South Park -- Hermosa Beach Historical Society

South Park
History and photographs by Doris Beaman

South Park at 425 Valley Drive formerly housed South School which was built in 1923 and subsequently closed in 1978. The school property was sold in two parts. First the buildings, which fronted on Monterey and looked exactly like North School, were sold by the school district to a private developer who razed the property and then built condos. Later, in January 1992, the slope and playgrounds were purchased by the city for 2.34 million to use as a future neighborhood park. It wasn't until January 18, 1996, after much discussion regarding park use, that the 4.5 acre South Park opened.

The park has 2 small parking lots and entrances to the park on Valley Drive and at the end of Loma Dr. There is also a foot path entrance off of 4th St. The community center building on the west end currently houses an after school program. There are picnic areas and barbecue grills around the grassy area. Bathrooms are open during park hours. The park has a very small tot playground, a nice sized grassy field area and an enclosed roller hockey rink complete with a scoreboard and bleachers.

The hockey rink was co-funded ($40,000) by Team Rollerblade, a professional all-star hockey team. In return, the team was allowed to practice 2 hours each month and advertise on the wall panels. When first opened the rink was extremely popular and was in near constant use for hockey leagues, demon--strations, classes and tournaments. Currently the grassy area of the park is used mostly by moms with small children and adult soccer play. Until the rink was recently closed for repair it was used for hockey practice in the late afternoons and on weekends. Last fall (2008) the city of Hermosa Beach offered three roller hockey classes for 5 to 12 year olds.

Currently discussion is underway to upgrade the park. Everyone agrees that the playground equipment needs to be expanded and upgraded so all children may use it. Some would like to see the roller rink removed and universally accessible (wheelchair and other disability needs) equipment be installed in that area. Hockey enthusiasts wish the hockey rink to remain. Everyone pretty much agrees that upgrades need to be made so that more people will make use of this very nice neighborhood park.

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		South Park at 425 Valley Drive formerly housed South School which was built in 1923 and subsequently closed in 1978. The school property was sold in two parts. First the buildings, which fronted on Monterey and looked exactly like North School, were sold by the school district to a private developer who razed the property and then built condos. Later, in January 1992, the slope and playgrounds were purchased by the city for 2.34 million to use as a future neighborhood park. It wasn't until January 18, 1996, after much discussion regarding park use, that the 4.5 acre South Park opened.

The park has 2 small parking lots and entrances to the park on Valley Drive and at the end of Loma Dr. There is also a foot path entrance off of 4th St. The community center building on the west end currently houses an after school program. There are picnic areas and barbecue grills around the grassy area. Bathrooms are open during park hours. The park has a very small tot playground, a nice sized grassy field area and an enclosed roller hockey rink complete with a scoreboard and bleachers.

		The hockey rink was co-funded ($40,000) by Team Rollerblade, a professional all-star hockey team. In return, the team was allowed to practice 2 hours each month and advertise on the wall panels. When first opened the rink was extremely popular and was in near constant use for hockey leagues, demon--strations, classes and tournaments. Currently the grassy area of the park is used mostly by moms with small children and adult soccer play. Until the rink was recently closed for repair it was used for hockey practice in the late afternoons and on weekends. Last fall (2008) the city of Hermosa Beach offered three roller hockey classes for 5 to 12 year olds.

Currently discussion is underway to upgrade the park. Everyone agrees that the playground equipment needs to be expanded and upgraded so all children may use it. Some would like to see the roller rink removed and universally accessible (wheelchair and other disability needs) equipment be installed in that area. Hockey enthusiasts wish the hockey rink to remain. Everyone pretty much agrees that upgrades need to be made so that more people will make use of this very nice neighborhood park.