Note: This page was written prior to new park plans which are currently being implemented.

Helping Harbor Park

There are a myriad of things one can do to help KMHRP. Probably the best way to get started is to call Rec. & Parks and see what events are scheduled (not very many), or what might be needed. The other avenue is to go to the PAB (Park Advisory Board) and get ideas from them.

Note: Update Aug. 2006 ... it is not known if the below paragraph still stands as accurate.

The PAB meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.. Currently they meet in Councilwoman Hahn's field office on Vermont at 194th St.. The PAB is in need of a few good people to be the voice of the habitat and wildlife, since the City of L.A. and Rec. & Parks choose not to be.

There have been many instances of planned habitat destruction at the park stopped by citizens who know a better way. Though too many were not stopped, and the city and Rec. & Parks maintenence management remain to this day (June 03) the greatest single threat to the habitat and wildlife at the park.

The only way to nip these things in the bud is to be involved with the process.

As for some more specific things that need doing ...
If I had my druthers there would be monthly non-native vegetation removal parties there. One month its passion vine, the next Castor Bean, the next Curly Dock, etc., etc.. Few things could benefit the park more than the control of non-native invasive plants.

The Bullfrogs, Water Snakes, and Turtles all need to be removed. The non-native dumped ducks & geese also need removing. These animals being introduced non-natives have no legal protection, so no special permits would be required if you removed them all. But it should be arranged with Rec. & Parks, and the PAB.

There should be bird nest boxes put up for species that are hole nesters. Since we are nuts about cutting down any dead limb, these species have taken a beating through loss of nest sites.

The north end willow forest needs cleaning, since when paper blows off the lawn into ANY natural area at the park it is no longer a maintenence issue - they don't pick it up. The citizens have to. There are several organized cleanups annually at the park, and these are a good start, but there need to be more.

The birds also need islands in the lake to rest, roost, and nest on, safely away from people and dog pressures. You can make a temporary floating platform easily that the birds will use. Installation must be arranged through R & P, since you'll need to get in a boat to place them in the lake.

Click here for more about "bird islands."

Bird Islands


The park would not be there, or be what it is if it were not for volunteers fighting to save and protect it. People like the late Ken Malloy, and the late Shirley Wells, and currently, Jess Morton and Martin Byhower, and others have been godsends for the park. They donated their time to save it for the wildlife to keep their homes and habitat, and for us to enjoy.

The species and numbers of birds nesting there need to be counted and monitored. The butterflies and dragonflies need monitoring too. The annual Bird (Dec.) and Butterfly (July) counts are good ways to participate - contact PV Audubon or the PAB. We're just starting to catalog the Dragonflies and Damselflies of the site.

The current phone number for Rec. & Parks activities at KMHRP is 310-548-7728 to get you started on your way to joining the list of true heroes at KMHRP.

Get involved, give a little, and make a big difference!


Here's a mural the P.V. Audubon summer camp youth made.