Rolling Hills Estates, CA
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George F Canyon Nature Center Project
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 been developed.
The Nature Center has been re-imagined from the existing 1,450 square-foot facility, including the outdoor deck, to an expanded 3,290 square-foot facility designed to serve as a welcoming gateway to the City. The new building will provide enhanced educational opportunities through our partnership with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, along with a community gathering space and scenic viewing decks — all with the purpose of promoting the canyon, trails, and native habitat of the area.
If you'd like to contribute to our Pepper Tree Foundation, Contact Rosa Pinuelas, Community Services Supervisor.
Project Construction to begin in early 2026.
1-23-25 Project Update:
Over the last several years, the City of Rolling Hills Estates has been planning for the replacement of the existing Nature Center with a new and enhanced Center at George F Canyon. As part of this effort, the City completed a Nature Center Replacement Study, which developed a conceptual design for a new facility and provided construction cost estimates. Based on this work, the City has continued advancing the project by developing plans and specifications.
The project was presented to City Council and formally bid in October 2025, with a construction contract awarded in November 2025.
The project is anticipated to last approximately one year.
Project Details:
- Construction fencing is scheduled to be installed on Monday, January 26, 2026.
- During construction, parking within the project site will not be available. However, street parking, sidewalks, pedestrian access, the nearby bus stop, and access to the canyon and trails will remain open and accessible.
- The City and its contractors will work to minimize impacts and maintain safe access around the site throughout construction.
We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as the City delivers this long-planned improvement
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Located at the southwest corner of Palos Verdes DriveEast / Palos Verdes Drive North 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East,Rolling Hills Estates, CA |
Questions or More Information
Kirsten Graham
Public Works Manager
City of Rolling Hills Estates
Phone: (310) 377-1577 ext. 103
Email: kirsteng@rollinghillsestates.gov
No upcoming meetings scheduled at this time.
Please view the Rolling Hills Estates Nature Center Vision Plan, which highlights the site location, floor plan, survey results, design objectives, and more. The image above is a rendering of the conceptualized design.
Estimated cost for full project (Nature Center Main Building, including canyon walkway and outdoor classroom): $6,850,000
Estimated cost for proposed project (Nature Center Main Building): $6,150,000
To date, more than $5 million has been secured or allocated through state and county grants, Park Facilities Fees, and community partnerships, as summarized below:
| Grants/Allocated Funds | Amount |
| City Park Facility Fees (budgeted or expended to date) | $387,000 |
| CA State Dept Parks & Rec Grant | $1,200,000 |
| LA County-Hahn commitment | $500,000 |
| Prop 68 - Per Capita Program | $177,952 |
| Prop 68 - Urban Area | $5,040 |
| Rolling Hills Partnership (Prop 68) | $177,952 |
| Rolling Hills Partnership (Prop 68-urban area) | $1,156 |
| Measure A | $318,482 |
| Estimate PVPLC contribution | $500,000 |
| Allocated City contribution (2025/26 Measure W) | $120,000 |
| Allocated City contribution (Park Facilities Fees) | $1,200,000 |
| Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) | $424,200 |
| Total Funds Allocated/Granted | $5,011,782 |
27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates CA 90274
Southwest corner of Palos Verdes Drive East and Palos Verdes Drive North
There has been discussion on the Nature Center Project with both Park & Activities Commission and City Council:
November 18, 2025 City Council Meeting (Agenda)
City Council approved the contract with SS+K Construction Inc. in the amount of $3,720,743.00, plus a 10% contingency ($372,074.30) for a grand total of $4,092,817.30 for the construction of Phase One of the Nature Center. (Staff Report)
September 9, 2025 City Council Meeting
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2604 and approved certifying the approval of the application for Proposition 68 grant funds, providing additional certification as required under the grant program, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement between the City and the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Staff Report
August 26, 2025 City Council Meeting
General project update provided: Staff Report
March 11, 2025 City Council Meeting - Policy Development Session
General project update provided: Staff Report
August 13, 2024 City Council Meeting
Rejected Bids for the George F Nature Center Replacement Project
City Council reviewed the results of bidding for the George F Canyon Nature Center Replacement Project and decided to reject the two bids received on June 20, 2024, as both were significantly above the architect's cost estimate, with totals exceeding $5 million each, which was well over the estimated $2.8 million for construction. TheCity Council directed staff to re-bid the project which considers a phased approach that would allow the City to defer certain elements, such as the Learning Pavilion (outdoor classroom) and Canyon Gateway walkway, to future phases if additional funds are not secured, thereby focusing available resources on construction of the main facility and essential site improvements. This strategy responds to current market conditions and aims to make the project financially feasible with the existing funding and grant sources.
Pepper Tree Foundation Large Donor Fundraising Campaign for Nature Center Project
The Pepper Tree Foundation Executive Board of Directors revised proposed large donation campaign for the George F Canyon Nature Center project.
March 26, 2024 City Council Meeting
City Council approved several measures to advance the George F Canyon Nature Center Replacement Project, including an amendment for additional architectural services with RNT Architects, a Native American monitoring services agreement with the Kizh Nation Indian Tribe, and a professional services agreement with UltraSystems Environmental for biological, cultural, and paleontological monitoring, all in compliance with environmental mitigation requirements and to support project bidding and construction activities. These approvals ensure necessary oversight and regulatory compliance during site work and construction.
March 26, 2024 City Council Meeting - Policy Development Session
General project update provided: Staff Report
December 12, 2023 City Council Meeting
The City Council approved a professional services agreement with Transtech Engineers, Inc. to provide bidding support and project management for the George F Canyon Nature Center Replacement Project, advancing plans to demolish and rebuild the nature center, expand site amenities, and improve parking at the intersection of Palos Verdes Drive North and East.
Staff Report
November 14, 2023 City Council Meeting
The Pepper Tree Foundation Board approved the large donor fundraising campaign for the George F Canyon Nature Center, which features naming opportunities for key site elements such as the Learning Pavilion, Observation Deck, Demonstration Garden, and others. The campaign is structured in partnership with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy and includes a new naming policy that allows major contributors to be recognized in perpetuity for their support of Pepper Tree Foundation-funded capital projects. This donor recognition policy is distinct from the City’s existing property naming guidelines.
Staff Report
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
October 15, 2018 Park & Activities Commission Meeting
Nature Center Replacement Study Consultant Interview Update