George F Canyon Nature Center & Stein/Hale Nature Trail

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GFC2 The George F Canyon Nature Center building is closed due to the aging condition of the facility. The canyon trail remains open, and Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy programming will continue, with limited amenities, to include:

• 1st Saturday Nature Walks
• 2nd Saturday Native Plant Sale
• Nature & Me Storytime
• Guided Scout Hikes
• Scout Badges

To receive information about programs and to sign up, please visit: www.pvplc.org

In our shared commitment to serve the Palos Verdes Peninsula community and beyond, we hope to soon break ground on an exciting new, state-of-the-art Nature Center building. We are grateful for your patience and support during this transition and will continue to keep the community updated on the progress.

The City is in the process of developing a new Nature Center building. Learn more about the project below!

27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates CA 90274

Southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive North

New Nature Center

Over the last few years, the City has been working on bringing a new Nature Center to the community. The City conducted a Nature Center Replacement Study for the George F Canyon Nature Center, which has both conceptualized a design for the new center, as well as estimated the cost for constructing the facility. Plans and specifications are being developed for future bidding and funding is being sought.

If you'd like to contribute to our Pepper Tree Foundation, Contact Rosa Pinuelas, Community Services Supervisor.

Upcoming Meetings

Nature Center Vision Plan

News

Funding

Past meetings & Discussion

2022

August 23, 2022 City Council Meeting

A public hearing was held for City Council's consideration and approval of a Precise Plan of Design (PPD) application (City Council Resolution No. 2523) for the George F Canyon Nature Center replacement Project, and an Initial Study (IS) with a proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND or ISMND) (City Council Resolution No. 2522), finding that the Project will not have a significant impact on the environment with the adoption of mitigation measures, all as set forth under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Project and the ISMND were reviewed by the Planning Commission on July 11, 2022 and both are recommended for City Council approval.

After City Council approval, including the ISMND, the architect and landscape architect will finalize their construction documents, which are about 80% complete. Once finalized, the project will be reviewed by Building & Safety (Plan Checked) and all permits will be issued. Bid documents will be prepared and the project will be competitively bid. The City continues to seek funding opportunities, including obtaining grants to build the project.

Staff Report

July 11, 2022 Planning Commission

Planning Commission to reviewed and recommended approval to the City Council, a Precise Plan of Design (PPD) application for the George F Canyon Nature Center replacement Project, and an Initial Study (IS) with a proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) (ISMND), finding that the Project will not have a significant impact on the environment with the adoption of mitigation measures, all as set forth under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

AGENDA

Staff Report

2021

December 14, 2021 City Council Meeting
The City Council approved an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Bolton Engineering Corporation for civil engineering services for the George F Canyon Nature Center Project.

Staff Report

October 12, 2021 City Council Meeting

The City Council provided input on possible future facility uses of a new Nature Center. This information was incorporated to assess environmental impacts as part of the project planning with staff ultimately returning to the Commission and Council with more detailed rental program guidelines and an application process.

Staff Report

July 27, 2021 City Council Meeting

At is July 27, 2021 meeting, the City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects, Inc. to proceed for project plans and specifications and a Task Order with MBI, under their professional Services Agreement, to conduct an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) in the amount of $67,535, subject to City Attorney final review and approval as to form.

Staff Report

March 23, 2021 City Council Meeting

At its March 23, 2021, the City Council approved the George F Canyon Nature Center Conceptual Design and directed staff to return with Agreements for the architect to continue work toward final plan and specifications and an environmental consultant for an environmental review.

Nature Center Conceptual Design Staff Report

March 15, 2021 Park and Activities Commission Meeting

A final conceptual design of a new George F Canyon Nature Center was presented to the Park and Activities for recommendation to the City Council; a preliminary discussion was additionally held to consider types of use at a future facility. The Commission recommended that the City Council approve the George F Canyon Nature Center Conceptual Design.

Nature Center Conceptual Design Staff Report

Nature Center Facility Use Considerations Staff Report

February 9, 2021 Joint City Council, Planning and Park and Activities Commissions Meeting

This meeting provided an overview of the Nature Center Conceptual Design and provided an opportunity for additional public input.

Staff Report and Nature Center Concept Attachment

2020

October 27, 2020 City Council Meeting

Staff recommended that the City Council schedule a community meeting for continued public engagement with City appointed and elected officials of the Park and Activities Commission, Planning Commission and City Council.

Staff Report

Agenda

October 19, 2020 Park and Activities Commission Meeting

A revised conceptual design for George F Canyon Nature Center was presented to the Park and Activities Commission with the recommendation that the Commission provide input and recommend the final draft of the Nature Center Conceptual Design to be reviewed and approved by the City Council.

Staff Report

Agenda

2019

July 15, 2019 Park & Activities Commission Meeting

A verbal report was given providing a Nature Center update, the Commission was informed that the final study went to the City Council in June and that a City Council subcommittee was formed to meet with the architect to consider an alternate proposal that would reduce cost.

Agend a

Minutes

June 11, 2019 City Council Meeting

Consulting firms Roesling, Nakamura, and Terada Architects and Spurlock Landscape Architects prepared a Power Point presentation of the George F Canyon Nature Center Replacement Study’s final conceptual plans and cost estimates for City Council’s review.

Agenda

Staff Report

Presentation

March 18, 2019 Park & Activities Commission Meeting

Staff recommended that the Park and Activities Commission provide feedback to consulting firms Roesling, Nakamura, and Terada Architects and Spurlock Landscape Architects in the development of a conceptual site plan and cost estimate for replacement of the George F Canyon Nature Center and the Rolling Hills Estates Community Center facilities to present to City Council.

Agenda

Minutes

February 19, 2019 Park & Activities Commission Meeting

A verbal report was provided to the Commission providing a Nature Center Redesign update. A Nature Center Re-design Workshop was scheduled for February 28, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. All residents were notified by mail about the meeting.

Agenda

Minutes

2018

November 27, 2018 City Council Meeting

Staff recommended that the City Council enter into an agreement with Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects (RNT) in conjunction with Spurlock Landscape Architects to complete a Nature Center Replacement Study for George F Canyon Nature Center.

Agenda

Minutes

November 19, 2018 Park & Activities Commission Meeting

The interview panel recommended that the Park and Activities Commission makes a recommendation to City Council to enter into an Agreement with Roesling, Nakamura, and Terada Architects in conjunction with Spurlock Landscape Architects to complete a Nature Center Replacement Study for the George F Canyon Nature Center.

Agenda

Minutes

October 15, 2018 Park & Activities Commission Meeting

Nature Center Replacement Study Consultant Interview Update

Agenda

Minutes