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PARKS 
Basic park regulations:
City Parks HILLTOP PARK Hilltop Park, 2351 Dawson, 3.2 acres, elevation 335'. Hilltop Park has unique artwork and spectacular 360° views. There are two covered picnic shelters available to rent, two uncovered picnic tables, and two bbqs. Weddings are allowed by PERMIT ONLY, dawn to dusk, with a maximum attendance of 75. Application must be completed at least ten business days prior to event date. Restrooms on site are available 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Contact the Community Services Department (526) 989-7330 for more information. History of Hilltop Park Dedicated: February 6, 1999 What was once a hill devoid of vegetation but full of oil wells is now the home of Signal Hill’s premier Hilltop Park. This 3.2-acre park has magnificent views of the Pacific coastline from Huntington Beach, across Long Beach to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Catalina Island is visible many days of the year, as well as downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood sign and the Santa Monica Mountains. Designed by Jon Cicchetti, landscape architect of Long Beach, the park incorporates the early history of the hill through the craftsman style architecture and stone walls of past hilltop mansions in the construction of the viewing wall, picnic shelters and restroom building. The Park was funded by Developer Impact Fees at a cost of $414,000 and completes another part of the City’s Park Master Plan designed by Signal Hill residents. The park sits atop a 1.2 million-gallon water reservoir. Water Reservoir A long-term goal became a reality with the dedication of the Hilltop Reservoir. The highest of three reservoirs serving the City of Signal Hill, this reservoir and pump station is beneath Hilltop Park. The 1.2 million-gallon tank is 100 feet in diameter and has a water depth of 21.5 feet. The best way to invision the size of the tank is to walk from semi-circular wall to wall at the viewing area of the park – that is roughly the diameter of the reservoir. The reservoir and pump station design began in 1995 by Robert Bein, William Frost and Associates of Irvine, and was built by Schuler Engineering Corporation of Upland beginning in February of 1997. The Hilltop Reservoir is one of two new reservoirs built to serve the residents of Signal Hill. The other reservoir is 1.3 million gallons and is located on Temple Avenue. Both of these water reservoirs were funded through a $10 million bond approved in November of 1996. Costs for constructing the two reservoir projects total $6.5 million (Hilltop $2.6 and Temple $3.9) with remaining costs for pipeline construction, engineering and design costs. With the completion of these reservoirs the City of Signal Hill has provided water storage capacity to handle not only its current residents and businesses but also future growth. Art Piece The team of Jon Cicchetti, T.W. Weir and Craig Stone created the City’s second public art piece commissioned in 1998. The art piece is comprised of several components which symbolize aspects of Signal Hill’s past and present. Three freestanding walls with windows frame three of the most spectacular views from the park – Huntington Beach surf, downtown Long Beach and the Queen Mary, and downtown Los Angeles – creating an “outdoor gallery”. Informational panels located on each side of the windows explain what the viewer is seeing. The center mist tower sends a cloud-like water mist each hour, which is reminiscent of the Indian smoke signals believed to have been used to communicate with tribes on Palos Verdes and Catalina. The mist tower is surrounded by a rock which appears to have crashed and embedded itself into the earth creating a ripple in the ground as shown by an etched treatment to the concrete, grass squiggles and other border treatments to give the impression of motion. The tower emanating from within the rock also symbolizes the historical oil gushing from the earth with the top translating into water from the underground reservoir bursting forth with mist. Millennial Brick Project is through the Friends of Signal Hill Library.    SIGNAL HILL PARK Signal Hill Park, 1780 E Hill Street, ten acres, NEW playground, restrooms available 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., four sheltered picnic tables (two available to rent), five mini-shelters, four picnic tables, BBQs. Amphitheatre, two basketball courts with lights, and ball wall. Jumpers/Bounce houses are allowed in park by PERMIT ONLY. Application must be received at least ten business days prior to event date. Call (562) 989-7330 for more information.     RESERVOIR PARK Reservoir Park, 3315 Gundry Avenue, play equipment, one covered shelter over two picnic tables, 4.7 million-gallon water reservoir, 2.7 acres, large open grass area, restrooms open 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Jumpers/Bounce hourses are allowed in park by PERMIT ONLY. Permits must be completed at least ten business days in advance of event date. Please contact Community Services at (562) 989-7330 for more information.    