CC SR 20211116 K - Ladera Linda Name
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 11/16/2021
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to review the official name of Ladera Linda Community
Center.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Affirm retaining Ladera Linda Community Center as the official name.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: NA
Additional Appropriation: NA
Account Number(s): NA
ORIGINATED BY: Matt Waters, Senior Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Cory Linder, Recreation and Parks Director
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. 1989 Parks Master Plan Excerpt (A-1)
B. January 21, 1982 PV News Article (B-1)
BACKGROUND:
Ladera Linda Elementary School operated at the site from the mid-1960s to its closure in
1980. The site was subsequently acquired from the the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified
School District by the City and dedicated as a City park in 1982.
Since its dedication on January 1982, the site has been referred to by a varie ty of names
including Ladera Linda, Ladera Linda Park, Ladera Linda Community Park, Ladera Linda
Community Center and Park, and LL. Recent staff reports related to the pending
development have referred to the project as the Ladera Linda Community Center and
Park project, which emphasizes both the building and park grounds.
On October 19, 2021, during a City Council discussion of the Ladera Linda Community
Center and Park Project, Councilmember Dyda asked for clarification about the official
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name of Ladera Linda. While different names have been used interchangeably throughout
its existence, Ladera Linda Community Center is the name used on a 1982 dedication
plaque, the City’s General Plan, the 1989 Parks Master Plan, and a 1982 PV News article
on the opening of the park.
Dedication Plaque
The name Ladera Linda Community Center is etched on a bronze plaque that is mounted
to a large stone in the grass area on site (see photo below). The plaque states that
Ladera Linda Community Center was dedicated on January 23, 1982. Mayor Jacki
Bacharach, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Ryan, Councilmembers Ken Dyda, Barbara Hein, and
Ann Shaw are listed on the plaque along with City Manager Donald F. Galuzzy.
Plaque at Ladera Linda Community Center: Dedicated January 23, 1982
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Exterior of park showing rock with dedication plaque
The plaque is not attached to a building which implies that the name applies to the overall
site, including the park grounds and buildings.
The 2018 RPV General Plan Section VIII Land Use Element
The City’s General Plan which was updated and adopted in 2018 contains a list of 18 City
public parks, including Ladera Linda Community Center in Section VIII: Land Use
Element. Excerpt below:
City Parks. The City has the following 18 public parks, improved with trails,
benches, play equipment, dog park, and other amenities:
• Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
• Marilyn Ryan Sunset Point Park
• Clovercliff Park
• Martingale Trailhead Park
• Del Cerro Park
• Pelican Cove Park
• Eastview Park
• Point Vicente Interpretive Center
• Founders Park
• Point Vicente Park/Civic Center
• Frank A. Vanderlip Park
• Rancho Caninos Dog Park
• Fred Hesse, Jr. Community Park
• Rancho Palos Verdes Beach
• Grandview Park
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• Robert E. Ryan Community Park
• Ladera Linda Community Center (emphasis added)
• Vista Catalina Park
Parks Master Plan:
The original 1989 Parks Master Plan park inventory refers to the site as the “Ladera Linda
Community Center”. The description refers to both the park grounds and the buildings.
An excerpt of the 1989 Master Plan is attached (Attachment A). However, the 2015
Updated Parks Master Plan refers to the site as either “Ladera Linda Park” or simply
“Ladera Linda.”
Contemporaneous Coverage of Park Dedication
A January 21, 1982 Palos Verdes Peninsual News story covered the January 23, 1982
dedication of the 11 acre-site site, referring to the newest City park as the Ladera Linda
Community Center (Attachment B).
CONCLUSION:
While the site has been referred to by a variety of names during its history, the 1989 Parks
Master Plan, the current General Plan , contemporaneous news coverage of the park’s
dedication, and an official dedication plaque all use the name Ladera Linda Community
Center. Staff is recommending that City Council retain and affirm Ladera Linda
Community Center as the official name.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for
the City Council’s consideration:
1. Identify a preferred new name, such as Ladera Linda Community Park or Ladera
Linda Park (as noted in the 2015 Parks Master Plan), and direct staff to update
City documents accordingly.
2. Take other action, as deemed appropriate.
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LADERA LINDA COMMUNITY CENTER
Ladera Linda Community Center
is located at 32201 Forrestal Drive.
This former elementary school is
designated an Active/Community
Park. The property was purchased
from the Palos Verdes Peninsula
Unified School District after much
community involvement and input.
Payment for the site included a
trade of the Lama Del Mar School
Site previously purchased by the
City and cash paid over a three
year period. Purchase was com-
pleted in fiscal year 1985-86.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
11 acres Size:·
Orientation: Northwest-south east
Slopes:
Access:
Vegetation:
Views:
Utilities:
Stepped areas
Frontage and access on Forrestal Drive
Landscaped
Excellent views of the cliff face, hillsides, coastline,
and ocean.
Available
EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS (1989): Classrooms, playground, restrooms,
parking lot, paddle tennis courts, par course, bas-
ketball courts, soccer and softball fields. Some of
the property is leased for commercial satellite dish
antennae and telephone
-36-A-1
OWNER:
CONSTRAINTS:
ACQUISITION COST:
Ladera Linda Community Center is the home
of the "Discovery Room". This unique area
features live and static exhibits of local flora,
fauna and historic information. A cooperative
program with the Los Angeles County Museum
of history provides for special, 'on-loan'
exhbits from their extensive collection.
Staff and volunteers provide educational pro-
grams on-site and in local hills and canyons for ·
a large variety of school and youth groups.
City of Rancho Palos Verdes
Existing development
$730,000
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES:
Classification: C Improve the middle and upper parking lots as
needed. Regrade and pave the access road
between the lower and middle parking lots.
-37-A-2
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