A NEW REC CENTER IN THE HARBOR AREA
Dedication of $5.6 million East Wilmington Community Center


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated a 10,000-square-foot Community Center in the Wilmington area on Saturday, August 19, 2006. The new East Wilmington Recreation Center will enhance the community’s appearance and provide residents with a clean, safe and local place to relax and gather.

Councilwoman Janice Hahn, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore and Wilmington residents of all ages attended the Dedication Ceremony. Banning High School's band “Cuerdas Sin Fronteras” provided entertainment and the presentation of colors was performed by Wilmington's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2967.

Features of the 10,000-square-foot facility include a gymnasium with a full-size basketball court with 6 backboards, an activities/community room and a lobby area. The new multi-use center also has a director’s office, restrooms that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, storage space and a rear parking lot.

Funding for the $4.6 million development came from Propositions K, 12 and 40. The project architect was ARQUITECTONICA. The Proposition K/L.A. for Kids Program Engineering Group of the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Engineering managed the project and the City’s General Services constructed the new facility.

The new center is located at 918 N. Sanford Avenue in Wilmington, CA 90744 and is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.



MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

TRINITY REC CENTER IS NEW AND IMPROVED
Dedication of $1.56 million in improvements

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated and opened the newly improved Trinity Recreation Center in South Los Angeles on Thursday, August 10, 2006. The $1.56 million project which resulted in about 1,000 square feet being added to the existing 4,600-square-foot structure is now open to the public.

Features include several restrooms that are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, a meeting room/staff lunchroom, storage space, sidewalks and walkways, accessible drinking fountains, landscaping and irrigation system and more.

The improvements were designed by the Department of Recreation and Parks Planning and Construction staff, together with the Architectural Division of the Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering, which also managed the project. The City's General Services Department was the general contractor. Project funding came from developer fees and Proposition A, a voter-approved initiative.



MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712

SAFER PALM TREE TRIMMING
Free seminars will focus on improving preparation and protection

Los Angeles - The Forestry Division of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks held the first of six free workshops on safe palm tree trimming at Elysian Park on Saturday, August 5, 2006.

Together with Tony Macias and his company, Arbor Plus, the Department provided instructions in how to be better prepared for and protected during the trimming process. The program is supported by the office of Councilmember Ed P. Reyes (1st District).

The area of Elysian Park known as Palm Hill (corner of Stadium Way and Park Dr.), will be the site of the 5 remaining workshops, which will be held the last Saturday of September and October 2006 and January, February and March 2007.

Each class will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. and include detailed information on procedures and techniques to use when climbing and pruning palm trees. There will also be hands-on demonstrations and safety discussions covering protective equipment, climbing gear, friction hitches, chainsaw safety, first-aid in the field, aerial rescue and more.

All instruction will be conducted in both English and Spanish, and the curriculum adheres to all applicable International Society of Arboriculture and Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration standards. For more information, call (213)485-6547.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712

DODGER DAY FOR METRO CAMPERS
A party in Elysian Park for 1,000+ kids


Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks' "Summer Day Camp Metro Region Dodger Jam" was held at Elysian Park on Wednesday, July 26, 2006.

More than 1,000 kids from Summer Camps located in the Department's Metro region were treated to barbecue , entertainment and plenty of fun, followed by a short trip to Chavez Ravine to see the Boys in Blue take on National League West rivals the San Diego Padres in a 12:10 p.m. game.

The children were joined by City Councilmember Ed Reyes. Former Dodger great Willie Davis also made a special appearance.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A GREAT NEW PLACE TO SWIM & PLAY
Dedication Ceremony for LACES facility


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks, in partnership with LAUSD, dedicated and opened LACES' (Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies) pool and recreational facility on Saturday, July 1, 2006.

The new 75-foot pool is suitable for swimming and diving events. Several aquatics activities will be available to the public at this new location, including individual and team sports, clinics and exercise classes.

The multi-use recreational facility is 50,500 square-feet. Facility features include a large gymnasium with basketball courts (which can also be configured into a full-size vollyeball court), a multipurpose room, staff office space, first aid area and boys and girls locker rooms with showers. Outdoor features include five tennis courts, four full-size and four mini basketball courts, two softball fields with backstops and a soccer field.

Operation of the pool and recreational center are through joint-use agreements with LAUSD. This approach maximizes utilization and keeps costs down while still maintaing high quality.

