BLOG: My Plan for Roxbury Park

The has been a heated debate for some time. There have been many proposed plans and many more opinions. 

Without further ado, here are my plans for the future of Roxbury Park.

Let's start with the community center. Save the courtyard and keep it as original as possible. Update or replace the two center bathrooms. Replace every entry door into the center.

Since senior citizens seem to use the center more than any other age group (my opinion), very little needs to be done because they are comfortable with things the way they are. This is important because the Baby Boomers are becoming a part of the senior class and will for years to come.

If the center has to come down, then save parts of it and make it a part of the future center so it has as much of a look of the past as can be. The seniors and soon-to-be seniors make up an opinionated group that is largely against major changes to the center.

Update the office and eliminate the glass partition in the office. Go with cubicles, and a modern and open look in the front. Keep things open as it promotes a positive and open office atmosphere. This is important for young people and newcomers as Beverly Hills can be an intimidating place for those not accustomed to BH. We are, after all, a friendly city.

Renovation and not demolition is the answer here.

In back of the community center near the barbecue pits and picnic area would be a great place for a small movie theater.

I spent some time in Corpus Christi, TX, back in the early 1990s. They had a theater in their community center that ran movies that had been out for about a month and charged a significantly lower admission than the original price. This gave the kids an added and affordable attraction.

Of course, first-run movies can be shown, along with other films such as student films, local interest films, films done by residents and other films. A theater would open up a whole new source of fun, creativity and learning.

Next on my list are all the barbecue grills. Replace every one of them and line the bottom of each one with brick surroundings.

The two outside bathroom facilities must be replaced. They are both in very poor shape and the men's rooms are disgusting at best.

The basketball court needs new glass backboards. Repaving the court is an option.

Leave all grass areas and walkways alone. Nothing needs to be done to them. The same for the little league field. No changes are needed.

As for additional parking, the problem can be solved by putting a small parking area on the grass near Olympic Boulevard and about 100 or so feet behind the little league field.

Tall hedges could also be used along Olympic Boulevard to help block out the sights and sounds of traffic.

Minor updating of the tennis office is all that is needed there. Replace all outside benches.

This plan would keep most of the original park as we know it while having a feel of the past combined with a park that brings the future today.

I believe this plan would cost a fraction of the original plans that have been hotly debated and changed.

I also believe that Roxbury Park should be enjoyed by all of us for generations to come. I think the generations before us would agree.

Another idea that came to mind was to replace a cement walkway with a brick walkway that has bricks inscribed with the names of residents who donate to the park project.

Example...

Two hundred dollars gets your name on a brick (the exact amount can be debated). It would give people a chance to be a part of Roxbury Park history as they would be a visible part of the park while at the same time they would be helping with the cost of the park.

I am not an architect, but I am sure that one or more can draw a plan for the future of Roxbury Park based on these plans.

George Vreeland Hill