PRCS Commission sets priorities for Tellefson Park projects

The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services (PRCS) Commission set priorities for projects to improve Tellefson Park, one of the first major implementations of the Citywide Parks Plan. This plan was approved in February 2025 to outline the direction of improvements to Culver City's parks over the next 15 years, and the work on Tellefson Park marks a significant step toward making the plan a reality.

In addition to the projects already detailed in the Parks Plan, the PRCS Commission recommended that the city apply for a grant to install a Fitness Court Studio at Tellefson Park, which is located at 11057 Washington Pl. The Fitness Court Studio has two components: a seven-part outdoor gym with built-in equipment and an open studio section for flexible fitness programming.

Each gym section focuses on a different muscle group, and the equipment used is installed in partnership with the National Fitness Campaign, a wellness company focused on installing these Fitness Courts. A wall separates the two sections of the Fitness Court Studio, which can serve as the canvas for a public mural.

These courts have been installed in several cities and institutions in California, including Veterans Park in Redondo Beach, Lynwood Park in Lynwood, CA, the University of California, Davis, and Stanford University, among others. The Studio comes with a companion app that helps users find nearby Fitness Courts, which commissioners hope will bring visitors from outside Culver City into the city.

To accommodate the Fitness Court, an accessible walking path will be a top priority among the Parks Plan projects for Tellefson Park. Several commissioners agreed that this component should take priority in the planning. The walking path is recommended by the National Fitness Campaign as a supplement to the Fitness Court, and commissioners argued it should come before projects like a sand volleyball court, additional benches, a new outdoor gathering space, and furnishings such as drinking fountains and bike racks.

One of the biggest potential changes from the final Parks Plan approved last year comes directly from Culver City residents. PRCS Department Senior Management Analyst Adam Ferguson said that, while the original Parks Plan called for two pickleball or paddle tennis courts at the park, three courts were included in the model presented to the commission Tuesday night in response to recent resident feedback.

These pickleball courts were originally located on the southwestern side of the park, but staff raised concerns that this location would obstruct views of the park from surrounding areas. However, placing three courts in this new eastern location would encroach on the adjacent picnic area. When setting priorities, the high volume of resident feedback led the commission to place these courts just below the walking path.

Another proposal considered Tuesday night involved activating the northern side of Tellefson Park. Ferguson said the area has been attractive to homeless encampments, and the commission considered suggestions to include a series of compost bins and/or additional fitness equipment on the park's north side.

Several commissioners also had their own ideas for what they considered necessary improvements to Tellefson Park. Commissioner Thomas Whitaker suggested considering lighting improvements, and Commissioner Maggie Peters noted that the Tellefson Park bathrooms need refurbishment.

The costs of projects in the Parks Plan have been a concern for both residents and staff, and Tellefson Park was eyed as the city's first project due to its relatively low financial burden. The total projected amount for the projects in the plan is $3,274,564, but $2 million of that is for stormwater improvements that Public Works staff won’t even discuss starting for at least “5-10 years,” according to Ferguson.

For the Fitness Court Studio, estimated to cost between $160,000 and $270,000, the commission will seek permission to pursue a grant to help cover up to $30,000 of the costs, and Ferguson said the city could use Measure A funding distributed by Los Angeles to pay for the remainder. Should this funding be used, the city could not offer resident discounts to Culver City residents for any paid classes or programming the city decides to hold at the Court.

Expenditures in the city’s estimates for the court and other project aspects include contractor conditions and design contingencies. The equipment will be under warranty. The wall between the two sections will be covered with a laminate similar to that used for commercial aircrafts, which ensures that graffiti can be cleaned with pressure washing without damaging the artwork on the Fitness Court structure.