LACES is located at 5931 west 18th street in central Los Angeles. For more information call (323)938-1620.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

THE 2006 LOTUS FESTIVAL
The 29th annual event celebrating Asian cultures, at Echo Park, July 8-9

LOS ANGELES – The 29th Lotus Festival, celebrating the people and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands, was held on Saturday, July 8, 2006, from noon to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 9, 2006, from noon to 8:00 p.m., around and on the lake at Echo Park, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facility located near downtown.

Festival events included cultural entertainment on two stages, the International Marketplace featuring arts and crafts, and artisans and boutiques. There was also a variety of exotic foods and beverages, martial arts exhibitions, an art show, dragon boat races on the lake, and more.

The Philippines, which is marking its 100th anniversary of formalized immigration by Filipinos to the U.S., was the highlight nation for 2006. Saturday’s opening ceremony began at noon and included a ceremonial dragon dance, Filipino-American performers and a host of entertainers and dignitaries from Asian and Pacific Islander nations – with their color, beauty, and pageantry.
The two-day event also featured Flower Island, the Tea Garden, a children’s courtyard area and stage, a health fair, community outreach booths, and volunteer opportunities, and a fireworks show (on Saturday night) over the lake.

The Department of Recreation and Parks would like to thank everyone who was involved in this year's event and all of the wonderful L.A. residents who attended the 2006 Lotus Festival.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A GREAT NEW PLACE TO PLAY IN SOUTH L.A.
Dedication of community center and NIKE B-ball court


Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks has dedicated a new community center and outdoor NIKE basketball court at Green Meadows Recreation Center in South Los Angeles.

Features of the 10,584-square-foot facility include a gymnasium with a regulation-size basketball court with bleachers for 80 spectators and two electronic scoreboards. The new multi-use center also has a classroom for youth activities, a courtyard area and outdoor stage, lobby, staff office space, kitchen and restrooms that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The new facility was designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture of Santa Monica and built by Tobo Construction, Inc. of Los Angeles. The Department of Public Works' Bureau of Engineering managed the project through its Recreation and Cultural Facilities Program. Funding for the $3.8 million improvements came from Propositions K and 12.

NIKE donated $70,000 for a new outdoor basketball court that was built by Atlas Construction Company and which boasts a 3/8-inch synthetic surface and includes four new backboards with rims. The NIKE court is the first one in the Department with a synthetic surface.

For many years, NIKE has had a partnership with FieldTurf, a leading producer of synthetic turf, to create some of the finest athletic surfaces in the world. FieldTurf's high-performance synthetic turf features NIKE Grind material recycled from footwear manufacturing to help athletes and active kids play their best game possible.

Green Meadows Recreation Center is located at 431 E. 89th Street in South Los Angeles.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

OPERATION SPLASH IS IN EFFECT
Kick-off ceremony at North Hollywood pool


Los Angeles -The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks kicked-off a new aquatics program called "Operation Splash" on Friday, June 23, 2006 at North Hollywood Pool. Operation Splash is a public/private partnership between the Department of Rec and Parks and Kaiser Permanente.

The mission of Operation Splash is to improve access to aquatic facilities and swim programs in low-income areas, to increase physical activity and help diminish the risk of chronic diseases and build strong bodies. Program participants will become water-safe in a fun and healthy environment.

Kaiser's $1.2 million donation will extend the summer swim season by two weeks, provide free swim lessons and supplies (swimsuit, goggles, towel and sunscreen) to qualifying children and adults, offer free family swim days and other special events and provide aquatic improvements.

Also, the Department's "Free Swim Program" will make it possible for children age 17 or younger, seniors age 65 or older, and the disabled to swim for free at all City pools. Children age 6 or younger must be potty-trained and accompanied by an adult at all times.

Thanks to Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, all adults who have a City Library Card can also swim free; otherwise, the charge for patrons ages 18-64 will be $1.50 per swimming session.

Residents can contact their nearest pool, or the Department's Aquatics Division at (323)906-7953, for more information. Individual pool brochures can be viewed and downloaded at www.lapraks.org (Directory of Services, Aquatics, and select year-round or seasonal).



MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A SPECIAL COMMUNITY OASIS IN THE VALLEY
Grand opening for Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park in Porter Ranch

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks held a grand opening celebration for Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park on Saturday, June 24, 2006.

