Park Money Goes to Neighbor City

Rolling Hills will allocate $20,000 in grant funds available under the California Wildlife Coastal and Park Land Conservation Bond Act of 1988 to neighboring Rolling Hills Estates.

Rolling Hills, a private and gated community, cannot use the money because it may only be spent on public parks. The city agreed to allocate its share of the funds to Rolling Hills Estates because parks and recreation areas in that city benefit Rolling Hills residents.

Rolling Hills Estates officials have said they will use the funds to improve Ernie Howlett Park on Hawthorne Boulevard. The improvements will consist of picnic shade shelters, rebuilding of wooden steps, benches and tables for the tennis area, windscreens for the tennis courts, and bleachers for the tennis area.

At the suggestion of Councilwoman Gordana Swanson, the Rolling Hills council agreed to request that the city of Rolling Hills Estates next year consider using Rolling Hills money to improve and conserve natural park areas rather than concentrating on improving park facilities.