The Recreation and Parks Commission reviewed its Work Plan Priorities for the upcoming 2026-27 year, as well as updates to the La Cienega Park playground and pickleball courts at its meeting this week.
Recreation Services Manager Michael Muse reviewed the priorities, which were voted on at the Feb. 24 meeting: safety call poles, recreation and parks branding and events at the Farmers’ Market, a golf simulator program, library tutoring program expansion and park lighting improvements.
Muse informed the commission that the five priorities were presented on April 30 at a City Council Liaison meeting, and three out of the five were chosen to move forward. The safety call poles were approved, although a question was raised as to whether existing resources could be used to enhance safety. Additionally, the Farmers’ Market branding and park lighting improvements were approved.
Safety call poles function as call stations that can summon emergency services at the touch of a button and are often colored bright blue. Commission Chair JR Dzubak explained his reasoning for preferring the safety call poles over suggested technology such as drone surveillance or security cameras placed throughout the park.
“Anyone from mid-50s to a senior can all find a pole, because we can put technology out there, but when it doesn’t work … finding that blue pole to be able to call for help, like you see at a university, I want to make sure that doesn’t get lost … The safety pole represents a lot more than just a camera.”
Assistant Director of Community Services Chris Paulson stated the City Council may be hesitant to approve the poles because of Beverly Hills’ Park Ranger program.
“They’re kind of the first line of defense that a 6-year-old up to a 99-year-old could go up to and let them know something is going on where they need support,” Paulson said. “Our Park Ranger program is the backbone for safety in our parks.”
“Someone coming into the city as a guest is not thinking about technology or Park Rangers. [The safety call pole] has a universal tone when it comes to safety,” Dzubak countered.
The golf simulator was not approved due to cost and the priority placed by the City Council Liaisons on projects that enhance public safety. The library tutoring program was also not approved because the library is outside of the Recreation and Parks Commission’s jurisdiction.
“The library is governed by the library board of trustees, which is the City Council,” Paulson said. “So, that’s why anything pertaining to library programming or operations would be the purview of the City Council.”
The next step will be for the City Council to vote on the Recreation and Park Commission Priorities for 2026-27.
The La Cienega Park playground is set to be completed at the beginning of August. The pickleball Playbypoint reservation system has been updated based on user feedback and will launch in June. A community celebration will take place in July to celebrate the end of the pilot program and allow community members to try out different pickleball and tennis equipment.
The commission also noted that nominations are open until June 5 for the Recreation and Parks Commission Award. Any person, organization or business can be nominated for their outstanding impact on the Beverly Hills community.