UNITY MONUMENTThe Unity Monument resides near the intersection of Temple Avenue and Skyline Drive. On September 8, 2002, with the Community's generous support, a sculptural monument was dedicated up on the hilltop of Signal Hill, California, to commemorate the end of a year of national sorrow. This monument stands as a symbol of our renewed and strengthened Unity and Brotherhood, forged from the destructive acts meant to tear our nation apart. Local artist Patrick Vogel designed the sculpture to be formed from six different metals - stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper, copper-nickel and nickel. The blending of these metals will represent the various racial, cultural, ethnic and religious groups of our nation - all joined together as Americans. The seemingly random shape exemplifies the unlimited possibilities that this unity inspires. The twelve-foot sculpture sits atop a four-foot pedestal within a seating courtyard. The selected site, at the intersection of Temple Avenue and Skyline Drive on the steep eastern slope of Signal Hill provides great views of the Southland. This location is also a part of the existing walking trails enjoyed by our residents and many hikers from the surrounding communities. The sculpture will be illuminated at night and will be visible from the busy 405 freeway. UNITY MONUMENT September 11, 2001, now deemed Patriot Day, occurred five years ago and will forever live in our memories. It is a day to reflect upon the great loss which occurred that morning. On behalf of the residents flowers placed at the base of the Unity Monument and American flags will be flown adjacent to the monument. People are encouraged to take a moment out of their day to visit the monument to pause and reflect and to utilize the Unity Monument to think through the images of that day. The Unity Monument is located at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Temple Avenue on the northwest side of Discovery Well Park. SUNSET VIEW PARK Sunset View Park, 2300 Skyline Drive. Enjoy the view and catch a sunset. Located on the southwest corner of Skyline Drive and Hill Street, this distinctive viewing park is designed to utilize the direct western exposure. The architect for the park, Urban Arena, created a unique art piece where visitors can stroll across an inlaid design featuring the planets orbit around the sun. The columns are set up as a solar calendar to mark the spring and fall equinox and the summer and winter solstices: on these particular days the setting sun will shine through vertical channels strategically placed on the outer columns to cast a shadow on the main column.    TEMPLE VIEW POINT Temple Viewpoint, 2271 Temple Avenue, spectacular views to the south and east, benches, 1.38 million-gallon water reservoir. DISCOVERY WELL PARK Discovery Well Park, 2200 Temple, located at Temple Avenue and Hill Street. This park is 4.9 acres (1.78 flat)with a small community center (Dining 35/Theatre style 50), playground, basketball half court, and two picnic shelters. Signal Hill residents may reserve the Community Center, picnic shelter, and space for a gas-generated jumper. Applications must be submitted at least TEN business days prior to event date. For reservations contact Community Services (562) 989-7330. DISCOVERY WELL PARK HISTORY For centuries, the hill, which is now called Signal Hill, provided spectacular views of the Los Angeles and Orange County basin. Prior to the discovery of oil, the land was mostly open hilly terrain with a few small houses and a sweeping view of the surrounding area. The first discovery of oil in Signal Hill by the Royal Dutch Shell Company, at the corner of Temple and Hill Street in 1924, had statewide significance and is still the site of active oil production. This resulted in the construction of the oil pumper at the corner, where the historical plaque is located and after which the Discovery Well Park is named. The original plaque was installed in 1976, with the current historic marker placed November 2, 1998. The site is often frequented by young students, scouts and others who are interested in learning about a significant period of southern California’s development. The site became the catalyst for more drilling and oil discovery with little attention to the ongoing effects of oil or chemical spillage. Once the oil rush was over, the quickly constructed oil roadways became easy access areas for dumping. Some of the rubble and debris left from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake was buried in this area. In 1995 a developer, Alamitos Land Company, eyeing the potential for view homes wanted favorable consideration on a large project. Their choice was to provide land in lieu of paying the Park and Recreation Impact fee of $2,368,000 for the project, and to build certain park facilities knowing it would make their project more marketable. In 1997 preliminary plans began on the design of the park. This resulted in a 4.7 acre view park and buildings being built on one of the most valuable pieces of view property on the hill. The intent in the planning process of Discovery Well Park was for the park to be open to the views, to serve as a destination or a place to pass through on the way to other areas on the hill, to celebrate the history of oil, to provide as many active and passive recreational experiences as possible and be stately but easy to maintain. The