The new facility is located in the northwest San Fernando Valley and is named in honor of the daughter of former Los Angeles City Councilmember Hal Bernson, who represented the area for nearly 25 years. The celebration was sponsored by the Porter Ranch Development Company and included a family picnic and barbeque for the surrounding community.

The new parkland features a children's play area, restrooms, 2 basketball courts and a baseball diamond. Holleigh Bernson is located at 20500 Sesnon Blvd. in Porter Ranch and is open from dawn to dusk.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

BETTER B-BALL COURTS
8 New hoops facilities from Fox Sports Net West


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with Fox Sports Net West dedicated both new and improved basketball courts at eight different recreation centers the week of May 29-June 2, 2006. Fox Sports Net (FSN) West and FSN West 2 gifted the Department with five new and three refurbished basketball courts at facilities throughout the City.

The eight centers that recieved new hoops facilities from FSN West are Slauson Recreation Center, Chatsworth South Recreation Center, Glassell Park, 109th Street, David M. Gonzales Recreation Center, Palms Recreation Center, Branford and Highland Park Recreation Centers.

Each of these centers had at least one highly deteriorated, outdoor, asphalt basketball court which had been on a priority list for refurbishment or replacement as soon as funds were available. Work on the courts required patching, and coating in some cases, and in others the asphalt had to be torn out, the underlying soil re-compacted, and all new asphalt caps applied. Each new court also received new backboards to complete the make-over process.

The basketball court reconstruction broke ground January 30, 2006 with the dual goal of promoting physical activity and creating an inviting, attractive community environment. The projects' completion was marked by dedication ceremonies at Slauson, Palms, Highland and Branford Recreation Centers.

The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks is proud to have been able to team up with Fox Sports Net West to improve the neighborhood playing conditions, and to make the basketball dreams of boys and girls throughout the City come true!



MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A NEW CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA
At Prospect Park in East Los Angeles

Los Angeles - On May 25, 2006 the Department of Recreation and Parks' General Manager, Councilmember Jose Huizar, members of Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) and community members helped install new playground equipment at Prospect Park in East Los Angeles.

The new equipment includes swings for both youth and adults, spiral slides, a double wave slide that allows two kids to ride simultaneously and a chain net climbing apparatus. When fully completed the project will double the size of the play area.

The $175,000 installation was performed by Citywide Construction Forces, under the direction of Mike Fea, and funded by Proposition 12.

Prospect park is located on the corner of Echandia and Judson Streets in Boyle Heights.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A NEW COMMUNITY BUILDING AT DELANO
Dedication ceremony at the Van Nuys park


Van Nuys - The Department of Recreation and Parks unveiled a new community building at Delano Recreation Center on Saturday, May 13, 2006. The new $5.6 million center was dedicated and named in honor of American farm worker, labor leader and activist, Cesar E. Chavez and former City Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski.

The new Recreation Center at Delano replaced an aging, antiquated facility with a modern, 13,324 square foot building and will provide Valley residents with additional recreational opportunities. Features include a full size gymnasium with bleacher seating and a stage, childcare center, full-service kitchen, staff office, an enlarged parking lot and plenty of storage space. The project also restored the baseball/ softball fields and included a new children’s play area with resilient surfacing. There are also interior and exterior restrooms that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and building and security lighting.

The Delano project was designed by Carde Ten Architecture Associates of Santa Monica and built by Metro Builders & Engineers Group of Newport Beach. The Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Engineering managed the work through its Recreational and Cultural Facilities Program. The project was funded by Propositions K, A and 12, state and federal grant money and Department resources.

The Van Nuys LAPD Explorers performed the Presentation of Colors and Rosie Trujillo sang the National Anthem. The Department's General Manager, Jon Kirk Mukri, was in attendance along with Councilmember Tony Cardenas and representatives from Bureau of Engineering and Delano Park Advisory Board.

A ribbon cutting and tree planting immediately followed the Dedication Ceremony.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9292, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

FRIDAY NIGHT TEEN EXTREME SOFTBALL
Cinco De Mayo Celebration


Canoga Park - Lanark Recreation Center, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facility, hosted a Cinco De Mayo festival to kick-off the center's Friday Night Teen Extreme Program.

Lanark has revived their Extreme Teen Program in an attempt to divert local youth from participating in gang activity. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, the Canoga Park area was suppressed by drug and gang activity. The City Attorney, the councilmember and LAPD, brought all of the City departments and property owners together to make the area safer.

