NIGHT & DAY SUMMER HIKES
June & July hiking schedule


Griffith Park - Summer is officially here and with it comes warm weather that is perfect for hiking! Ranger Ernie will be leading 6 different hikes in June and July and 3 will be night hikes!

The first hike will be a nocturnal adventure on Friday, June 24 starting at 7pm at the Ranger Station (4730 Crystal Spring Drive, Los Angeles 90027). The evening hike will be a 2-hour trek through Griffith Park. Pack your water, snacks and, since it'll be night time escapade, remember to bring a jacket and flashlight. Two more evening hikes will be available on Friday, July 15 and Friday, July 29. Same time and same starting place (Ranger Station).

Day hikes will also be offered on 3 Saturdays; June 25, July 16 and July 30. These 2-hour excursions are ideal for beginner hikers but are open to everyone. The hiking voyages will begin at 8am at the Griffith Observatory parking lot (2800 E. Observatory Road, Los Angeles 90027) and will be a 2-hour trek through Griffith Park.

Those planning to participate should dress accordingly and bring drinking water and snacks. For more information about any of the hikes, contact Ranger Ernie Ybarra at (323) 644-6661 or by e-mail at ernie.ybarra@lacity.org.

RIGHT BEFORE THE SUMMER HEAT

Unveiling of Shade Structure at Warner Ranch Park Playground

Woodland Hills - The Department of Recreation and Parks and Councilman Dennis P. Zine (3rd District) unveiled a new shade structure at the Warner Ranch Park playground on Thursday, May 26, 2011. The shade structure will provide children with needed protection from the sun on hot days.

With about a month before the beginning of summer, the unveiling of the shade structure comes just in time to beat the summer heat. The playground shade structure was designed and installed to protect children from the damaging UV Rays and extreme heat that can lead to skin cancer, burns and heat stroke. The new shade structure will keep the play surfaces and sand up to 20 degrees cooler and allows children to play in the park even on the hottest summer days when temperatures can reach well into the 100's. The design is a Multi Level/Multi Panel Super Span (50' x 60') with multiple layers of fabric to increase the shade coverage, as well as enhance the existing visual aesthetic of the playground. Quimby fees funded the $88,480 project.

Warner Ranch Park is located at 21820 Califa Street in Woodland Hills.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

ANOTHER PARK TRANSFORMATION

Dedication of Rockwood-Colton Pocket Park

Los Angeles - Located in the heart of the Los Angeles Oil Field, Rockwood-Colton Park is a great example of a truly remarkable park transformation. The Department of Recreation and Parks and Council President Eric Garcetti (13th District) dedicated the new pocket park on Saturday, May 7, 2011.

The transformation of this formerly contaminated property into a half acre neighborhood park was not an easy task. Oil wells existed on the property from approximately 1906 through 1970. Environmental investigations were completed to make sure the land was safe. Once safety was determined, community meetings were held for input on the park's design.

Rockwood-Colton Park has a children's play area, picnic tables and park benches. The eco-friendly pocket park also boasts solar lighting and a smart irrigation system. Funding for the new park was provided by the Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields Program and voter-approved state park bonds.

Rockwood-Colton Park is located in historic Filipinotown at 1571 Rockwood Street, Los Angeles 90026.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

OUR THIRD "BIG BLUE" BASEBALL FIELD

Dedication of Pecan's Dodgers Dreamfield

East Los Angeles - Recreation and Parks celebrated the opening of the tenth Dodgers Dreamfield in the City of Los Angeles on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Former Dodgers Bobby Castillo, Tommy Davis, Al Downing, Kenny Landreaux and Wes Parker, along with current Dodger pitcher Kenley Jansen, were all on hand to help celebrate the opening of the new field at Pecan Recreation Center in Boyle Heights.

Renovations to the new field included re-grading of the infield, new sod in the outfield, refurbished fencing and new dugout roofing, batting cage, outfield wind screen, LED scoreboard and signage.

The new Dodgers Dreamfield at Pecan is the third field the Department has dedicated in 2011. At the beginning of this year, the Dodgers Dream Foundation in partnership with the LA84 Foundation announced a new commitment to build Dreamfields at eight Recreation and Parks facilities. The five remaining locations that will receive Dreamfields are Pan Pacific RC, Ritchie Valens RC, Lemon Grove RC, Harbor City RC and Valley Plaza RC.

