Council allows Hermosa Beach Little League to begin fundraising for Clark Field improvements

The Hermosa Beach City Council on April 28 authorized a three-year memorandum of understanding that allows Hermosa Beach Little League to begin fundraising and retain licensed professionals to design preliminary improvements to Clark Field.

Staff described the effort as Little League-led and largely self-funded; the draft MOU limits the city’s current role to permitting, plan review and oversight of required engineering and public-safety clearances. “This would allow them to at least kick off fundraising campaigns for the various elements that are included, so that we could further advance what the design would actually look like,” staff said.

Planned improvements shown in conceptual renderings include a new turf infield, a reconfigured backstop (possibly shifting the north diamond northwest to expand field and spectator areas), upgraded bleachers and foldable seating, lighting adjustments, a new scoreboard and permeable pavement to address drainage in the loop road.

Parks & Recreation and Public Works commissions provided input before the item came to council; Parks & Rec expressed general support but flagged naming-rights concerns (Little League said it did not intend to pursue naming rights), while Public Works asked that the city’s engineering staff limit design support this fiscal year to avoid impacting the capital improvement program. Little League agreed to pay for staff time or plan-check costs associated with the permitting process.

Council members praised the League’s volunteer leadership and approved the staff recommendation to permit fundraising and preliminary design. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll raise the revenue,” Council member Jackson said during the discussion. The council voted to authorize the MOU so Little League can proceed with design and fundraising; any construction-phase agreement would be negotiated later and would outline responsibilities and maintenance terms.