A Friday Night Teen Program was created to bring the park back to life and provide young adults with positive alternatives to gang activity. Over 100 teens came to the park every week to play sports, dance, listen to music and take field trips. Members of the community and police force served as mentors and the crime rate went down.

With the recent increase of gang activity, the Friday Night Extreme Teen Program has been re-created in order to prevent a downhill trend. The newly restored program was welcomed back into the community on Friday, May 5, 2006, with a teen softball league and festival.

The event opened with entertainment by Hip-Hop and Ballet Folklorico dancers. Two softball games followed the opening ceremony. Live entertainment continued with the Latin rock band, Sangrefria and Cumbia band, Grupo Pecado.

For more information about the Extreme Teen Program call (818)883-1503.



MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A NEW TRICYCLE/WHEELCHAIR TRACK
At Encino Park in the South Valley


Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks opened the first tricycle/wheelchair track in the City of Los Angeles on Monday, May 8, 2006. With over 160,000 special needs children in Los Angeles County, the special track at Encino Park was well overdue.

The new tricycle/wheelchair track was created to help bridge the gap between able-bodied children and children with special needs. The entire facility is "Universally Accessible". The tricycle track complex is designed to allow both disabled children, in wheelchairs, manually or electric powered, to participate side by side with able bodied children on tricycles, "big wheels" and other similar foot powered vehicles to play and participate in a fun and healthy activity.

Project details include appropriately scaled elements, usually found on public roads, such as traffic signs and a gasoline filling station, fencing and landscaping. Other improvements include benches for onlookers and two gated entrances allowing easy access to the track for parents and caregivers.

The $94,000 project was funded by Proposition K and was built by Recreation and Parks construction forces and their subcontractors. The community of Encino helped prepare the detailed program which created the basis for the overall project design.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

A DODGER DREAM FIELD IN BOYLE HEIGHTS
Dedication Ceremony and Baseball Opening Day


Los Angeles - Evergreen's 2006 Baseball League Teams received a huge surprise on Opening Day. Over 300 youngsters got the chance to meet former Dodger Willie Davis, Coach Manny Mota and Manager Grady Little.

The three Dodger celebs made special appearances at Evergreen Recreation Center, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks' facility, to help unveil a new "Dodger Dream Field" on Saturday, May 6, 2006.

The event was emceed by Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Jaime Jarrin. Councilmember Jose Huizar was in attendance, as well as hundreds of local area children and representatives from (event sponsors) the Dodgers, AAF, Bank of America and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The $220,000 improvement project at Evergreen transformed an aging baseball diamond that anchored the community for three generations. In the 1940’s, the chorizeros—an amateur adult team run by a Boyle Heights Chorizo manufacturer—dominated the infield. Today the field is home turf to the Roosevelt High School team and Evergreen’s Little League.

Evergreen’s improved baseball diamond is the sixth Dodger Dream Field for the Department. The Dodger Dream Foundation was created in 1998 to provide educational, athletic and recreational opportunities for youth of the Greater Los Angeles community. The foundation has been in partnership with the Department since 2002.

The new field boasts a synthetic infield, state-of-the-art lighting and bleachers, dugout covers, improvements to the irrigation system and two new electronic scoreboards. The project also included $100,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations to enhance programming at the park, including the creation of a girls’ softball team.

After the Dedication Ceremony, Evergreen players learned batting skills from Dodger coach, Manny Mota and former player, Willie Davis. Players also received blue and white Dodger baseball caps.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Amy Garcia: (213)928-9289

PUTTING THE FOCUS ON TREES
9th Annual City of Los Angeles Arbor Day Celebration


Los Angeles - The 9th annual City of Los Angeles Arbor Day Celebration, a free event that focuses on trees and the environment, was held at Sycamore Grove Park, a Department of Recreation and Parks facility, on Saturday, April 29, 2006.

Among the activities offered were tree maintenance demonstrations, including tree climbing and both cross-cut and chain sawing, as well as arts and crafts for the kids, live entertainment from California Jammin, a chance to visit with Smokey the Bear, informational and educational booths, free tree seedings, mulch, compost and more.

A welcoming ceremony was held at noon, after which 15 trees were planted on the park grounds. Event co-sponsors were the departments of Recreation and Parks, Public Works and Water and Power.

