Thursday, March 31, 2011


























A VERT & STREET SKATING MECCA

Grand Opening of Lincoln Park Skate Spot


East Los Angeles - They had been waiting for weeks. Watching and anticipating what the new Lincoln Park Skate Spot would look like, feel like and flow like. And then the day finally came when the skate spot was complete and a new vert and street mecca was born. Hundreds of local skateboarders flocked to Lincoln Park Skate Spot for the grand opening to test out the new spot made just for them!


The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) in partnership with the LA84 Foundation, NIKE Skateboarding, the Paul Rodriguez Skateboarding Foundation and Councilmember Ed P. Reyes proudly dedicated the redesigned Lincoln Park Skate Spot on Saturday, March 5, 2011.


Lincoln Park Skate Spot blends vert and street skating and features hubba ledges, rails, a mini double-set, flat bar and Euro gap. A snake run at the top of the skate spot completes the unique design. The new skate spot also has a section where fans can watch skaters grind and ollie. The park was designed and built by California Skateparks with help from key employee and legendary professional skateboarder Lance Mountain.


After the official ceremony and a quick Q & A session with professional skateboarder Paul "P-Rod" Rodriguez, Nike SB team riders Omar Salazar, Theotis Beasley, Rodrigo Peterson, Danny Supa, Daniel Lebron, Shane O'Neill and Lance Mountain, joined P-Rod and tested out the new spot and then signed autographs for fans.


The new Skate Spot is the Department's 15th skateboarding facility. Lincoln Park is located at 3501 Valley Blvd in East Los Angeles 90031. For more information on this location or other skate parks run by the City of Los Angeles visit our facebook page "SKATE IN LA".




MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia: 818.243.6488


Tuesday, March 29, 2011









ALL AGES & ALL ABILITIES ARE WELCOMED

Dearborn Park UAP Dedication


Northridge - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) in partnership with Shane's Inspiration proudly dedicated the City of Los Angeles' 18th Universally Accessible Playground (UAP) at Dearborn Park on Saturday, March 5, 2011.


The new UAP boasts a sea life theme and features decorating paneling, such as dolphins and whales, throughout the playground. Approximately 6,600-square-feet, Dearborn's Universally Accessible Playground has 2 separate playgrounds for 2-5 year-olds and 5-12 year-olds. The wheel-chair accessible play area has resilient rubberized surfacing, a sand pit, shade canopies, cool mister, benches and a drinking fountain. The $723,000 all access playground was funded by Proposition 40 and designed by Shane's Inspiration with help from Public Works' Bureau of Engineering.


The Dearborn UAP is an exciting and important addition for the neighborhood park. The new UAP is completely wheel-chair accessible and can be utilized by children of all ages and all abilities. RAP and Shane's Inspiration are proud to be providing the Northridge community with a playground that will help bring all children together to play and learn from each other. Dearborn Park is located at 17141 Nordhoff Street in Northridge 91330.






MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

Thursday, March 24, 2011












A PLETHORA OF IMPROVEMENTS

Norman O. Houston Park Improvement Project


Los Angeles - A neighborhood park with a breath-taking view, Norman O. Houston Park has always been a special place for residents to come together for play, recreation and relaxation. Now, after the dedication of a plethora of improvements, Houston Park will provide even more recreational opportunities for the L.A. community.


The Department of Recreation and Parks, along with Councilmember Bernard C. Parks (8th District) and the Houston Family celebrated the Norman O. Houston Park Improvement Project Dedication on Friday, March 4, 2011.



The improvement project included the installation of a half-mile natural surface jogging path, outdoor fitness equipment, benches, picnic tables, solar security lighting, playground equipment, smart irrigation system and new landscaping, including 25 large canopy trees.


RAP also unveiled and dedicated a new commemorative plaque, recognizing the amazing man the park is named after. Norman Olivier Houston, a pioneer of the Black Industry, was the co-founder of the largest black-owned insurance company west of the Mississippi, the first Black American elected to the California State Athletic Association, co-founder and chairman of the Board of Broadway Federal Savings and Loan Association (which in 1980 was the largest black-owned savings and loan in California) and he also served as President of the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP and was a member of Los Angeles' first Human Rights Commission. Mr. Houston was an incredible individual and RAP is honored to have a park in his memory that will provide residents with a positive place to come together and enjoy the numerous park amenities.


