The Hay Tree site, an historical reminder of Paramount’s agricultural past, will be purchased by the city and used for public open space and recreation. The camphor tree was planted in the late 19th century off Paramount Boulevard and adjacent to the Civic Center.
Courtesy photo
By Arnold Adler
Contributing Writer
PARAMOUNT — The city will purchase the site of the Hay Tree, an historical landmark abutting the Paramount Civic Center, for $700,000, from its owner, Paramount General Hospital.
“The city’s intent in seeking to acquire the Hay Tree property is to use the parcel for public use, namely for preservation of a historic resource, improvement of public parking facilities and improvements to existing public facilities and public recreation space,” City Attorney Nicholas Ghirelli said.
The tree abuts the former Paramount Saw building, 16493 Paramount Blvd., where city officials are planning a community use facility. Through the city’s development and disposition agreement with that property owner, once the Paramount Saw renovations are completed over the next year, the city will occupy approximately one-third of the building for a community room, kitchenette, restrooms, a city historic museum and an event area for the community.
The City Council approved the acquisition by eminent domain March 11 in connection with the Civic Center improvement project.
Ghirelli said the Hay Tree property will add great value by providing more space for outdoor enjoyment and complement the property’s new recreational use.
Included in the proposed purchase and sale agreement is a condition that requires the city to provide an access easement to Paramount General Hospital over the driveway at Civic Center Drive off of Paramount Blvd. That was approved by the City Council Aug. 26.
The hospital wanted to ensure that, after closing, the city did not close this point of entry for the hospital, Ghirelli said. The northerly access driveway the hospital uses is partly on the Hay Tree property and partly on another adjacent city-owned parcel.
The purchase of the Hay Tree property will allow the city to have more control over and provide a more supportive environment for what is considered a historic landmark, Ghirelli said. In addition, the city will make improvements to the surrounding open space to provide outdoor community event space.
Proposed improvements include a dining platform with overhead structure and integrated lighting adjacent to the Saw Building, flexible lawn space, lighting, signage, a mural and public art, as well as walkways and seating areas with picnic tables.
The outdoor community space is intended to support community and cultural programming and activities. These improvements would be within the larger open space area. The physical improvements would not be constructed directly adjacent to the Hay Tree, the attorney said.
The city’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget includes $881,000 for the Hay Tree acquisition. The cost will cover the purchase and sale of the property for $700,000 and the associated legal and real estate transaction fees, he added.
The Hay Tree is one of the few reminders of the area’s busy hay and dairy industry, preserved in a place of prominence in a corner of the Paramount Civic Center Plaza. It is one of 11 trees designated as California historical landmarks.
