Veterans Memorial Park Baseball Field Remediation Project

The City of Commerce is pleased to announce that it has been awarded an Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). These funds will be used to investigate and clean up the baseball field at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 6364 Zindell Ave, ensuring that the site is safe for future use and community enjoyment.

Project Background
The property where Veterans Memorial Park now stands has a long history. From at least 1896 through 1940, the land was either undeveloped or used for agriculture. Between 1941 and 1954, it operated as a landfill. In 1963, the landfill was capped with fill soil and a vegetative cover, and by 1972, the area was redeveloped into Veterans Memorial Park. However, due to its former use as a landfill, the land has been sinking, making the baseball field unsafe for play.

Remediation Efforts
The ECRG grant will fund the investigation and cleanup of the baseball field, with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) serving as the oversight agency. The goal of this project is to safely restore the baseball field for future development that will benefit the entire community.

Thursday, September 26, 2024

• Parks and Recreation and Public Works staff will meet with the modular company to determine if one of the trailers can be relocated on site to use as our main facility.
• If neither of the modulars can be relocated, staff will consider a smaller modular to be placed in the parking lot to use as the main facility.
• If a new modular can be installed, Public Works and Parks and Recreation will work together to connect electricity, water, plumbing and will work with IT to install internet access for staff.
• Staff will confirm removal date of both modulars.
• Public Works will be disconnecting water and electrical on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
• All outside bins (emergency preparedness and baseball equipment) will be relocated.

 Week of October 7, 2024

 A fence will be installed around the north parking lot, around the modulars (will be removed soon) and in front of the playground leading to the basketball courts.

• Playground access will be closed. 

 Programming

• Volleyball to remain at the gym
• Tiny Two’s will be conducted out of the gym lobby – Start date October 2024.
• Pre school will be conducted out of the gym lobby – Start date September 30, 2024.
• Park Program will relocate out of the gym lobby and the patio on the west side of the facility
• HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) will continue outside in its original location – Access to the HIIT Center will be through the basketball courts
• Basketball courts will remain open during hours of operation
• Flag Football has been moved to the following parks:
  • Level 2 – Relocated to Rosewood Park
  • Levels 1 & 3 – Were relocated and accommodated at Bandini and Bristow Parks – Parks of their choosing
• No access to pagodas or reservations accepted
• Spray pool will be closed and no access

Community Engagement
The City of Commerce is committed to keeping residents informed throughout the remediation process. The City, along with DTSC, the Water Board, contractors, and project management, will provide regular updates on the progress of this important project.