A Long Time Coming: Ladera Linda Community Center Opens By Writer and Contributor Amy Bergant
Image credits: City of Rancho Palos Verdes
After many years of planning and construction, the new Ladera Linda Community Center and Park in Rancho Palos Verdes had its ribbon cutting and official opening ceremony on Friday, February 23rd, 2024. Held by the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, and attended by city staff, the Mayor, current and former City Council members, Parks and Recreation employees, and local residents, the event consisted of tours of the new building and grounds, with appetizers served in a space that spotlighted the view that makes the center so special.
Boy Scout Troop 955 opened the ceremony with a flag salute, and then City Manager, Ara Mihranian, welcomed the attendees to the event with a heartwarming speech. “I am so overwhelmed at this moment, with so many emotions. As I drove here to this site, and pulling into the parking lot and seeing all of you enjoying this new park; this is all about you, its for you, and you should be very proud of this new facility that represents the community of Rancho Palos Verdes and what it stands for”. He welcomed many people back to Ladera Linda, some of whom attended the Elementary School while it was open from 1966-1982. Mayor John Cruikshank spoke of the history of Ladera Linda and the city’s plan to turn the location, overlooking Catalina Island, into a community park and center all could enjoy. “William Penn once said, ‘The best recreation is to do good’, and just looking around at this beautiful park, I think we’ve done that”. The process was a long one. Mayor Cruikshank remarked that the Center and Park happened to open, “Exactly 42 years and one month”, after the old Ladera Linda Park opened in 1982. Planning began in 2014. Much research and thought went into the project, from the grounds, playgrounds, the various rooms within the center building, to security and noise concerns. In March 2022, demolition began on the old classrooms that had outlived their usefulness and the process of making plans a reality began.
The celebratory day was marked with some sadness and concern, with everyone aware of the recent land movement issues and the indefinite closing of the historic Wayfarers Chapel. City Council members and City Staff are hopeful the state will be able to assist in mitigating damage. Mayor Pro Tem Eric Alegria said, “As they say. ‘After the storm, comes the sun’, and we recognize in light of the crisis around us, that today is just one sunny day, hopefully for many, many more to come in front of us”. Council Members Dave Bradley and Barbara Ferraro also spoke to express their gratitude for all those involved in making the Community Center a reality, and former City Council Members Susan Brooks and Jerry Duhovic were on hand as well. The City Manager ended his speech by repeating a slogan on the walls of the Parks and Recreation Department, ‘Parks Make Life Better’. “They are what make creativity and imagination. They do, for all ages. So I want you to do me a favor as you walk around this afternoon: I want you to embrace the sounds of all ages, the happiness, the joy, the things that make life great. And remember that is the dream that we are living here, in Rancho Palos Verdes”.
The evening concluded with a ribbon cutting ceremony and champagne toast, but it was just the beginning. The new Ladera Linda Community Park features a 6,790-square-foot community center designed by Culver City-based architecture firm Johnson Favaro. The building includes a dividable multi-purpose room, classrooms, a staff office, a warming kitchen, and a meeting room that also serves as a “discovery room” with exhibits of local flora, fauna, and historic information. The site also includes patio areas, basketball and paddle tennis courts, a children’s playground, tiered outdoor seating, a lawn area, and walking paths.
The Ladera Linda Community Center and Park is now officially open at 32201 Forrestal Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes,7 days a week, from 6am to 9pm.
Amy (Barber) Bergant grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes. She attended the University of Southern California, getting her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from The Annenberg School for Journalism, where she was also a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She currently lives in South Redondo Beach with her husband of almost 25 years, twin 14 year old daughters, and their 2 cats, George and Henry. When not chauffering her kids around, she enjoys hanging out with friends, eating good food, listening to great music, watching ridiculous television shows and going to the beach.