The Hermosa Beach Greenbelt – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance raises path misues conerns
by Dan Blackburn
Three alternatives for resurfacing the Hermosa Beach Greenbelt from Pier Avenue to 11th Street are under consideration by city officials, seeking to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Earlier this month, the Public Works Commission spent three hours discussing the alternatives, before unanimously agreeing to send the proposals to the City Council for a March 31 public study session.
The Greenbelt was developed in 1986 along an abandoned Santa Fe Railroad right of way. The section selected for the pilot study, according to city staff, has “all the elements offered elsewhere along the Greenbelt such as a workout station, benches, water fountain.”
The options, as described in the city staff report are:
- Replace the current wood chip path with decomposed gravel (DG). “Lowest maintenance, creating a seamless sense of access, minor modifications to existing irrigation and plants.”
- A split path, six feet wide of wood chip, six feet of DG. “Increased maintenance to prevent mixing of materials, may create conflicts between passing users, and would require a fixed header presenting a tripping hazard.”
- A separate DG path parallel to the existing wood chip path. “Highest cost, requiring planting, possible tree removal, significant regrading.”
A city consultant recommended decomposed granite, described as resembling “a fine gravel or coarse sand, and can be obtained in different colors to best match the surroundings.”
Planning Commissioner Rob Saemann commented during the Public Works Commission’s virtual meeting, “Wood chips are not indigenous to the Greenbelt. They are artificially, periodically dumped and spread out, probably to keep weeds, dust, and mud to a minimum. It is a loose, uneven, dangerous surface to walk and run on. Decomposed granite is a naturally occurring substance, and when used in this application can look and feel as natural as a dirt trail.”
Other comments suggested a divide over whether a new surface compatible with ADA requirements was appropriate.
Maria Haase noted she has “lots of respect for the ADA, (but) the same proposal was submitted a few years ago. Having a granite trail on the Greenbelt will attract more e-bikes and supermarket carts. These will destroy the Greenbelt, the only green area we have in Hermosa Beach.”
Betsy Ryan called for a dual path, with one for wheelchairs.
Marion Pearl told the commission, “The proposed surface material of natural stabilized decomposed granite will not support wheelchairs for very long.”
Priscila Kasha commented, “Adding a path for the ADA would invite motorized bicyclists and skateboarders to use this path indiscriminately, creating a similar situation to The Strand with little to no police enforcement and a complete disregard for pedestrian safety.”
ADA activist Geoff Hirsch wrote, “After many years, it looks as though the city is finally ready to acknowledge that those citizens who are challenged, physically, whether they use wheelchairs, walkers, or simply parents pushing strollers, are entitled to have full access to our entire city. The concept is simple: everyone is entitled to access the Greenbelt. Simply stated, those with challenges can and must be allowed to gain access to everywhere able-bodied people can go.”
The City’s current budget provides approximately $662,000 to fund ADA services. ER