by Kevin Cody
A celebration of life for Hermosa Beach activist Parker Herriott will be held Saturday, June 7, at 1 p.m. in Noble Park. Herriott was instrumental in blocking the beachfront park from being sold by the city to a hotel developer.
Noble Park is at 14th Street and The Strand.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Herriott led the fight against six City Council-supported general election ballot measures, asking voters to approve development on city-owned property. The 1983 ballot measure called for a 75-foot-high, 175-room hotel. Finally, in 1992, Parker helped qualify a voter initiative to make the former Biltmore Hotel site a park. It passed overwhelmingly, 6,772 to 4,106.
A condition of the initiative was that no structures could be built on the property. Herriott argued the restriction included park benches, though the city now allows them.
Noble Park, named after developer Joe Noble, who made a significant contribution to the park after the open space ballot measure was approved. ER
Parker indeed was relentless in his fight for open space at 14th Street and The Strand in Hermosa Beach. I was honored (with many others) to help him for most of a decade on that endeavor. There will always be a park there, and Parker’s determination and incentive will always be remembered for making that so. Thank You Parker. Rest in Peace.
Not only was Parker active in Hermosa Beach, he was equally active in Redondo Beach. He worked to get council meetings televised, he worked to preserve historic homes, he worked to improve Dominguez Park, and he was forever video recording historic events. We owe Parker so much for his activism. Just a great South Bay guy who loved people. He also worked on local campaigns for council.
We’re going to miss you Parker. Thanks for everything you did.
Parker was a good guy and had the best interest of the city at heart.
One of Parker’s biggest dreams was to see a flagpole with the American Flag flying high over the Park.
Those who attended his celebration of life were in agreement that the City should honor his contributions to the community by erecting one.