RENEE'S PLACE AT PAN PACIFIC

Dedication of a new Universally Accessible Playground

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated Renee's Place, a new Universally Accessible Plyaground at Pan Pacific Park on Monday, April 21, 2008.

The new UAP is dedicated to Renee Weitzer, Chief of Staff and Planning Deputy for Council District 4. For almost 30 years, Renee worked closely with the community to restore and rebuild the facilities and grounds at Pan Pacific Park, as well as parks throughout Los Angeles. She has nurtured this park's development and demanded the best for it. This play area symbolizes Renee's goals for Pan Pacific Park because it is beautiful, fun and accessible to every child, young and old.

Renee's Place has two play areas, one section for two to five-year-olds and another section for five to twelve-year-olds. Each play area has a swing set and shade structures. The UAP also has colorful resilient rubberized surfacing and benches embellished with whimsical artist created tiles.

The five to twelve-year-old area is in the shape of a train. Sound features include a train engine, whistle and sound of a train going over tracks. Another special feature of the 17,000-square-foot playground is a foot path with a water element that will provide a unique sensory activity, complete with gentle mist.

The $848,408 project was jointly designed by the Department of Recreation and Parks, Shane's Inspiration, Melendrez Design Partners and the Bureau of Engineering's Architectural Division. The Bureau's Recreational and Cultural Facilities Program managed the project, which was built by Thomsen Landscape. Funding came from Prop. K, the City General Funds and a $200,000 donation from Legacy Partners, Inc.

Renee's Place is the 9th UAP operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks. The playground is a Shane's Inspiration project and is completely wheelchair accessible. The new play area will provide an opportunity for children of all abilities to play together on an equal basis.

This new UAP brings the Department closer to accomplishing our goal to have over 20 Universally Accessible Playgrounds throughout the City of Los Angeles.

Pan Pacific is located at 7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles 90036. For more information on the new playground or the Department in general visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 928-9200.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

Harvey Drut: (213) 928-9296