIN, 2024. Found on Page 5
Figure 3. City Hall is located at the heart of downtown Culver City. Source: Andrea Binz, 2021. Found on Page 6 Figure 4. Washington Boulevard crosses Culver City and has blooming jacarandas in the spring. Source: OLIN, 2024. Found on