Recreation and Parks Commission
If you would like to participate in this meeting, you can participate via the following options:
- PARTICIPATE BEFORE THE MEETING by emailing the Gardena Board/Commission/Committee at publiccomment@cityofgardena.org two (2) hours before the meeting starts on the day of the meeting and write "Public Comment" in the subject line. Written public comments will be provided to the Recreation and Parks Commission and will be part of the record but will not be read aloud.
- ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON
PUBLIC COMMENT: The Gardena Board/Commission/Committee will hear from the public on any item on the agenda or any item of interest that is not on the agenda at the following times:
- Agenda Items - At the time the Board/Commission/Committee considers the item or during Public Comment.
- If you wish to address the Gardena Board/Commission/Committee, please complete a “Speaker Request” form and present it to staff. You will be called to the podium by name when it is your turn to address the Board/Commission/Committee. The Board/Commission/Committee cannot legally take action on any item not scheduled on the Agenda. Such items may be referred for administrative action or scheduled on a future Agenda. Members of the public wishing to address the Board/Commission/Committee will be given three (3) minutes to speak.
The City of Gardena, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requests individuals who require special accommodations to access, attend and/or participate in the City meeting due to disability, to please contact the City Clerk's Office by phone (310) 217-9565 or email cityclerk@cityofgardena.org at least 24 business hours prior to the scheduled general meeting to ensure assistance is provided. Assistive listening devices are available.
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS
- Treat everyone courteously;
- Listen to others respectfully;
- Exercise self-control;
- Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints;
- Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate; and
- Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
Thank you for your attendance and cooperation
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
1. Stephen W. Dyson 2. Dontae Rayford 3. Eddy Lee Mathews 4. Woods Woolwine, Jr. 5. Philip A. Johnson
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the time where the public may address the Recreation Commission on items that are not on the agenda, but within the Recreation Commission's jurisdiction. Comments should be limited to three minutes.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Monday, April 13, 2026 Minutes
6. COMMISSION MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. NEW BUSINESS
9. STAFF LIAISON REPORT
A. Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve
a. Senior Stroll Thursdays 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM b. Scavenger Hunt, Sunday, May 24, 2026, 9 am - 12 pm Willows Wetland Preserve
B. Youth & Adult Sports
a. Youth Soccer Season ends Saturday May 16, 2026, LAB 5 to celebrate the World Cup b. Soccer Banquet Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ Freeman Park themed to celebrate the World Cup c. Baseball & Softball Registration ends Saturday, May 30, 2026 d. Baseball & Softball Clinics will be on Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning May 12, 2026
C. Summer Camp/After-School Program
a. Summer Camp beginning Monday, June 15, 2026 - Friday, August 7, 2026, Freeman Park & Johnson Park b. Teen Camp beginning Monday, July 13, 2026 - Friday, August 7, 2026, Nakaoka Community Center c. After-School Program 2026/2027 Registration begins Monday, May 18, 2026
D. Past Events
a. Youth Chess Tournament Saturday, April 18, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Nakaoka Community Center b. Spring Community Yard Sale Saturday April 25, 2026, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM Mas Fukai c. Public Safety Day Saturday April 25, 2026, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM City Hall d. Cinco de Mayo Parade Saturday May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM e. Boys 2 Men Friday May 8, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM Nakaoka Community Center f. Sound & Bites May 8, 2026, 6 pm - 9 pm, Gardena Parking Lot g. Mother's Day Brunch, Saturday, May 9, 2026 - 11 am - 1 pm - Rowley Park
E. Upcoming Events
a. Kids to Park Day, Bell Park, Saturday May 16, 2026, Thornburg Park, Freeman Park 10 am - 12:30 pm , Fukai Park, Johnson Park, Rowley Park 1 pm - 3:30 pm b. TRP Sunshine Luau, Friday, June 5, 2026, 6:30 pm - 9 pm, Nakaoka Community Center c. Gardena Glows Pickleball, Friday, June 5, 2026, 8 pm - 10 pm, Rush Gymnasium d. Junk in the Trunk, Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm, Gardena Public Parking Lot e. Pitch, Hit, & Run, Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm, Fukai Park f. Sound Bites, Friday, June 12, 2026, 6 pm - 9 pm, Gardena Public Parking Lot g. Community Care Day, Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:30 am - 1 pm, Human Services Building h. Juneteenth DJ Showcase, Friday, June 19, 2026, 4:30 pm - 8 pm, City Hall Complex i. July 4 Celebration, Saturday, July 4, 2026, 5 pm - 10 pm, Rowley Park
F. MIsc.
a. Aquatic Center b. World Cup Passport Activity i. Friday, June 12, 2026, at our Sound & Bites series we will be hosting a World Cup viewing party. USA vs Paraguay
10. ADJOURNMENT
The Recreation and Parks Commission will adjourn to the next meeting at 7:30pm on June 8, 2026
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted in the City Hall lobby not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting. A copy of said Agenda is available on our website at www.CityofGardena.org.
/s/ MINA SEMENZA
MINA SEMENZA, City Clerk
Date Posted: May 8, 2026