Norman O. Houston Park is located at 4800 South La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles 90008. The park is open everyday from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.





MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein. 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488













A PLAYFUL IMPROVEMENT
Dedication of Hermon Park Playground


East Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) and Councilmember Jose Huizar (14th District) proudly dedicated a new state-of-the-art playground at Hermon Park on Thursday, March 3, 2011.

The new playground is ADA-compliant and features swings, slides, climbing apparatuses and rubberized surfacing. The project also included additional security lighting throughout the park and new irrigation.
RAP is excited to be providing the local community with a new playground for their families to enjoy! Hermon Park is located at 5568 Via Marisol in Los Angeles 90042. The park is an unstaffed location and is open to the public from dawn to dusk. For more information call RAP's general information line at 213.202.2700.





MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 23.202.2690
BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488













A SNEAK PREVIEW
Open House for Ascot Hills Park Phase II

East Los Angeles - Community members near Ascot Hills Park in the El Sereno area received a special treat on Wednesday, March 2, 2011. The Department of Recreation and Parks and Councilmember Jose Huizar (14th District) hosted an Open House to preview the Ascot Hills Park Phase II improvements. Councilmember Huizar, RAP General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri and community members came together to see the park's development so far.

The Councilmember, General Manager and Park Advisory Board President Val Marquez each said a few words about the much-anticipated Ascot Hills project, while Wilson High School Band and Cheerleaders provided entertainment.

Open House visitors were then led on tours by RAP Park Rangers to preview the the progress of Ascot's improvements, which include an outdoor amphitheater/classroom, ADA paths, full stream restoration, picnic areas, irrigation and native landscaping.

When complete, Ascot Hills will be one of the largest parks in the City of Los Angeles. The parkland features a 360-view of downtown L.A., the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding mountains. Ascot will provide local residents and visitors with a beautiful natural parkland in the middle of the City of Angels.

Ascot Hills Park has been a difficult but worthy fight. Development plans for the 92-acre parkland were put on hold in December 2008 due to the State funding freeze of Proposition 40. With the funds now available and determination from Councilmember Huizar, RAP and community members, Ascot Hills Park Phase II is set to be complete and officially dedicated in mid-April 2011. Ascot Hills Park is located at 4731 Multnomah Street in Los Angeles 90032.




MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690
BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488






Monday, March 14, 2011


Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa taking the first basketball shot in Lafayette's new gymnasium.












HOLA, LAFAYETTE PARK RECREATION CENTER
Celebrating a new state-of-the-art facility and a powerful partnership
Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and the Everychild Foundation celebrated the Grand Opening of the new $9.8 million Lafayette Recreation Center in Central Los Angeles on Thursday, February 24, 2011.
The new 15,000-square-foot facility was designed by the award winning firm Kanner Architects and features brand new multipurpose classroom spaces, a technology lab and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. The eco-friendly center is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified - Green Building and is designed to be energy efficient. The gymnasium uses only natural light during the day and solar lighting is used throughout the building. The Lafayette Park Recreation Center project was funded by Proposition K, Quimby fees and a generous gift of $700,000+ from HOLA.
Lafayette Park's new Recreation Center is a result of the historic public-private partnership between RAP and HOLA. RAP and HOLA have formed an innovative partnership and are both dedicated to supporting local community needs. Lafayette's transformation was created with the goal of providing a versatile campus that would provide exceptional academic, arts, recreation and athletic programs to the surrounding underserved community. The new Recreation Center will house joint RAP and HOLA programs, covering a myriad of activities benefiting youth and their families from the local community.
The opening of Lafayette marked an important milestone for RAP and the City of Los Angeles. Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, City Controller Wendy Greuel, Councilmember Herb J. Wesson and City Engineer Gary Lee Moore were all on hand to help celebrate and cut the ceremonial red ribbon.
Lafayette Park Recreation Center is located at 625 South Lafayette Park Place in Los Angeles 90057. RAP is very proud to provide the Lafayette community with a new Recreation Center that will increase recreational opportunities and positive programming. Thank you, HOLA, you are a great friend and an awesome partner!!!