Highlands Residents Embrace Their Park

About 500 members of the Palisades Drive Recreation Association enjoyed a Friday evening party at their popular pocket-park in the Highlands on August 13.   Admission was free to this second annual PDRA community gathering, which featured an In & Out Burger truck, a screening of the animated feature ‘Up,’ and plenty of room for kids to play and adults to visit.   The gated park, accessed by a small turnoff at 1950 Palisades Drive, is managed by the PDRA board, consisting of president Jeff Outcalt and members Dave Powers, Peter Culhane, Steven Abraham and Judith Harch.   According to Greg Schem, the PDRA’s first president back in 1998 and a key player in the park’s ultimate contruction, four homeowner associations comprise the PDRA: Palisades Hills, Vista Del Mar, Vista Catalina and the Summit.   After years of negotiations with the owners of the Highlands development, and then battles with a small group of dissenting neighbors who objected to having the three-acre property developed into an actual playground, playing field and picnic area that would attract a wide array of participants, the park was finally completed in 1994.   That year, the PDRA spent $100,000 to install a fenced play area (equipped with swings, a sandbox and climbing bars/apparatus) in a 50- by 60-ft. space, while also adding new benches, picnic tables and a walking path around the park.    ‘We now have a park that people of all ages enjoy every day, from morning to night,’ said Powers, who served as board president for many years. ‘Many families love to bring their children to play here, and there are wonderful views of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.’   Members are allowed to have their dogs off-lease twice a day’8 to 10 a.m. in the morning, 5 to 7 in the evenings (4-6 in winter).   ’We keep good control of the dogs,’ Powers said. ‘If there’s a serious problem, the dog is banned from the park. We’ve only had to do this about twice.’   Powers noted that various young athletes use the park’s grassy field for practicing soccer, baseball and lacrosse (which is gaining in popularity). ‘We’re now looking at putting in a teather-ball pole.’   He added, ‘Many families have had private parties at the park (which require reservations, with a $300 deposit to cover any clean-up costs). It’s great for birthdays and family reunions.’   All Highlands residents are eligible to join the PDRA. To do so, they must fill out an application form, which takes about three to four weeks to process. Contact: Debbie Lanford of DRL Management at (818) 712-9532. There’s a one-time recording fee of $350 and the monthly dues are $25. Membership is permanent and is added to the property title.