PALMDALE – City of Palmdale, county, and state officials gathered Wednesday on the corner of Town Center Drive and 35th Street West to celebrate the groundbreaking of Rancho Vista Park.
Located next to Los Angeles County Fire Station #136 and Esperanza Elementary School, the new park will feature an inclusive playground with slides embedded into the hillside, kinetic wind sculpture and a meandering walking path with lighting. When completed, it will provide plenty of seating, such as group picnic areas, seat walls and small group tables adjacent to the playground. Also, quiet and reflective spaces with hillside tiered seating for story time, a wellness and meditation garden, and a restroom will be included.
The Rancho Vista Park project agreement was approved by the City Council at the November council meeting, with RSB Group Inc. selected for construction of the park in the amount of $2,923,043.
“I am personally excited to see this project get started,” said Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer. “It is an empty field today, but we look forward to coming back out to celebrate with the whole community once construction is completed.”
“The City of Palmdale, like all communities, has been dramatically affected by COVID-19 closures,” said District 2 Councilmember Richard Loa. “Having this groundbreaking today brings hope to us all that we will soon see our recreational services fully restored as we move out of this crisis. I am confident staff will work diligently with the contractor to stay on the proposed construction schedule, so that the residents can enjoy this soon.”
“I appreciate the Council’s vision and patience with this project which will add to Palmdale’s inventory of exceptional parks for people of all ages to enjoy,” said Palmdale City Manager J.J. Murphy. “Also, our Public Works and Parks and Recreation staffs really have done a remarkable job of creating a resource that everyone can be proud of. Together, we have continued to work hard and keep our City moving forward despite the challenges of COVID-19. Today demonstrates that continued commitment to the people of Palmdale.”
For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 661-267-5611.
[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]
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East Lancaster says
Really? You are fighting over east side gets this west side gets that? Try living in Rexville. We all get the same thing. We get hosed. Money wasted on pet projects like the eye in the sky. Have you driven on the streets? Have you seen all the panhandlers? Crime is all over the place. All the good stores are in Palmdale.
You are all spoiled.
Sarcy Sardonic says
And if Rex or any other sitting councilmember tries to mitigate the “panhandling” issue, people like you are the first ones to bytch anc complain about it. So, do us all a favor and sit down and shut up!
Homeless says
Rex’s suggestion to carry guns and shoot the homeless if they try to rob you is not a good one. We had a nice shelter in Lancaster but after taking money from the county, Rex shut it down. We could have had a 1400 bed shelter on Ave I with access to services but Rex chose to give a no bid project for a new facility that had a fraction of the beds. People like me will not complain about good solutions to problems and we will not sit down or shut up until we get some decent leadership.
Smitty says
The people in West Palmdale, Rancho Vista and Anaverde are almost all homeowners who pay a lot of taxes to live in those communities. I think it’s perfectly fine to have the city reinvest and give them something in return.
Jeff says
This park was planned in 2000 – my kids are all adults now. Thanks Palmdale for finally pulling the trigger.
Crossroads says
What about East Palmdale,you guy’s Don’t build Crap. The Westside gets all the Money! East Palmdale can’t Even get a stinky side walk….. What a Shame
Cynic says
Right, because the city totally did not just build a new park on 47th and Ave S in recent time. Because Ave S was totally not recently widened and repaved between 30th and 45th. Because Pearblossom Hwy was totally not fixed recently.
Me says
Dont forget about the water park on east side. West side doesnt have one
Honesty says
Lies. The water park is on the east side, Pearblossom Highway got re-paved, Avenue S is being redone. Courson Park, etc.
The West Side doesn’t “get all of the money” but that’s where most of Palmdale’s actual, non-social service consuming taxpayers live.
If the East Side wants nicer things, then quit living like pigs, clean up your hoods, pick up your trash and litter and maybe you’ll get a better class of people who will want to join you over there.
OKFine says
So what is it that the residents of the East side of Palmdale need/want/desire? What would make your day?
I hear this complaint from time to time about the East side of town feels neglected, so specifically what is lacking? Marie Kerr park is quite nice, new equipment for the kiddies was just installed, is this sort of thing missing on some East side park?
Tina says
Like the other poster said, if people on the east side want things to get better then they need to put their big boy/big girl pants on start acting right, start cleaning up their homes, their streets, their neighborhoods etc. Quit tagging, illegally dumping your trash and shoplifting and being a knucklehead! If and when they do, they will find that the area will grow more desirable, values will rise and better stores and services will follow.
You can’t be on social assistance, park your car on your dead lawn/dirt patch, blasting loud music and throwing trash out your car window into parking lots, dump trash on side streets, graffiti walls and common areas thenand expect other people to find that attractive. It’s gross!
And when hard-working people move to the Antelope Valley and bring their money with them, they know that the east side is a lousy investment, so they don’t bother. And nothing changes!
Listen up, east side, you want things to get better? Then look in the mirror and make some changes!
Beecee says
Amen!
No Eastside Pocket Park says
3 Million for this very small pocket park is a waste of money, somebody must have been strong armed into supporting this small neighborhood.
OKFine says
Mayor Pro Tem Laura Bettencourt actually came to the West side of Palmdale for this groundbreaking? I thought she was against any sort of development on the West side.
Oh My, she must be getting ready to run for something else.