GLIDING INTO THE WINTER SEASON

12th annual Downtown on Ice at Pershing Square

Los Angeles - It's time to pull out and dust off your scarves and mittens or maybe just a long sleeved shirt, depending on the L.A. weather!! Downtown on Ice (DOI) at Pershing Square is back for its 12th season.

The Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with Councilwoman Jan Perry celebrated the official opening of Downtown on Ice at Pershing Square on Friday, November 20, 2009 with special guests Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and The Grinch.

Performances by L.A. Ice Theater's Youth Ensemble, Olympic bound two-time National Pairs Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubacker and a musical number from The Grinch kicked-off the opening ceremony, which was emceed by Mayor Villaraigosa.

With a low admission price, DOI is the coolest way to add a little winter chill to the holidays without spending a lot of money. The outdoor ice rink is open seven days a week through January 18, 2010. An hour on the 70-foot by 50-foot rink is $6, plus $2 for skate rentals. Metro and MetroLink riders can get a $1 discount by showing a coupon which is available on all mass transit lines.

Downtown on Ice is open Monday through Thursday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Friday through Sunday 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. There will be special extended holiday hours starting December 18 through January 10, when the rink will be open EVERYDAY from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. DOI will also be open on all of the major holidays; Thanksgiving Day from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Christmas Day from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, New Years Day from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Martin Luther King Day from 11:00 to 10:00 pm.

For the first time this year, Mommy and Me Stroller Skate sessions will be offered on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 am to 11:00 am (December 1, 8, 15 and January 12). New mothers can now share in the fun by pushing their bundles of joy in their strollers onto the ice.

Beyond skating, a medley of FREE events including a winter concert series, Winter Holiday Festival, championship skating exhibitions and much more will be offered at Pershing Square throughout the Downtown on Ice season.

Pershing Square is located in the heart of downtown at 532 South Olive Street 90013. Underground discount parking is available with rink validation. For more information and a detailed session/event schedule go to http://www.laparks.org/pershingsquare/doi.html or call (213) 847-4970.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

TAKE A MINI-TRAIN RIDE TO THE NORTH POLE
7th annual "Train Ride to Visit Santa" at Travel Town Museum

Los Angeles - ALL ABOARD!!! Grab your winter gloves and beanies, we're going to visit SANTA!
The 7th annual Train Ride to Visit Santa holiday program at Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park will begin the weekend of Saturday, November 28-29, 2009.

From 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm both nights, passengers will take a short trip aboard the Santa Express miniature train to the North Pole, where they can tour jolly old Saint Nick's residence and visit with Santa as he prepares for his annual global travelling. Mrs. Claus will be the evening's hostess, giving visitors an inside scoop about life at the top of the world.

The return trip will go through a wonderland of holiday lights, scenery and music. The holiday program is put on by Travel Town Railroad, weather permitting, in cooperation with the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Additional dates for this special holiday presentation are December 4-6, 11-13 and 16-23, and those planning to go should dress for cold weather. Tickets are $7 per person; children 18 months old or younger can ride for FREE and parking is also FREE. Digital photos with Santa can be purchased for $5, or guests can take their own photos for FREE.

Given the popularity of the attraction, buying tickets in advance at the Travel Town ticket booth or online at www.gprah.com/organization/christmas.htm is suggested. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the gate.

Travel Town Museum is located at 5200 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles 90027. For more information about the Train Ride to Visit Santa call (818) 881-2586 or (323) 662-9678.





MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694
Harvey Drut: (213) 202-2696

A PLACE WHERE THE PAST MEETS THE PRESENT

Dedication of Gilbert Lindsay Recreation Center

Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks proudly dedicated a new recreation center at Gilbert Lindsay on Thursday, November 12, 2009. General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, Commissioner Johnathan Williams, Councilwoman Jan Perry and local residents all helped celebrate the South Los Angeles facility's opening.

The inspiration for the new building came from it's unique history as the site of the original Wrigley Field Ballpark, which hosted local minor league baseball teams for over 30 years and was once home to the Los Angeles Angels. The design layout, which includes a center height tower highlighting the entrance and two smaller side towers, mimics the entrance to a ballpark open field through it's auditorium tunnel.

The project consisted of the construction of a one-story recreation building that includes a large multipurpose room, an office, warming kitchen and new electric, storage and maintenance rooms. There are ADA compliant unisex restrooms inside and outside of the new 2,400-square-foot center. The project also included the resurfacing of the outdoor basketball courts, new lighting, installation of a chain link fence, a new asphalt-paved parking lot and access driveway; along with a new irrigation system, trees and other landscaping improvements.

