RAP COOLING CENTERS

All Recreation Centers and Senior Citizen Centers will be serving as cooling sites

Los Angeles - With record temperatures bringing on the extreme HEAT, the Department of Recreation and Parks has some cool solutions for you! All Recreation Centers and Senior Citizen Centers are being utilized as cooling centers. So, if you're in need of a cool spot to chill out at, stop by your nearest Recreation Center or Senior Center.

All RAP sites will be open with regular hours, typically ranging from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (depending on locations), and are open to the public. Additionally, selected Recreation Centers and Senior Centers located in the Valley will have extended hours from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm, beginning Saturday, September 25 through Wednesday, September 29.

Those centers are:

- North Hollywood Senior Citizen Center, 11430 Chandler Blvd, North Hollywood

-Sepulveda Rec Center/Mid-Valley Senior Citizen Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Panorama City

-Sunland Park Senior Citizen Center, 8640 Fenwick Street, Sunland

-Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Avenue, Sylmar

-Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Senior Citizen Center, 5040 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks

-Wilkinson Senior Citizen Center, 8956 Vanalden Avenue, Northridge

Some helpful hints to beat the heat!

-Turn off lights when not in use

-Adjust thermostat to 78 degrees to reduce energy usage

-Limit the use of appliances during peak hours of the day

-Try to avoid cooking during peak hours of the day since it will add to the heat inside the home

-Ventilate your home at night by opening windows and doors to clear out the heat and allow cooler air to circulate

During periods of excessive heat there is an increased risk of heat exhaustion,

heat cramps and sunstroke.

Here's what you can do when the weather gets extremely hot:

-Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun

-Stay on the lowest floor our of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available

-Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls and other community facilities

-Eat well balanced, light and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician

-Drink plenty of water

-Limit intake of alcoholic beverages

-Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible

-Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat

-Check on family, seniors, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

-Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles

-Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks

For more information or to locate a cooling center near you, call (213) 202-2700. City Libraries are also serving as cooling centers for locations call (213) 228-7000. Be safe and stay COOL, Los Angeles!

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

CELEBRATING THE NEW

ROBERT L. BURNS PARK

Dedication of improvements and plaque unveiling

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks celebrated the completion of the improvement project and unveiling of a memorial bronze plaque at Robert L. Burns Park on September 23, 2010.

Park upgrades included new playground equipment, water fountains that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, decomposed granite pathways, fencing, a new water system and restrooms. The Department of Water and Power funded a portion of the project which replaced the entire water system with a smart irrigation system.

The $270,000 project was funded by developer fees. RAP Planning and Construction designed the improvements and performed the work. In addition, the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council provided benches and trees, and the Windsor Square - Hancock Park Historical Society painted the exterior fence and paid for and will maintain the plaque, which will serve as a monument to Robert L. Burns.

Robert L. Burns (1876-1956) served as City Council President and representative of the Fourth District from 1931 to 1945. He was also President of the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners. Burns was known for championing the City he loved and for his strong leadership during war time and economic crisis. The park was named for him in 1959 in honor of his 30 years of public service.

Robert L. Burns Park is located in the Hancock Park area at 4900 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90004. For more information on this location please call (213) 202-2700 or visit the Department website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

CHARMETTE BONPUA SAFE SPOT SKATE SPOT

Dedication at Rancho Cienega Sports Complex

Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks has another Safe Spot Skate Spot thanks to our generous partner, professional skateboarder, Rob Dyrdek. Rancho Cienega Sports Complex's skate spot is the Department's fourth collaboration with The Rob Dyrdek Foundation and is the second Safe Spot Skate Spot in Council District 10.

The new 15,000-square-foot skate plaza has been named in memory of Charmette Bonpua, Councilmember Herb Wesson's late Chief of Staff who passed away in February. Bonpua was a dedicated City employee, community advocate and former Chief Deputy to Councilman Wesson. The skate spot stands as a testament to Charmette's commitment to improving recreational opportunities for Los Angeles residents.

The $300,000 project all started with a $50,000 donation from The Rob Dyrdek Foundation for the design and construction of the new skate plaza. The Department of Recreation and Parks and Councilman Wesson worked together to secure an additional $250,000 in funds to complete the construction and landscaping improvements for the new skate spot.

The Charmette Bonpua Safa Spot Skate Spot incorporates street skate style themes and features stairs, rails and ledges. The new skate spot will provide a much needed legal and safe skate facility for local and visiting skateboarders. "Our kids love skateboarding. Unfortunately, there are so few places in our community where they can safely skate," noted Councilman Wesson. "This new state-of-the-art facility is going to make a tremendous difference for our kids."

Rancho Cienega's Charmette Bonpua Safe Spot Skate Spot is located at 5001 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles 90016. For more information on this location or the Department visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700. You can also visit our Skate LA FaceBook Page.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Andrea Epstein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

A NATURAL SETTING IN THE SUBURBS

Dedication of Bandini Canyon Trail Park in San Pedro

San Pedro - The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated Bandini Canyon Trail Park in San Pedro on August 19, 2010. Lying between two rows of residences and an elementary school, the new park is truly a natural setting in the suburbs.

The 4.9-acre parkland features a pedestrian nature trail, children's playground with resilient surfacing, native landscaping, benches and interpretive signage. The project also included security lighting, new irrigation, perimeter fencing and gates. The natural canyon setting achieves the community vision of an open space sanctuary, a family gathering place and restored habitat.

The $2.3 million project was designed by RRM Design Group of San Luis Obispo and built by Bitech Construction Company, Inc. Funding was provided by the federal Community Development Block Grant program, Proposition 40 and developer fees. The Architectural Division in the Bureau of Engineering of the Department of Public Works co-managed the project with the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI).

The improvement project was realized thanks to a partnership between the Department of Recreation and Parks and LANI, a non-profit organization dedicated to catalytic neighborhood revitalization through public improvement projects and community-driven planning for the past 16 years. The participation of area residents was key to the success of the project.

Bandini Canyon Trail Park is located at North Marshall Court, between Sepulveda Street and Oliver Street, in San Pedro 90731. For more information on this location call (213) 202-2700 or visit the Department website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Andrea Epstein: (213) 202-2690

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689