early use of the land created some difficult challenges. Soil remediation was a key factor since the citizens wanted more open turf area rather than hardscape. The slope of the park was laden with brick, concrete and rock from the earthquake leaving the need to stabilize and provide an effective plan for drainage and plant growth. The design intent of the park was to highlight the site’s intrinsic qualities, views and oil history. In designing the park, there were two vantage points: the first by the entrance which is 50 feet above the main park area. Here the vast view and the entrance of the park needed to make a statement thus a seating area was incorporated into the entry monument so walkers could rest and partake in the view. In the center of the viewing area a historical panel was placed which highlights the founding of oil at the site, a set of lighted flag poles were erected and a City Logo shaped gate was fabricated to frame the entry into the park. Environmentally the park serves as a destination point or rest stop within a generous array of urban trails tracing the hill. It is accessible to 200 adjacent homes without the need of a vehicle via several internal trails designed in the housing development. It also serves as an example of reclamation of blighted urban industrial land and couples as a standard for coexistence with active oil production. The main park surface was designed so the more active elements were adjacent to the steep slope. This allowed placement of larger shrubbery and trees adjacent to provide shade and a sense of scale to the park without blocking the views from the top view patio or the turf area below. The building and shade structures are reminiscent of the 1900 Craftsman’s mansions, which once dotted the hill. The design features of the historic block walls were incorporated into the picnic shelters, building shade pillars and the entry patio seating wall. With the history of oil being a prominent theme of the park, a tile artist was hired to create art pieces for the meeting room and restrooms. These tiles were designed based on historical photographs from the City’s archives. Connecting all park elements with a loop trail serves to integrate the functional needs and establish curvilinear design forms as the basis of the park site plan. The park provides users the following elements: Benches and decorative stone seat wall Covered and uncovered picnic tables with BBQ’S Looped trail within the park and connections to other trail systems Restrooms and drinking fountains On-site and street parking Public art areas Open turf area that is “flat”, a rarity in this hillside A community building for meetings, classes and rentals Amphitheater for small performances or discussions Basketball Ball Wall Playground Circular path for tricycles, scooters, skates and walking View enhancement Historical references Discovery Well Park opened to the public on September 27, 2003. The community has come to support and appreciate the difference this park development has made by enhancing property values, adding art into the view sheds, infusing color and variety of planting along the public access areas, preserving and enhancing views, requiring and enhancing public access and trail connections, and adding historical perspective to the setting. Support in the development of this particular park has provided some strong partners such as the Sierra Club, the Friends of Signal Hill Cultural Arts and the Historical Society.    HILLBROOK PARK Hillbrook Park, 1865 Temple Avenue, play equipment, one covered picnic table, five tables, four bbqs,brook(7 a.m. - 9 p.m.), .5 acres. Hillbrook Park History From its inception, Hillbrook Park was designed to fit a community need, integrated with recreational facilities for the neighborhood’s population. The intent to develop the park as a community facility was accomplished through joint efforts between the City of Signal Hill and the people in the community themselves. Hillbrook Park was dedicated November 15, 1986. The .5-acre park located at 1865 Temple Avenue is one of the earlier parks to be built in Signal Hill. It is a neighborhood “pocket park.” Hillbrook received the 1986 California Parks and Recreation Society’s Environmental Planning Award. It is a representation of professional designers, governmental agencies, and community members who participated in planning a park to meet neighborhood and environmental needs. The half acre park is handicapped accessible and consists of a cascading stream and pond designed for aquatic plants and animal life, picnic and barbecue facilities, and natural areas. The park represents an extensive community effort, serves residing age groups, and fulfills a vital link in the overall city Park Master Plan. The need for the park was determined in 1970 when the city adopted its Parks and Recreation Master Plan. In developing the city’s park requirements, three factors were taken into consideration. 1. State and National Standards. 2. Existing topographical conditions (average slope of the city reduces available land). 