The $2.3 million project was designed by Public Works' Bureau of Engineering and constructed by Los Angeles Engineering, Inc. Funding was provided by Quimby Funds and Propositions K, 12 and 40.

Gilbert Lindsay Recreation Center is located at 429 East 42nd Street in Los Angeles 90011. The historic location offers 18 acres of great ethnic diversity, including two synthetic soccer fields and a skate park. Their classes and programs range from arts and crafts, senior citizen fitness and cooking. For more information on this location, please call the center directly at (323) 846-7584.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

HOLIDAY HIKES TO THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN
Nature walks to the internationally renowned icon led by a Park Ranger

LOS ANGELES – Need a good walk to make-up for all the turkey you’re going to eat on Thanksgiving? Want to find a fun and inexpensive activity to do with your family and/or friends for the Holiday weekend? Join Ranger Ernie Ybarra on a free nature hike to the Hollywood sign in Griffith Park!

A pair of free nature walks in Griffith Park will be offered during the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday weekend by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. The excursions will take place Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. each day. The intermediate level hike will be four to six miles and is designed for those who have some previous hiking experience.

Park Ranger Ernie Ybarra will lead the treks, which will start at the Griffith Park Visitor Center, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., adjacent to the Ranger Station. Those planning to participate should dress accordingly and bring drinking water and snacks.

The walks are part of the 2009 series of hikes of different skill levels to locations in Griffith Park, including Amir’s Garden (Saturday, November 21), Vista del Valle, Dante’s View, and Captain’s Roost. For more information about any of the hikes, contact Ranger Ernie Ybarra at (323) 644-6661, extension 1549, or by e-mail at ernie.ybarra@lacity.org.




MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694
Harvey Drut: (213) 202-2696

WELCOME BACK, FREMONT POOL

Opening ceremony for the year-round facility

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) in partnership with LAUSD opened the Fremont Pool on Friday, November 13, 2009. Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Councilwoman Jan Perry and RAP General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri were all in attendance for the first big splash.

The event celebrated the completion of much-needed improvements at the year-round pool located at Fremont High School. The project included the repair of plumbing lines, installation of a new roof, painting of the entire facility, electrical and HVAC upgrades and installation of spectator guardrail.

The Fremont High School Swimming, Diving and Water Polo teams were all on hand to test the water in the improved pool. Fremont pool is located at 7630 Towne Avenue in Los Angeles 90003 and offers a variety of aquatic programs for L.A. residents. Adult lap swimming, swim lessons, novice synchronized swimming, springboard diving team and CPR classes are all provided at the year-round pool. For a full listing of programs call the pool directly (213) 847-3401 or the Aquatics Division at (323) 906-7953.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

A NEW SAFE & FRIENDLY PLACE TO PLAY

Dedication of Wilmington Vest Park in the Cruces Community

Wilmington - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks proudly dedicated Wilmington Vest Park in the Cruces Community on Monday, October 26, 2009. Pacific Region Superintendent Mark Mariscal, Councilwoman Janice Hahn, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and local residents were all on hand to help cut the red ribbon and dedicate the new pocket park.

The Wilmington Vest project transformed a vacant and dilapidated .13 acre lot into a safe and friendly park for the Cruces community to enjoy. The new park's state-of-the-art playground features swings, slides, climbing structures and a rubber play surface. There are also new ADA-approved drinking fountains and benches at the neighborhood recreation area. Colorful murals surround the park, encouraging fun and unity.

Wilmington Vest Park is located at 1300 East O Street (at the intersection of Watson Street) in Wilmington 90744. For more information on this location or the Department, please call (213) 202-2700 or visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

GHOST AND GOBLINS, OH MY!!!
2009 RAP Halloween Celebrations

Los Angeles – Halloween is right around the corner! Do you know what you’re doing to celebrate the SPOOKTACULAR holiday? The Department of Recreation and Parks has a wide variety of spooky events happening throughout the City for everyone to enjoy.

Here’s a list of a few thrills that are sure to send chills your way:

Ride a Haunted Halloween Railroad at Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum in Griffith Park. The 11th annual Ghost Train Halloween attraction will be offered October 23-25 and October 29-31 from 7 pm to 10 pm each night. The miniature train will depart from “Scarewood” Station and travel through devilish displays of spooky spirits, creepy clowns, witches, vampire babies and other assorted frightful fiends. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person. For more information call (323) 661-8958 or visit http://www.lals.org/.

