A COMMUNITY EFFORT

Elysian Park-Riverside Park Groundbreaking Ceremony

Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Elysian Park-Riverside Outdoor Improvement Park Project -Phase 1 on August 17, 2010 with Councilman Garcetti, Chief Deputy City Engineer Deborah Weintraub and community members. The celebration marked the start of construction on the first 5-acres of an undeveloped 18-acre site.

The City purchased the 18-acres of property in 1999 and held community outreach meetings to decide the park's design. The Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park played a huge role in the process. The site contains two relatively flat areas separated by a slope between the lower and mid-level of the property, which will be used for the active recreation development of the park. Due to limited funding the park will be developed in phases.

When complete Phase 1 will feature two multipurpose game courts, passive recreation lawn areas, picnic tables, a children's playground, trails, an outdoor classroom and a new permeable parking lot.

The $900,000 project, which is being funded by Proposition 40, is expected to be complete in the Spring of 2011. For more information on this project call (213) 202-2700 or visit the Department website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Esptein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689