A new park serving East Malibu with 30 or so parking spaces, trails, a restored creek habitat and a small playground is in the works, theoretically.
But the practical aspects, including the construction of the park, to be located along Las Flores Canyon just north of Pacific Coast Highway, are still subject to funding that does not yet exist.
The City of Malibu commissioned a Las Flores Advisory Committee to provide input on behalf of the community as to the type, style, nature and location of the park. The new design does not include a community center, which was opposed by the neighboring community.
More importantly, the committee will also help the city obtain funding for the park development project.
The committee hopes to raise funds with a Chili Cook-off booth in the fall and privately through sponsors and service clubs.
At this point, the only expenditure approved by the city is for the design of the park. The council allocated $147,810 for that purpose recently but this amount will be amended because the allocation included the community center design as well.
“We’re trying to go with a natural setting, using what is already there,” said Paul Adams, Malibu Parks and Recreation director, as he presented the new design for the park at the first committee meeting on July 17 at City Hall.
The design elements for the park, bordering the creek at Las Flores Canyon Road and Rambla Pacifico, have changed from a recreational type facility to a more natural setting with an emphasis on creek restoration and native habitat.
Barbara Cameron, Malibu contract grant writer, said the new design might help the city obtain grants because of its focus on the restoration of the creek.
“We have had good support from Assemblymember Fran Pavley and Senator Sheila Kuehl,” said Cameron. “It’s also nice to have letters of support from nearby communities supporting the grant,” she added, indicating that La Costa homeowners are participating in the process.
Tim Maloney, of Community Works Design Group, the company hired to design the park, showed a drawing of the prospective park. The 27 to 30 new parking spaces would be located on Rambla Pacifico and a bridge would be built so pedestrians could cross over into the park.
The new design would also involve shifting the channel of the creek a little, softening the curve of the creek at a mid-point area of the long and narrow park.
“We’re trying to correct some of the flow problems,” said Maloney.
The design would help prevent flooding and filter runoff from the road. Water would be pulled off the street and pooled in five different sections of seasonal wetlands bordering Las Flores Canyon Road before it goes into the stream. This would involve grading a few sections of land throughout the park.
A vacated house that currently sits off Las Flores on part of the property that would be turned into the park, and which was initially considered to be used as a recreation center, would be demolished.
Instead, the new park facilities would include a self-contained restroom and a small children’s playground.
A possible connection to the beach is also under consideration.
“We are considering access because there is a vertical access easement, said Rick Morgan, city engineer. “But I don’t know that it’s feasible.” At this point, council has not directed staff on that matter, he said.
Time wise, Morgan said everything is off to a good start and he hopes the park’s designs will be completed by the end of this year.
The creek element is going to take the longest because it will require multiple special environmental permits from various agencies.
“The minute we get a plan completed we will get this permitting running,” said Morgan.
Other matters under consideration include materials used for park equipment and fencing, taking appearance and durability in mind.
Someone raised concerns about transient problems, suggesting that S-shaped benches should be used to discourage people from sleeping on the benches.
But Adams responded that a well-maintained and active area, like “the Bluffs” is not subject to these kinds of problems. “It’s when you allow a lot of growth that obscure an area and lack of maintenance, that attract them,” he said.
The community members who joined the park advisory committee so far are: Beth Lucas, Cheryl Kugel, Fred Niles, Holly Kinyon, Karin Al-Hardan, Margaret Smith and Paul Grisante.