3. Existing standards for neighboring communities. Community involvement played a vital role in the park’s development process. Several workshops and meetings were held with civic leaders, community, fire and police organizations. Many factors were discussed and addressed including vandalism, night use, noise, restrooms, lighting etc. Following general acceptance of the program, several schematic design alternatives were reviewed through additional public meetings. Little land was available and hence a more elaborate schematic development plan was selected. Following the schematic phase, final design development plans were presented and approved by the city council. Community involvement did not end with the planning and development stages but continued after the park opening. Community meetings have helped Neighborhood Watch groups and assisted the staff in developing user guidelines. The park’s proximity to a major traffic artery, “The Pacific Coast Highway” and its existing high transient use has raised issues concerning public safety and potential vandalism. Special design features include. 1. The natural six percent grade permitted an opportunity for a cascading stream. 2. The sound of the stream reduces the interference of nearby traffic noise. 3. Gentle mounding permits ease of visual access by security. 4. Plants were selected based on the nature of the soil and desired effects. 5. Hillbrook Park is located in the south easterly portion of the city. The area is surrounded by apartments predominantly made up of young families. Prior to development of the park, few opportunities for recreation were provided for the nearby child. Major streets and highways prevented this portion of the city from easy access to other recreational areas. Utilization of site to its best advantage, functionalities, preservation, or enhancement of natural features; adaption of otherwise unusable land for park purposes. 1. The sloping to paving from north to south, this facilitates opportunities for a cascading stream while allowing the pond to lay east to west providing the most visual display of aquatic plant/animals, for the park user. 2. The stream begins at the north end adjacent to the only natural existing tree. This was to enforce the feeling the stream originated off site. 3. The park design maintains existing ocean views. Hillbrook Park is boarded by two secondary streets; Wall Street and Temple Avenue each provide adequate street parking. For a mini-park it is difficult to provide adequate active and passive areas, as space is simply not available. In Hillbrook Park, the following elements were provided to help reinforce passive and active separation. 1. Quiet areas were located contiguous to the apartments, thus allowing the apartment owners more tranquility. Active areas are located toward the center of the park. 2. Traffic circulation closest to the park in the west alley is protected by damage resistant walls including a shrub and ground cover buffer. Consideration of human element in the design. The park is designed to permit full accessibility to the handicapped. Handrails, sinks, drinking fountain all carefully conform to standards including C.A.C. title 24 and Consumer Product Safety Commission Guidelines. Other design elements include secluded areas to provide an opportunity for relaxing. The park uses a variety of senses: sight, sound (water), smell (plants), and touch, and the opportunity for neighborhood interaction of the elderly and young. Use of colors, textures, and shapes were used extensively in Hillbrook Park: the plant material with fine textures and light colors to increase a sense of scale and the large boulders and light colors maximize stream effects. The stream widens out at the bends and narrows at the rock clusters to enforce a natural appearance. Opposite material colors were selected to provide maximum contrasts. Creative and unusual features. The park allows the inner city child to experience a natural rural playful setting. The park’s aquatic plant and animal life provides a contact learning tool for teachers and parents. Effective use of materials, plant materials. Materials with long life, texture, and color contrast, play a vital role in the aesthetic ambience of the park. A barrier wall adjacent to the alley reduces danger. Rocks set for ease of sitting allow the park user to closely experience the stream. White river rock and high fired brick provide durable landscape elements. Consideration of maintenance and operation expenses, including vandal resistance features. Hillbrook Park has many features which minimize maintenance and operation efforts, a few items include: • High traffic ground cover adjacent to stream and rock areas where it would be difficult to mow. • Equipment room with ease of service for stream equipment, electrical panels, and maintenance equipment. • Stream equipment is located for easy access; the bio-filter is easily reversed to remove debris directly into the city sewer system. • Trees were planted with root barriers and arbor guards Careful planning was designed to provide optimum use and energy efficiency. The pond’s solar orientation of east to west allows full visibility of aquatic plants and encourages maximum growth. The use of deciduous trees adjacent to picnic tables and benches encourages seasonal use. Energy efficient pumps, high pressure sodium, photo cells, and clocks, respect electrical conservation. In 2006, improvements have been made to the park which include the installation of rubberized matting in the play area and replacement of aged park signage.   