Pecan Recreation Center is located at 145 South Pecan Street in Los Angeles 90033.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

5 ACRES OF NEW PARKLAND

& 13 MORE TO FOLLOW

Dedication of Phase I of Elysian Park-Riverside Park

Elysian Park - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Council President Eric Garcetti (CD 13), members of the Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park and community members celebrated the dedication of Phase I of Elysian Park-Riverside Park.

The new 5 acres of parkland combine natural features of the area with new lawn and graded areas. The park has two multipurpose game courts, passive recreation lawn areas, children's playground, picnic tables, trails with nature interpretive signs and an outdoor classroom. The Proposition K funded project also included a new parking lot, smart irrigation system, fencing and more. The park's design included the preservation of all existing native oak and walnut trees.

The creation of Elysian Park-Riverside Park was a community effort. The City purchased the 18 acres of undeveloped land in 1999 and the Citizen's Committee to Save Elysian Park played a huge role in the process. Phase II will provide the expansion of Phase I's hiking trails which will connect the new park to Elysian Park to the east and the Red Car Property parkland to the west.

Elysian Park-Riverside Park is located at 1800 Riverside Drive in Los Angeles 90012.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

THEY ASKED & WE'RE DELIVERING

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Skate Plaza @ Jackie Tatum/Harvard

South Los Angeles - Like every other place in the world, skateboarding has become extremely popular in South Los Angeles. And like so many places, skater's do not have a designated skate park and use an open area at a local park. Skaters and their parents have been asking for a skate park and the City of Los Angeles Department or Recreation and Parks are answering their need.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new skate plaza at Jackie Tatum/Harvard Recreation Center on Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Councilmember Bernard C. Parks (CD 8), representatives from the Bureau of Engineering and Recreation and Parks, and community members were there to celebrate the start of construction.

When complete, the 10,000-square-foot skate plaza will include grinding ledges, rails, staircases, ramps, a quarter pipe, planters and various transition elements. The new skate plaza will help create a safe haven for local and visiting skaters to practice their skills. The project also includes other outdoor park improvements including a new pathways, fencing, irrigation and security lighting.

Jackie Tatum/Harvard Recreation Center is located at 1535 West 62nd Street in Los Angeles 90047.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

FROM ONTARIO TO LOS ANGELES

Dedication of Cardenas Safe Spot Skate Spot

Panorama City - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks in partnership with Professional Skateboarder Rob Dyrdek proudly dedicated Los Angeles' fifth Safe Spot Skate Spot at the Andres & Maria Cardenas Recreation Center in Panorama City on Monday, April 18, 2011.

The newest Skate Spot is approximately 4,500-square-feet and was designed and constructed by California Skateparks. The Cardenas Skate Spot features course obstacles donated from STREET LEAGUE's (DC's Professional Skateboarding tour) 2010 Ontario, CA stop. Central to the plaza is the colored ledge over manual pad, which was slightly modified to make it more skate-able. A flat bank, grinding hand rail and perimeter ledges give the new skate plaza it's unique flow.

The opening of the Andres and Maria Cardenas Safe Spot Skate Spot illustrates both Recreation and Parks' and the Rob Dyrdek Foundation's commitment to provide safe and legal skate plazas for your youth and adults. The Andres & Maria Cardenas Safe Spot Skate Spot is located at 14740 Blythe Street in Panorama City 91402.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

13 YEARS + 19 LOCATIONS = LIMITLESS PLAY

Dedication of a UAP at Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks - It started 13 years ago in Griffith Park, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) in partnership with non-profit Shane's Inspiration dedicated and opened the first Universally Accessible Playground in the Western United States and the largest in the nation. And that was just the beginning......

Together Recreation and Parks and Shane's Inspiration created a powerful partnership that has revolutionized playground design and utilization. This important collaboration has brought a strong voice to many that were never given the opportunity to simply play in a park. Working together, RAP and Shane's Inspiration encouraged the City to pass a Universally Accessible Playground initiative that promised at least one UAP in every Council District. Then the needed change began to happen and the opportunities for play became limitless.

On Thursday, April 14, 2011, Recreation and Parks and Shane's Inspiration proudly dedicated the 19th Universally Accessible Playground at Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park. This tremendous accomplishment has made the City of Los Angeles the most playable City in the World.

The new 9,300-square-foot UAP is completely wheel-chair accessible and features two sand and water activity centers, slides, bucket swings and a cool mister. The universal play area also has resilient rubberized surfacing, shade canopies and benches. The project was funded by Proposition 40 and designed by Shane's Inspiration with help from Public Works' Bureau of Engineering.

Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Universally Accessible Playground will bring children of all abilities together to play. The UAP's dedication also marked an important accomplishment for RAP and Shane's Inspiration. Catherine Curry-Williams, founder of Shane's Inspiration, spoke at the ribbon cutting and said, "Today I have the amazing gift of hearing and seeing our mission come to reality." Thank you Shane's Inspiration for being such an important part of the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks' family!!

**The Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks UAP is located at 14201 Huston Street in Sherman Oaks 91423.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

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ONE PHASE DOWN, ONE MORE TO GO

Dedication of Phase I of South LA Wetlands Park

South Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks, Councilwoman Jan Perry (9th District) and the Bureau of Engineering proudly celebrated the completion of Phase I of the South Los Angeles Wetlands Park Project on Thursday, March 31, 2011.

The South Los Angeles Wetlands Park project includes the development of a nine-acre parkland at the intersection of 54th and Avalon. The wetlands project will transform an old MTA bus yard into a sustainable nature park that will feature a recreation space, educational center, solar powered lighting and a storm water treatment area. When complete, the new park will provide educational opportunities and wildlife viewing. The storm water treatment area will assist in minimizing the introduction of pollutants including; bacteria, oil, grease, gasoline, suspended sediments and heavy metals, all of which are components of urban runoff that ultimately are washed into receiving waters.

Phase I of the project created a one-acre green space for activities such as cycling, photography and bird watching and includes an outdoor classroom with educational signage. Phase II will include the construction of a rail museum and community meeting place. The South Los Angeles Wetlands Park will be landscaped with native California plants and will create indigenous habitats for native wildlife including various species of birds, mammals and reptiles.

Since more than 95% of California's natural wetlands have been lost to development projects, the South Los Angeles Wetlands Park is an important restoration project that represents a renewal of nature in the South LA community. Phase II of the project is expected to be complete in December 2011.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

STATE-OF-THE-ART IMPROVEMENTS

Groundbreaking at Westchester Rec Center

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) in partnership with the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, Explore.org and The Berrics officially broke ground at Westchester Recreation Center for a new skate park, universal playground and other improvements on Monday, April 11, 2011.

The $1 million improvement project is being funded by Quimby funds and a generous donation of $125,000 from the Annenberg Foundation and Explore.org that will fund the skate plaza portion of the project. The new skate plaza was designed by Jason King and Steve Berra from The Berrics, and Joe Ciaglia from California Skateparks. California Skateparks will construct Westchester's skate spot. The plaza is replacing an old outdoor basketball court. RAP redesigned the space around the skate area to accommodate the plaza, give a fresh new look and tie in all the physical factors that make up the space.

The project also includes the installation of a universal playground for children of all abilities and lighting improvements to the tennis courts and parking area. The new playground, designed by Gametime, will feature a "California Coastal Experience" theme and will be wheelchair accessible. The improvement project is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

THANK YOU to all the partners who made this project possible!!!

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488

ANOTHER DREAM COME TRUE 2nd Dodgers Dreamfield for RAP in 2011

Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) in partnership with the Dodgers Dream Foundation, the LA84 Foundation unveiled a new Dodgers Dreamfield at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center on Saturday, April 2, 2011.

Councilmembers Bernard C. Parks (8th District) and Jan Perry (9th District), RAP General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, LA84 Foundation Vice President Patrick Escobar, Dodger owner and chairman Frank McCourt and Dodger legends Fernando Valenzuela, Maury Wills, Tommy Davis, Bobby Castillo and Kenny Landreaux were all at the celebration, which included live music, a DJ and baseball clinic.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center's new Dodgers Dreamfield features a new batting cage, outfield wind screen, LED scoreboard and signage. The field fencing and dugout covers were also refurbished. An murals depicting Valenzuela, Wills and former Dodger manager Joe Torre overlook the outfield.

The latest Dreamfield is the ninth Dodger Dreamfield run by the Department of Recreation and Parks and is the second Dodgers ball field to be dedicated in 2011, as part of the new Foundation commitment. The new commitment will build another six Dreamfields at RAP facilities. The additional locations set to receive Dreamfields are Pan Pacific RC, Ritchie Valens RC, Lemon Grove RC, Pecan RC, Harbor City RC and Valley Plaza RC.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center is located at 3916 South Western Avenue in South Los Angeles 90062.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Epstein, 213.202.2690

BLOG CONTACT: Amy A. Garcia, 818.243.6488