Potrero Canyon — Gates and Fencing (Locking & Closing Mechanisms; Height) Updates
Legend:
RAP — Recreation & Parks Dept.
BOE — Bureau of Engineering
CD11 — Office of Council District 11/Councilwoman Traci Park
7/15/24: RAP advises that the vehicle gate at the bottom of the canyon is now secure.
7/14/24: The vehicle gate located at the bottom of the canyon, above the trail to Temescal Canyon, has been open and unlocked for several days. This has been reported to RAP and CD 11, with a request for immediate correction.
5/1/24: The gate latching problem mentioned below has been corrected.
4/27/24: See entry for 4/27/24 in Park Staff & Service Requests (LAPD reports that people/teens may easily enter the Park after hours by jumping the fence).
4/15/24: The Friends St. entrance gate latching mechanism is again not operating properly (gate does not always latch shut when the door is swung open or closed). RAP is aware and advises that construction staff will examine all gates and work to correct the problem.
12/30/23: The Park entrance gate locks have been malfunctioning for several days during the holidays. The gates have been locking at approximately 3:45pm each day, so that the park is closed for more than an hour before sunset. This has resulted in residents reporting that they have observed many adult park visitors climbing over the fencing and gates in order to enter the park during daylight hours. RAP is aware of the situation and advises that the RAP locksmith will come out to repair the locks soon.
9/14/23: RAP staff have confirmed that the recent gate latching mechanism problems have been corrected. RAP is also looking into possible future options for more reliable and secure replacement gates that may be operated electronically (TBD). We will monitor.
9/2/23: RAP has corrected the recent problems with the Park entrance gates (latching mechanisms and Friends St. gate sidewalk clearance).
8/29/23: Latching mechanism problems persist on all three Park entrances, with the Friends St. gate still becoming stuck on the sidewalk when opened wide. We have notified RAP. Palisades Rec. Center Director Jasmine Dowlatshahi advises that staff inspects the Park gates each night before Park closure, to make sure they are latched.
8/25/23: Another problem with the Friends St. entrance gate (gate hitting the sidewalk when opened wide and thus not closing shut) was reported to RAP. Staff promptly repaired the problem. The Frontera St. pedestrian gate latching problem has also been addressed, however, issues with the baseball field entrance gate persist.
8/19/23: The baseball field gate is again not latching properly. This gate had been repaired and in good working order as of 8/17/23. The Frontera entrance gate is also not latching properly, but has not yet been repaired. RAP and CD 11 have been notified and are working toward a permanent remedy. The community may wish to ask for better working gates with a more reliable latching mechanism.
8/17/23: The baseball field entrance gate has been repaired and is now closing properly; the Frontera pedestrian gate needs further repair. RAP advises that an emergency repair request has been submitted, for “upgraded closers” to be installed soon.
8/12/23: Pedestrian gates at the Frontera and baseball fields entrances not closing shut properly; RAP has been notified of the gate mechanism problem.
8/11/23: The Park entrance gate locks are now set to open/close at sunrise/sunset times as of August 1, 2023. RAP advises that the adjustments may not occur more frequently than on a seasonal basis. CD 11 District Director Gaby Medina is exploring other options that might allow the locks to be adjusted more frequently, in order to ensure that the park opens and closes at sunrise and sunset, as planned.
7/30/23: RAP advises that the Park entrance gate locks will be readjusted during the month of August to align with the changing sunset times.
7/16/23: See entry for 7/16/23 under Park Signage and Use, regarding installation of new 8 ft. fencing and vehicle gates at the Frontera Park entrance.
6/20/23: RAP Maintenance Supervisor Robert Buenrostro advises that the new 8 ft. fencing and gate at the Frontera Park entrance (to replace the current fencing) is currently being fabricated by an RAP contractor (estimated project completion date not yet known).
5/11/23: Responding to concerns that the Frontera entrance gate was recently open at 8:30pm (after sunset, during darkness), RAP has advised that the Trilogy locks unfortunately do not have a programmable remote option. The department has only one locksmith who must come out and readjust the locks manually in order to change the closing times. Taking these conditions into account, RAP advises that the gate locks will now be set to close at 8:10pm until the end of July (i.e., for two and a half months), to be readjusted at that point based on the changing sunset times. This will allow the gates to close either at or within a relatively short time after sunset throughout this period. In no case should the gates be programmed to close before sunset each evening — the Park’s official closing time, per recently-amended LAMC Section 63.44.B.14(c); see Operating Hours and Enforcement.
5/11/23: With regard to replacing the Frontera entrance fencing and gates, RAP advises that it has accepted a bid and is waiting for the required Notice to Proceed, which should be issued shortly. The contractor will then be scheduled to begin work. RAP Maintenance Supervisor Robert Buenrostro will keep us apprised of the status.
4/4/23: RAP advises that a project to replace the vehicle gate and fencing at the Frontera Park entrance with an 8 ft. gate and fence is going to bid. The process is expected to take a couple of months.
4/3/23: Pedestrian gate at the Friends St. entrance not closing shut; RAP and CD 11 were notified of the gate mechanism problem; RAP Maintenance corrected the problem.
3/29/23: RAP advises that RAP Maintenance has evaluated the fencing and gates at the Frontera Park entrance and will have a contractor 1) raise the height of fencing on both sides, and 2) fabricate a taller vehicle gate, so that the fencing and gates cannot be easily climbed over. The PCOC* will monitor.
3/22/23: Pedestrian gate at the Frontera Park entrance not closing shut; RAP was notified of the gate mechanism problem; RAP Maintenance corrected the problem.
Dec. 2022 – Feb. 2023: RAP and CD 11 were notified of recurring problems with the Park entrance gate locks (not operating timely) and/or latching mechanisms (not closing shut). The problems were remedied but continued to occur going forward.
*Note: the prior PPCC Potrero Canyon Oversight Committee (PCOC) is no longer active as of July 2024; matters involving Potrero Canyon are regularly monitored by PPCC members.