RAYMOND ARBOR PARK Raymond Arbor Park Raymond Arbor Park was dedicated March 15, 2003. Come by and enjoy the serenity. Features of this park include an arbor, decorative fencing, a fountain, picnic table and benches, and playground equipment set on rubberized surface for handicapped accessibility.    CALBRISAS PARK Located in the heart of the revitalized Las Brisas Neighborhood, the park was dedicated January 8, 2005. Amenities: two playgrounds, reduced sized basketball court, three picnic tables with bbqs (one is handicapped accessible) and open field.    PANORAMA PROMENADE    A lighted, paved Walking Trail along the northern rim of the hill, linking Hilltop Park to Discovery Well Park. Beautiful views of the Los Angeles Basin. Exercise Stations for those looking for a more vigorous workout. Also located along the trail are benches for enjoying the views and interpretive panels, which are part of the hilltop “memory necklace” describing either historical events or the view. PLANNING Purpose of Project The hilltop area in Signal Hill rises some 300 feet above the surrounding urban areas of the Cities of Signal Hill and Long Beach. Signal Hill is the only accessible high ground for ten miles. The Panorama Promenade trail allows visitors to the hilltop the opportunity to stroll around the hill and take in spectacular views and find themselves at either Hilltop Park, to the west, with its picture windows, poetry etched walkways, misting tower and telescopes or Discovery Well Park, to the east, with its historic oil well (the first oil producing well in Signal Hill), community building and active park amenities. Walkers marvel as they walk the one-mile loop at the spectacular 360 degree view encompassing Catalina Island, Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Huntington Beach coastline to the south, the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles and even the Hollywood sign to the north and west, as well as the Long Beach Airport and northern Orange County to the east. The plan envisioned the one-mile loop trail to serve as the spine connection for improved right-of-way trails located on the hillside slopes and feeder trails from home development dedicated walkways. Due to the feeder trails, individuals can shorten or lengthen their walk to accommodate their time or increase their endurance since the loop trail is fairly level with the feeder trails providing more grade and aerobic opportunities. It was also important to provide a respite feeling of being away from traffic and the hustle and bustle of the urban environment, as well as make as much of that experience accessible to all. Walking maps for the entire hill system were created for the dedication of the trail so trail users would be aware of the variety of opportunities available. PLANNING PROCESS, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND RELATIONSHIP TO THE CITY’S RECREATION ELEMENT The concept of ascending and walking the terrain of the hill is literally as old as the Native Americans who utilized the hill for signal fires to communicate with tribes on remote islands. Residents and members of surrounding communities from teenagers to seniors would come to the hill day and night to take in the views. On a clear day the Channel Islands and one of the nation’s busiest seaports can be seen. Night is a spectacular carpet of lights. The hill is ideal for walking, running and a Sunday drive. Keeping this access was a vital item raised whenever development of the hill is discussed. The 1989 Park Master Plan specifically defined greenbelt requirements, negative impacts on views and requirements for dedicated trail linkages as important Park elements in the city’s General Plan. In 1998 the Plan was revisited during two public meetings with over 100 residents and key components were: acknowledging existing usage of the hill and its unique views, anticipating needs of future residents, keeping unobstructed views from as many vantage points around the hill and making them accessible to as many as possible. As plans were developed and evolved through the housing boom the key focus was to provide as much access to all the 360-degree view of the entire greater Los Angeles Basin as possible. Several committees were utilized for pathways and connections, art components or view patios along the trail as well as the interpretive panels, which provide a look back to the rich history of Signal Hill and the surrounding communities. PROMOTING PARTICIPATION Panorama/Skyline Loop Trail was designed to encourage active and passive uses and serve as access to a destination or a place to pass through on the way to other areas on the hill. An element specifically included into the design was to get people out of their cars – especially if they drove to a park with no intent of walking – and by making inviting openings to the trail entry – get them to exit their cars and take a short stroll. DESIGN Environmental Protection Preservation of views and the enhancement thereof were key components in the design of the loop. Most importantly, wherever development hadn’t occurred, the trail and view patios were put on the outside of the hill to