Dear Este and Arus Grigoryan,
I am writing on behalf of many concerned parents in the Pacific Palisades community regarding the recently constructed playground at the Palisades Recreation Center. While we are grateful for the investment in this vital public space, the project appears to have moved forward without meaningful community collaboration-particularly from the families who rely on this park daily.

The Palisades Rec Center is a central gathering place where children of all ages come to play and where families build community. Unfortunately, the new playground design falls short in several important ways:
1. Elimination of Play Opportunities for Ages 6-12
The new equipment is almost exclusively suited for toddlers and preschoolers, with minimal features that serve children over age six. This leaves a substantial portion of our young residents without engaging,
age-appropriate play options-effectively eliminating recreational space for school-aged children. A more inclusive design could better support a broader age range and foster inter-age interaction.
2. Inappropriate Theme Given Recent Trauma
The fire-fighting/first responder theme is troubling in light of the traumatic wildfire that devastated our community on January 7. Many children witnessed the flames, smoke, and evacuations firsthand. Rather
than providing a joyful space for healing, this theme risks reinforcing those traumatic memories for both children and families still recovering.
3. Lack of Natural Materials and Environmental Awareness
Natural play elements-such as wood, rocks, and plants-not only inspire imaginative and sensory-rich play, but also promote environmental stewardship. Instead, the current design relies heavily on synthetic materials, which feels particularly tone-deaf given recent fire-related air quality concerns and heightened sensitivity around toxins and chemicals.
4. Disregard for Previously Shared Community Designs
On July 17, 2024 (Section 8.1.5), three alternative playground concepts were presented to the Pacific Palisades Community Council. These designs reflected thoughtful input and enthusiasm from local families.
That collaborative process was ultimately discarded-without public explanation-in favor of a design that had never been presented to or discussed with the community.

Moreover, as documented in the attached article, the decision was made not to seek additional community feedback once the new theme and equipment were selected. The rationale given was that "if parents have
not weighed in before, to do so now would delay the project," and it was explicitly stated that "not a lot of discussion was needed about the gift of a new playground." This deliberate choice to bypass community
input-especially after the trauma of the January fire and amid heightened concern over children's wellbeing-represents a troubling disregard for public process and transparency.

I have attached the original community-supported renderings, which better reflect the values and priorities of
our neighborhood.
5. Health & Safety Concerns at the Current Site
Constructing a playground in the center of an active burn zone-before Phase 2 cleanup is complete-raises serious safety concerns. Has air quality and soil testing been completed? Are there plans for ongoing
decontamination? Without clear answers, families are understandably hesitant to allow their children to play in an area that may still pose health risks.
Request for Immediate Action
We respectfully request that:
- The current playground installation be paused and the equipment returned;
- The ribbon-cutting ceremony be postponed;
- A new, inclusive planning process be initiated-one that meaningfully involves the Palisades community and prioritizes age-appropriate design, environmental sensitivity, and emotional safety.

This space has the potential to be a lasting, intergenerational gathering place-but only if it is built with care, transparency, and community partnership.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Kelly Sullivan, Lisa Perez, and Aimee Cilic