Arbor Day, which is a national celebration, was first celebrated in Nebraska in 1872 in response to a state proclamation urging settlers and homesteaders in that prairie state to plant trees that would provide shelter, shade, fruit, fuel and beauty for residents of the largely treeless plains. National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates according to their best tree-planting times.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294, or cell, (323) 816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213) 928-9296, or cell, (323) 816-6711

THE 32ND ANNUAL FERIA DE LOS NINOS
At Hollenbeck Park in East Los Angeles

Los Angeles - The 32nd Feria de los Ninos Festival at Hollenbeck Park welcomed hundreds of Angelenos and others on the weekend of April 22-23, 2006 to celebrate the wonder of youth.

The free event offered families a festive atmosphere with a variety of activities which included boat rides on the lake in vessels adorned with flowers, salsa tasting, a tortilla making contest, skate park events, a fun zone and 2K run for kids, art and poetry contests, plenty of ethnic food and much more.

Both days featured live entertainment, as well as an outdoor amphitheatre and dance pavilion highlighting popular Latin music such as merengue and salsa.

Councilmember Jose Huizar was at the celebration as well as the Department's General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri.

BELLEVUE PARK RE-OPENS
Rededication Ceremony and Baseball Opening Day

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks held a Rededication Ceremony and Baseball Opening Day at Bellevue Recreation Center on April 22, 2006. The ceremony marked the completion of the Bellevue outdoor improvement plan.

The forty-three year old City park recieved major changes and improvements thanks to a plan that was initiated by the Los Angeles for Kids Steering Committee. The improvements include a newly constructed play area, a walkway/jogging trail and picnic pavilion with tables and barbecues. Bellevue's two baseball fields have also been refurbished into multi-purpose fields with the installment of a new scoreboard, bleachers, dugouts and a batting cage.

The Department's General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri was in attendance along with Council President Eric Garcetti and many eagered Bellevue baseball players.

The $1,364,900 project was approved by the City Council in the 2002-2003 Proposition K Assessment.

Media Contacts:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)928-9296, or cell, (323)816-6711

GIRLS PLAY - SMARTER, FASTER & STRONGER
The 8th Annual Girls Sports Day L.A.

Los Angeles - Over 600 girls now play - smarter, faster and stronger thanks to the 8th annual Girls Sports Day L.A. event on April 8th. Rancho Cienega Sports Complex, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facility, hosted the free event that is devoted to increasing female involvement in athletics.

Hundreds of young girls ages 6-16 spent the day learning about and participating in various sports activities, including free clinics in basketball, softball, soccer and golf. Every participant got the chance to spend time in each clinic.

A special guest appearance was made by Mwadi Mabika from the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA in the basketball clinic. Department staff supervised all of the clinics with help from various outside sources. Dorsey High School's Girls Soccer Team helped with the soccer clinic, along with Pretty Tough Sports. Tregnan Golf Academy surveyed the golf clinic and RBI helped to run the softball workshop.

Each participant received lunch and a free t-shirt. The event was established through a partnership between Recreation and Parks and Los Angeles Women in Sports (LAWins), and is part of the Department's Raise the Bar Gender Equity Program, which strives to "achieve gender equity through continuous commitment to girls and women in sports."


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712
Harvey Drut: (213)9289296, or cell (323)816-6711

THE BIG BLOOM OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS
At Lake Balboa in Van Nuys


Van Nuys - Did you miss the annual bloom of the Japanese cherry blossom trees at Lake Balboa? Well here's your chance to get a taste of what you missed.




With over 2,000 cherry blossom trees at Lake Balboa, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facility, the annual bloom is quite a sight to see. This year the trees were at full bloom during the week of March 20th.

The cherry trees are the Pink Cloud variety, which means that they are ornamental and not fruit-producing. The plants were donated by an anonymous Japanese benefactor and were planted in 1992. They originated from a single parent tree and were developed to grow in warm climates. The flower has a single row of petals in a circular shape, just like those that are found on cherry trees in Japan.

The beautiful blossoms create a pictureque display of natural beauty for park visitors. Lake Balboa/Beilenson Park offers a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy. There's a bicycle path, a separate walking/jogging path, picnic areas and a children's play area. Water enthusiasts can enjoy pedal boats, kayaking, fishing and more.

Lake Balboa is located on Balboa Blvd., between Burbank Blvd. and Victory Blvd. For more information call (818)785-5798.



MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213)928-9294, or cell, (323)816-6712