forever provide the view. Only along the south side of the hill was the loop placed on the inside as development had already occurred blocking the views from this quarter-mile stretch. Hence it became even more important to protect all the remaining outer slopes prior to development occurring. Dogs many times accompany walkers. So pet waste stations were strategically placed throughout the pathways and trailheads. Lighting for safety was a key concern; however, so was the glare and spill from lights. Therefore, Sheppard hook lights were designed to case light down onto the walkway but not into the surrounding sky. Providing an effective plan for drainage and plant growth was also important since much of the walkway was near the edge of the slope so erosion prevention was important. ART & AESTHETICS The overall design intent was to have the loop design frame, blend, and in essence become part of other existing parks and adjacent housing, creating a seamless transition. This was accomplished by using similar elements throughout the entire hill top development whether public or private. Continued interpretation of the ongoing open space plan to connect vista points and park sites via a trail system was central to the design intent of the loop and was central to the projects intrinsic qualities, views and history. Hence seating areas were incorporated in several locations not just to rest and take in the view but to also learn about the past history and use of the surrounding area. Six interpretive panels were provided in these areas to the following themes: • Japanese Farmers – discussing their well known flower and vegetable farms, • Discovery of Oil - In 1920 the farms began to change to a forest of oil derricks, • Car Climbs – early auto dealers touted their cars ability to climb “the hills” 70% grade, • Early Aviation – highlighting well known pioneer aviator Earl Daugherty who would soar primitive gliders off of Signal Hill around the same time the Wright Brothers were taking their first flight, • Oil Fires on the Hill – high concentrations of natural gas posed a constant dangers and provided so great stories, • Broadcasting and Music – Signal Hill was once home to the first all Jazz radio station in the World. Entry monuments at the entrances to the non-motorized portion of the Promenade were designed to look similar to the City’s hill logo. COMMUNITY USE Connecting all park elements with a loop trail serves to integrate the functional needs and establish design forms as the basis of the trail design plan. The trail provides users the following elements: Benches and decorative stone seat wall Trail connections to other walking systems Drinking fountains Public art areas Exercise stations Disabled accessibility throughout View enhancement Historical references Trail heads at active and passive parks OPERATION & MAINTENANCE • Various graffiti coating products were used to protect the surfaces throughout the trail. A permanent coating was used on all site furniture and seating areas, and entry monuments. • Plant material that is water conserving and low maintenance are vital to the maintainability and erosion issues of the slopes. • Trees were selected and placed for variety and size to provide color throughout the year and size so as to not effect but enhance the views. • Trash containers and pet waste containers were placed throughout the project. • Fencing was added to limit access to the steep slopes. • A decorative entry gates were installed for non-motorized use of the very serene pathway on the north side of the hill. • No parking was provided to encourage use of trailheads and feeder trails. MISSION SUPPORT The community has come to support and appreciate the difference this project has made by enhancing property values, adding art into the view sheds, infusing color and variety of planting along the public access areas, preserving and enhancing views, requiring and enhancing public access and trail connections, and adding historical perspective to the setting. Coupling this with the integrated design elements throughout the park system has greatly strengthened the community image and sense of place. With the City providing the spine and requiring developers to build public use feeder trails, the community issue of ongoing access to the hills views and long standing history of being a destination for walkers was kept in tact. Environmentally the project serves as the spine with a generous array of urban trails tracing the hill as a healthy way to access city services and parks without utilizing the automobile. It also serves as an example of reclamation of blighted urban industrial land. Being a trail naturally provides opportunities for health and wellness. The trail was designed as a one-mile loop to specifically get folks out of their cars and enjoy the view. Due to the feeder trails individuals can shorten or lengthen their walk to accommodate their time or increase their endurance since the loop trail is fairly level with the feeder trails providing more grade and aerobic opportunities. Walking maps for the entire hill system were created for the dedication of the trail so trail users would be aware of the variety of opportunities available. |
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