Palisades Recreation Center Battles Roaches, Sewage

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

On Sunday, July 14, around 11:30 a.m., Palisades Recreation Center Director Erich Haas received a call from a staff member that the park’s sewage system had backed up and was overflowing the bathrooms and spreading into the office area.

Haas drove into the Palisades from Ranchos Palos Verdes on his day off to clean up the mess, describing a moment where he was on his hands and knees on the floor, using wipes to reach under desks to clear sewage.

The sewage backup is thought to be caused by roots growing into the pipes combined with feminine products becoming stuck, which is also causing sewage to bubble up in a four-by-four area near the upper fields.

Haas explained at the July 17 Pacific Palisades Park Advisory Board meeting that this is one of several issues the park is currently facing.

“Today I found out that there was a guy who came from the city and he said that we have a significant problem with insects, roaches, in the building,” Haas said. “I’ve even had staff tell me when they lock up, if they forget something in the office and come back and turn the light on, the floor moves when they scatter.”

In addition to roaches, Haas is also working with the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to replace windows that do not close all the way, allowing dust and debris to collect in the workspace, causing at least one staff member to have allergic reactions after spending time in the office.

“I’ve noticed that every time I’m there, I get a sore throat or I’m coughing,” Haas said.

There are some expenses Haas said he is willing to cover, including reconfiguring the office space because the staff is so crammed, but the windows he believes should be the responsibility of the city because it is a health issue.

“This should not be happening,” Haas said. “I’ve been asking for help, you cannot make me believe they don’t have the money to take care of this. It’s a safety issue.”

Haas has been working with Department of Recreation and Parks Commissioner Joe Halper, who Haas explained has come out to look and got a quote for replacing the windows.

PAB Chairman Mike Skinner suggested that the board write a letter to the city, which was being drafted and reviewed as the Palisadian-Post went to print. The letter will cover the issues Haas brought up, including adding air conditioning and a working heater to the office space.

“I’m just hoping we have a clean environment where my staff can work,” Haas shared.