BLUE FOLDER ITEM
Blue folder items are additional back up material to administrative reports and/or public comments received after the printing and distribution of the agenda packet for receive and file.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 2023
M.1 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE STATUS AND PRIORITIZATION
OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
• PER MAYOR BRAND'S REQUEST, POWERPOINT PRESENTATION FROM THE
SOUTH BAY PARKLAND CONSERVANCY
Wilderness Park
Summary
November 2023
Jim Light – President, SBPC
www.southbayparks.org
● Geological history: Highest and
eastern most coastal sand dune
● Tongva look out
Site History
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
● Geological history: Highest and eastern
most coastal sand dune
● Tongva look out
● Nike-Ajax missile radar site
Site History
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
● Geological history: Highest and eastern
most coastal sand dune
● Tongva look out
● Nike-Ajax missile radar site
●1971 Deeded to Redondo for public
park and recreation purposes “in
perpetuity”
●1977 Opened as Hopkins Wilderness
Park
Site History
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
• Over 100 trees planted
• 2 ponds with streams + wetlands
• 3 campsites ($5/adult; $3/child
overnight)
• Day camp
• Community Center with
interpretive displays
• Amphitheater
• Path lights
• Restrooms
• Staffed by Ranger + 3 full time
staff
Wilderness Park Opens in 1977
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
Slow degradation through the years
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
• Staff cut – no ranger, part time staff who do have little understanding of history, flora and fauna • Path lights removed
• Ponds and streams concreted in
• Lower pond punctured and filled in with dirt
• Invasive weeds dominate site
• Community center turned into private school – public interpretive displays removed • General infrastructure degradation - Repair only, no proactive maintenance • Remaining pond constantly green year round with algae • Hazardous conditions
• Camping cost $250 for first person – only larger groups can afford it Budget cuts, staff cuts, lack of prioritization have all contributed to degradation Degradation examples
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
Leadership Redondo 2008
Project – Waterwise
Garden
Lower pond
Degradation examples
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
Restrooms run
down, graffiti
Algae
uncontrollable
in pond
Drinking
fountain
falling
apart
Community
Center
beams
rotting
????????
Tree ID
Tag
broken–
No tree
anymore
Hazard examples
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
Metal rods on
popular
children’s path
down hill –
were there for
railroad tie
staircase that
was removed
Locked
emergency
exit
Restoration of plant life in work since 2017
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
November 2017 Today
Winter 2019 Today Typical weed pile
Todd Loewenstein
Species are returning after restoration work - examples
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
Western Bluebird Acmon and marine
blue butterfly
Variety of
dragonflies
●Master plan provides new vision for and revitalization of the park ○ integrates maintenance, habitat restoration, interpretive signs, and new amenities
Wilderness Park Master Plan in work with City S
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
Summary
S O U T H B A Y P A R K L A N D C O N S E R V A N C Y
● Wilderness Park has important historical significance ● Beloved, unique resource but has severely degraded over time ● Plant restoration efforts enjoyed by public, providing crucial habitat ● SBPC is coordinating Wilderness Park Master Plan
● Infrastructure and amenities need prioritization and funding ○ First reverse degradation of infrastructure
○ Funding for community center and ponds in CIP – need prioritization ○ Funding for enhancements
southbayparks.org
[email protected]
THANK YOU!