A GREAT NEW PLACE TO PLAY IN SOUTH L.A.
Dedication of community center and NIKE B-ball court


Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks has dedicated a new community center and outdoor NIKE basketball court at Green Meadows Recreation Center in South Los Angeles.

Features of the 10,584-square-foot facility include a gymnasium with a regulation-size basketball court with bleachers for 80 spectators and two electronic scoreboards. The new multi-use center also has a classroom for youth activities, a courtyard area and outdoor stage, lobby, staff office space, kitchen and restrooms that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The new facility was designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture of Santa Monica and built by Tobo Construction, Inc. of Los Angeles. The Department of Public Works' Bureau of Engineering managed the project through its Recreation and Cultural Facilities Program. Funding for the $3.8 million improvements came from Propositions K and 12.

NIKE donated $70,000 for a new outdoor basketball court that was built by Atlas Construction Company and which boasts a 3/8-inch synthetic surface and includes four new backboards with rims. The NIKE court is the first one in the Department with a synthetic surface.

For many years, NIKE has had a partnership with FieldTurf, a leading producer of synthetic turf, to create some of the finest athletic surfaces in the world. FieldTurf's high-performance synthetic turf features NIKE Grind material recycled from footwear manufacturing to help athletes and active kids play their best game possible.

Green Meadows Recreation Center is located at 431 E. 89th Street in South Los Angeles.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

OPERATION SPLASH IS IN EFFECT
Kick-off ceremony at North Hollywood pool


Los Angeles -The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks kicked-off a new aquatics program called "Operation Splash" on Friday, June 23, 2006 at North Hollywood Pool. Operation Splash is a public/private partnership between the Department of Rec and Parks and Kaiser Permanente.

The mission of Operation Splash is to improve access to aquatic facilities and swim programs in low-income areas, to increase physical activity and help diminish the risk of chronic diseases and build strong bodies. Program participants will become water-safe in a fun and healthy environment.

Kaiser's $1.2 million donation will extend the summer swim season by two weeks, provide free swim lessons and supplies (swimsuit, goggles, towel and sunscreen) to qualifying children and adults, offer free family swim days and other special events and provide aquatic improvements.

Also, the Department's "Free Swim Program" will make it possible for children age 17 or younger, seniors age 65 or older, and the disabled to swim for free at all City pools. Children age 6 or younger must be potty-trained and accompanied by an adult at all times.

Thanks to Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, all adults who have a City Library Card can also swim free; otherwise, the charge for patrons ages 18-64 will be $1.50 per swimming session.

Residents can contact their nearest pool, or the Department's Aquatics Division at (323)906-7953, for more information. Individual pool brochures can be viewed and downloaded at www.lapraks.org (Directory of Services, Aquatics, and select year-round or seasonal).



MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A SPECIAL COMMUNITY OASIS IN THE VALLEY
Grand opening for Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park in Porter Ranch

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks held a grand opening celebration for Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park on Saturday, June 24, 2006.

The new facility is located in the northwest San Fernando Valley and is named in honor of the daughter of former Los Angeles City Councilmember Hal Bernson, who represented the area for nearly 25 years. The celebration was sponsored by the Porter Ranch Development Company and included a family picnic and barbeque for the surrounding community.

The new parkland features a children's play area, restrooms, 2 basketball courts and a baseball diamond. Holleigh Bernson is located at 20500 Sesnon Blvd. in Porter Ranch and is open from dawn to dusk.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

BETTER B-BALL COURTS
8 New hoops facilities from Fox Sports Net West


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with Fox Sports Net West dedicated both new and improved basketball courts at eight different recreation centers the week of May 29-June 2, 2006. Fox Sports Net (FSN) West and FSN West 2 gifted the Department with five new and three refurbished basketball courts at facilities throughout the City.

The eight centers that recieved new hoops facilities from FSN West are Slauson Recreation Center, Chatsworth South Recreation Center, Glassell Park, 109th Street, David M. Gonzales Recreation Center, Palms Recreation Center, Branford and Highland Park Recreation Centers.

Each of these centers had at least one highly deteriorated, outdoor, asphalt basketball court which had been on a priority list for refurbishment or replacement as soon as funds were available. Work on the courts required patching, and coating in some cases, and in others the asphalt had to be torn out, the underlying soil re-compacted, and all new asphalt caps applied. Each new court also received new backboards to complete the make-over process.

The basketball court reconstruction broke ground January 30, 2006 with the dual goal of promoting physical activity and creating an inviting, attractive community environment. The projects' completion was marked by dedication ceremonies at Slauson, Palms, Highland and Branford Recreation Centers.

The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is proud to have been able to team up with Fox Sports Net West to improve the neighborhood playing conditions, and to make the basketball dreams of boys and girls throughout the City come true!



MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711