Lawndale

Two weeks after authorizing submission of a proposal to operate the county’s Alondra Regional Park, the City Council has reversed itself because it would cost too much money to operate the facility on the same level as other city parks. The county wants to lease the eight-acre park--just east of Lawndale on Redondo Beach Boulevard--to an outside operator, who would have complete responsibility for operation, maintenance and repair of facilities.

Although the county would reimburse maintenance costs under a lease agreement, Lloyd R. Long, city leisure and social services director, said the county wants “bare bones” maintenance at Alondra. “We do not feel that this type of maintenance program would complement the other areas in Lawndale’s park system,” Long said in a staff report to the council.

Long said the city would have to spend $545,490 during the first year to rehabilitate and operate the park to city standards and would lose $38,000 during that year on recreational programs because of staff costs. He said it is city policy to offer programs free or at minimal costs.

The park is located between the county golf course, which is not being leased, and El Camino College.