Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr, whose family designed Central Park, and his sons were the leaders in the landscape architecture and engineering of the Palos Verdes Project, the beginning of Palos Verdes real estate. As indicated on a map that he prepared in 1924, Olmsted anticipated many civic needs that would be realized in later years. The Olmsted family laid out and executed the landscape design for Malaga Cove Library, Malaga Cove School and La Venta Inn.
One large undertaking for the Olmsted Brothers was the planting at the northern entrance to the Palos Verdes Estates. This area is known for its massive color which blooms throughout the year. At the same time, over 100,000 trees and shrubs were being planted all over Palos Verdes Estates and a nursery was established at Lunada Bay so the residents could obtain plants. Today, this open space landscaping is seen constantly as you drive throughout our Palos Verdes area. The spacious green areas are one of the advantages of Palos Verdes living. The Olmsted Brothers also did the street layout for the city of Torrance.
As a tribute to this landscape genius, a small park at the corner of Palos Verdes Drive West and Via Corta in Malaga Cove, was dedicated and named Olmsted Place on Feb. 8, 2000.
Photo courtesy of Pat Skelton
