The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, rapidly expanded amid extreme drought and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. The blaze scorched 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and displaced over 100,000 residents before firefighters finally contained it on January 31, 2025. The disaster left deep physical and emotional scars across the community — including the loss of much of the Palisades Village, once the heart of local life.
Nine months later, scenes like Thursday’s gathering at Veterans Gardens signal a return of the human spirit. With the sun setting behind the Santa Monica Mountains and the ocean breeze drifting inland, dozens of players — from their twenties to their seventies — competed, laughed, and reconnected in the park’s welcoming atmosphere.
“This has everything to do with creating belonging and creating community,” said Jimmy Dunne, co-founder of the Palisades Bocce Club. “When this town needs it more than ever, it’s about buddies getting together — the Sweet Peas, the Killer Peas, the Chai Rollers, the Sunset Patriots — they love to come out, play, and celebrate being Palisadians.”
Once a neglected section of Palisades Park, Veterans Gardens was reborn through community effort and local donations, transforming a barren patch of ground into a lush gathering space. Conceived by residents including Dunne and Bill McGregor, the Gardens symbolize the Palisades’ enduring commitment to unity and resilience.
Since its founding, nearly a thousand residents have participated in the bocce leagues, which now feature multiple divisions such as the Dolphin League on Tuesday mornings and the Sunset League on Wednesday evenings. The games have sparked friendships that stretch far beyond the courts — from neighborhood dinners to Palm Springs getaways.
“The beauty of it,” Dunne added, “is that many of these teams started as strangers. Now they’re cheering for each other, going out to eat, celebrating birthdays, and traveling together. That’s what belonging looks like.”
Beyond the competition, Veterans Gardens has become a central gathering place for the community — hosting picnics, family celebrations, and quiet afternoons under the shade of newly planted trees. Dunne calls it “a garden that is a mirror of who we were, who we are, and who we dream to become.”
For many in the Palisades, the revival of activity at Veterans Gardens represents more than just recreation. It’s a sign of renewal — proof that after tragedy, the bonds of community continue to grow stronger.
Residents interested in joining future bocce leagues or learning more about Veterans Gardens can visit www.veteransgardens.com.
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