Planning and Community Outreach Process

The City staff and the Design Team began the planning, public outreach workshops and conceptual design process in July 2007. During this period we have been working with staff from the CCUSD, County Public Library and County Department of Public Works. Three community workshops were conducted by the Design Team. Notice advising of the project and the community workshop process was sent on July 17, 2007 to all property owners within a 300 + foot radius of the project site and the individuals who provided comments to the City Council at their December 2003 meeting regarding the Ballona Creek Focused Special Study. The workshop attendances averaged 19 people per workshop. The following is a brief description of what the workshops entailed:

Workshop One: Introduction to the Project and Issues/Assets Inventory
July 28, 2007 - Stone House in Lindberg Park

This workshop introduced the parameters of the project, provided an overall list of goals, and familiarized participants with the issues and assets related to this segment of Ballona Creek. During the workshop, participants were organized into small groups and walked through the project site. Disposable cameras were provided for groups to record both the elements that they wish to accentuate or improve and areas of concern. The groups reconvened and working with aerial photos of the site discussed what they experienced. 

Ballona Notice Letter (pdf)
Ballona Letter (pdf)
Workshop 1 Participant Team Comments (pdf)


Workshop Two: Issues/Assets Analysis and Design Solution Charrette
August 1, 2007 - Garden Room at Veterans Memorial Building

The second workshop further discussed the issues and assets related to the site and allowed for all participants to take part in addressing both elements. The pictures taken from the previous workshop’s orientation walk were distributed. The participants were then organized in groups to discuss what they saw as the most relevant and pertinent items. Through facilitation by the Design Team, the groups brainstormed solutions to address concerns. They also worked on ways to accentuate and improve existing assets on the site. The workshop provided a forum for all participants to voice their opinions and proactively work together to develop solutions. 

Design Considerations (pdf)
Design Inspiration (pdf)
Project Comment Cards (doc)
Survey Tally (doc)


Workshop Three: Design Refinement
August 29, 2007 - Garden Room in Veterans Memorial Building

At the final workshop the Design Team presented the preliminary conceptual design. They explained what elements were incorporated from previous workshops, both in addressing issues and enhancing assets of the site. A matrix of the comments received doing the first two workshops was presented. Workshop participants were again organized into groups to review the preliminary conceptual design and provide their comments and suggestions. The workshop participant feedback was intended to help refine the design to ensure that participants had an active and vocal role throughout the process in shaping both the planning and design of the project.

The participants in the third workshop voiced support for the overall conceptual design. However, there were some participants who voiced their concerns that the concept design did not include a rest area.

On September 11, 2007, City staff and the Design Team representative provided an introductory presentation to the CCUSD School Board of the August 29, 2007 preliminary conceptual plans. The School Board’s primary comments were in support of the project and the conceptual plans. However, the Board did raise concerns regarding maintenance and graffiti issues. 

Workshop Comments Matrix