SKATING & GRINDING, SLIDING & SWINGING

Dedication of Westchester Skate Plaza & Playground

Westchester - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) dedicated our 17th skate facility at Westchester Recreation Center on Friday, July 22, 2011. RAP's Commission President Barry A. Sanders and General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri were joined by Councilmember Bill Rosendahl (11th Distict), Charles Annenberg Weingarten and professional skateboarders Eric Koston and Steve Berra to officially open the and dedicate the Westchester "Explore.org/ The Berrrics" Skate Plaza along with a new accessible playground and other park improvements.

The new 9,700-square-foot skate plaza was made possible through RAP funding and a $125,000 grant from the Annenberg Foundation's Explore.org, a non-profit capacity building initiative. Westchester's "Explore.org/The Berrics" Skate Plaza was built by California Skateparks and features a variety of elements such as stair sets, rails and hubbas and is designed for hardcore street skating. Professional Skateboarders Luan Oliviera, David Gonzales, Curren Caples, Kurtis Colamonico and Braydon Szfranski were all on hand to test out the plaza, along with tons of local and not so local skaters. The opening of the new state-of-the-art skate plaza brought out skaters from as far as Carson City, Nevada.

The celebration also included something for the kiddies. A new sea-themed accessible playground was dedicated. The limitless playground features swings, slides and interactive elements for children of all abilities. The Westchester project also included the relocation of the park's outdoor basketball court, a newly designed park entry way, improvements to the recreation center, irrigation and landscaping.

Westchester Park is located at 7000 West Manchester Blvd, Los Angeles 90045.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

BREAKING GROUND

North Hollywood Multi-Purpose Center

North Hollywood - The Department of Recreation and Parks, Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the Bureau of Engineering pulled out the shovels and hard hats for the North Hollywood Multi-Purpose Center Groundbreaking Ceremony on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

The ceremony celebrated the start of construction on a new ADA accessible 2,200-square-foot facility. When complete, the one-story wood framed building will feature a multi-purpose room, lobby area, storage and equipment rooms, restrooms, a staff office and break room. Landscaping and outdoor amenities will include a children's play area, solar powered lighting, outdoor fitness exercise equipment, picnic tables, perimeter fencing and a new parking lot.

The North Hollywood Multi-Purpose Center Project is set to be complete by Fall 2012.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein , 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

A PLAYFUL UPGRADE

Dedication of a new PLAYGROUND at Louise Park

Van Nuys - The Department of Recreation and Parks, new Councilmember Mitchell Englander and a handful of eagered kids proudly dedicated a new playground at Louise Park in Van Nuys on Thursday, June 30, 2011.

The new Louise Park Playground features slides, swing, climbing apparatuses and shade structures. The equipment upgrade was a much-needed project, tree roots had broken the perimeter of the old playground's sand pit and posed a safety hazard for visiting children.

After the official dedication and cutting of the red ribbon, the new playground was filled with happy sliding, swinging and laughing children!!

Louise Park is located at 7140 Louise Avenue in Van Nuys 91406.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488