Walk if you dare or run if you’re scared through the Haunted House at Cabrillo Beach Bath House from 6 pm to 10 pm on October 23-24 and October 30-31. For more information call (310) 548-7554.

Candy, Music, Games, Prizes and a Mini-Haunted House will all be part of Cypress Park’s Halloween Festival on Friday, October 30 from 5 pm to 9 pm. The free event is open to all ages. For more information call (213) 485-5384.

The Monster Mash is sure to be a playing at Denker Recreation Center’s Halloween Teen Dance. The $1 Halloween boogie is open to teens 13-18 with a school ID. Teens can practice their THRILLER moves from 7 pm – 11 pm on Friday, October 30. For more information call (323) 733-8367.

CALLING ALL COSTUMED CANINES!! Yucca Community Center is hosting a Dog Costume Contest on Friday, October 30 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Come and enter your furry Spiderman, Frankenstein, Bumble Bee or Hot Dog or just watch the fun. For more information call (323) 957-6339.

Pan Pacific Recreation Center is hosting a Halloween Carnival on October 31 from 12 pm – 4 pm. Games, a Reptile Show and Costume Contest are just some of the spooky treats that will be offered. For more information call (323) 939-8874.

For all the die hard skaters out there, Pedlow Skate Park in Encino is hosting a SCARY Skate Contest from 12 pm to 4 pm on Halloween Day. Show off your Frankenstein ollies, Vampire kick flips and goblin board slides at the “Tricks 4 Treats” Skate Contest. For more information call (818) 266-6991.

Visit Sylmar Recreation Center’s “Trick or Treat City” and Halloween Carnival on October 31 from 5 pm – 9 pm. Local businesses will come together to create “Trick or Treat City” and hand out candy to visitors. A costume contest and carnival rides are just a few of the festivities being offered. For more information call (818) 367-5665.

To find a Halloween event in your neighborhood or to see the full list of Department events visit http://www.laparks.org/pdf/halloweenevents.pdf.

Remember, safety is important to having a Happy Halloween! Here are a few safety tips for your ghostly agenda:

- Help your child pick out or make a costume that will be safe. Make sure it is fire proof and the eye holes should be large enough for good peripheral vision.

- Plan a safe route to know where your older kids will be at all times. Instruct them to stay on main streets and not to cut through alleyways or dark places.

- Younger children should always be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating.

- Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be checked.

- Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape to make them more visible to cars.

- Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses.

- Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist) and do NOT cross between parked cars.

The Department of Recreation and Parks wishes you a HAPPY, SAFE and SPOOKTACULAR Halloween!!!

THE LONG AWAITED & MUCH ANTICIPATED....

VENICE BEACH SKATE PLAZA OPENING

Venice Beach - Venice Beach is known as a vibrant and eclectic Southern California beach that attracts millions of tourists yearly. But skaters know this special place as DOGTOWN, the birthplace of progressive skateboarding in the 1970's.

Saturday, October 3, 2009 was a historical day for Venice Beach skaters who have waited a long time for a place to call their own. At 11 am hundreds of skaters and spectators joined the Department of Recreation and Parks and Councilmember Bill Rosendahl in opening the VENICE BEACH SKATE PLAZA!!

Design input from local skating professionals helped make the Venice Beach Skate Plaza one of the most challenging arenas for skaters to ride. The 16,000-square-foot facility has four major components; a deep pool, street terrain course, snake run and flow bowl. The $3.4 million plaza's unique design combines both street and vert skating, allowing skateboarders to flow in and out of the two different styles.

With a maximum vertical differential of up to 9 feet, the deep pool allows for lots of speed in a single entry/exit run. The street terrain course simulates a streetscape environment with steps, rails, planters, curbs and driveways. For an old school skateboarding experience, skaters can carve from bank to bank through the snake run. The flow bowl provides maximum momentum for continuous multiple entries/exits in a single run.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, Commission President Barry Sanders, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore and professional skateboarders Jesse Martinez, Jay Adams and Tony Alva were all on hand to help cut the red ribbon and officially open the Venice Beach Skate Plaza.

The new skate plaza is the 12th skate facility run by the Department of Recreation and Parks. Located near Windward Avenue and Ocean Front Walk, the skate plaza has an amazing view of the ocean and will provide a much-needed haven for local and visiting skateboarders.

Venice Beach has always been a hot spot for skaters from around the corner and world to test their skills. The new skate plaza will help continue that tradition!

For more information on this location, please call (213) 202-2700 or visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689