Community Support Helps City Projects

Despite facing tight budget constraints, the city has been looking forward to completing a number of community projects and events this year, including the community-funded Clark Field renovation, St. Patrick’s Day parade, and even changes to the Community Center.

These plans are underway largely due to the community’s kindness, said Mayor Peter Tucker in a press statement Monday.

For example, the Clark Field renovation is slated for completion this week because three anonymous donations, totaling $120,000, were made in support of the project, according to the city.

“We have been able to reduce the financial burden to the city because of the generosity and spirit of giving among Hermosa Beach residents and organizations,” Tucker said. 

“With the community’s contributions and the city’s success in winning grants, we’ve been able to make improvements we couldn’t have made otherwise and host popular local events that would have otherwise been cancelled,” he said.

From the local ball fields to some of Hermosa’s historic events, here is a rundown of the recent ways in which the community has stepped in to help the city:

Clark Field

The city will complete work on the renovation, which includes improving ball diamonds, dugouts, and fencing, this week, Tucker said Monday. Three donations, which were made anonymously, support the improvement project.

Many community groups and youth sports teams use Clark Field, including the last year: Hermosa Beach Little League and American Youth Soccer Organization.

Community Center

Resident support has helped maintain and improve facilities within the neighborhood building that sits on the corner of PCH and Pier Avenue.

Thelma Greenwald, owner of the Sea Sprite Motel, , which is located in the center. She sponsored $150,000 to the project last year.

Funding from the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club and Woman’s Club helped maintain the that sits outside of the center.

Leadership Hermosa worked with the Hermosa Beach Youth Basketball League to propose, organize, and support , which was completed in January.

The newest effort to improve the center comes from Project Touch, a local nonprofit that uses the center’s facilities to provide counseling to at-risk youth.

Project Touch Executive Director and Hermosa Beach resident Dorothy Forba-Hartley . She has already received funding from the rotary clubs in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach for the project.

Hermosa Fun

To help maintain the production of some community events that Hermosa is known for, the city has partnered with local businesses.

Saint Rocke willingly took over production for the on the beach last year, and has signed a five-year contract to oversee the event in the future.

The first-ever that brought white flurries to town in December was the mastermind of Spyder Surf and other downtown merchants. 

In an effort to further save the city money, the Chamber of Commerce will organize  on March 12.

"We can all continue to enjoy the benefits that come with living in the best little beach city," Tucker said.