WELCOMING A GREAT NEW SOCCER VENUE
Dedication of NIKE synthetic fields at Lafayette Community Center


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks, in partnership with the NIKE Corporation, the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles (AAF) and the Heart of Los Angeles Organization (HOLA), dedicated two new NIKE synthetic soccer fields at Lafayette Community Center on Thursday, September 28, 2006.

NIKE and the AAF donated $300,000 for three "Joga Bonito" soccer fields to be built at two different Department parks in Los Angeles. NIKE's "Joga Bonito" fields, Portuguese for "Play Beautiful", are designed to introduce the Brazilian futsal-style of small-field soccer that emphasizes ball control and foot skills to youth.

The two "mini-pitch" fields at Lafayette have replaced a dirt field at the southwest portion of the park. Each field is 75 feet by 100 feet and located adjacent to one another. This side-by-side configuration allows for 3-on-3 play within each individual field and 5-on-5 play by combining both into a 150 foot by 100 foot soccer field.

The new soccer fields have a synthetic surface known as FieldTurf. FieldTurf Inc., a leading producer fo synthetic turf, creates athletic surfaces by using NIKE Grind material recycled from footwear manufacturing and worn out or outdated shoes. For each field constructed, approximately 75,000 pairs of shoes and many pounds of rubber waste will not end up in landfills.



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

THE START OF A NEW RECREATION SITE
Groundbreaking for Lexington Avenue Park in Hollywood


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks broke ground to mark the start of construction on Lexington Avenue Pocket Park on Saturday, September 16, 2006.

The new parkland will be approximately 15,000-square-feet and will feature a dual basketball/volleyball court, picnic tables, benches, game tables and play equipment that meets Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility requirements.

What will make this park unique is the various art elements that will be incorporated into the new park's design. California artist, Ricardo Mendoza has created two murals that will cover the north and east walls, a steel entry gate designed in the shape of a tree and eight ornamental spiral inserts that will be incorporated into the front fence.

The pocket park has truly been a community effort. Community meetings were held by Council District 13, to obtain input from community members about the new park's design and art elements.

The Community Redevelopment Agency has provided funding for the art elements and associated installation fees. Additional funding for the $1.4 million project will come from Prop 12, the City's general fund, a federal grant and developer fees.

The Architectural Division of the Bureau of Engineering in the City's Public Works Department designed the park, in conjunction with the Department of Recreation and Parks. Thomsen Landscape of Reseda is the general contractor.


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

DODGER DREAM FIELD IN KOREATOWN
Dedication of new baseball facility at Seoul International Park


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with the Dodgers Dream Foundation, Amateur Athletic Foundation and the Department of Public Works dedicated the newest Dodger Dream Field at Seoul International Park on Saturday, September 16, 2006.

The new field at Seoul is the Department's 7th Dodger Dream Field and boasts a synthetic turf surface. Other features include bleachers, covered dugouts, a state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard, a terraced seating area, irrigation system, additional landscape, fencing and lighting.

The Dodgers Dream Foundation was created in 1998 to provide educational, athletic and recreational opportunities for the youth of the Greater Los Angeles community. The Dodger Dream Fields program is the Foundation's signature initiative.

Funding for the $1.175 million improvement came from Propositions K, 12 and 40.



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