A GENEROUS & EXTRAORDINARY DONATION

Dedication of Telfair Park in Sylmar

Sylmar - The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated Telfair Park on Saturday, June 28, 2008. Sylmar's new park offers much-needed green space to the children and families in the area because there are currently no public parks within walking distance of the site.

The new park has an extraordinary story. In 2007, the Tessera Sylmar Homeowners Association made plans to donate a 1.56 vacant acre lot for the proposed Telfair Park to the Department. ValleyCresy Landscape Companies (the nation's leading provider of integrated landscape services since 1949) generously joined the group’s donation and on March 1, 2007, the transformation of an empty and barren lot into a community park took place in just one day. Telfair Park was built by over 150 ValleyCrest managers and executives from across the nation who had gathered in Los Angeles for an annual corporate meeting. The Company donated labor, plants and materials at no cost to the taxpayers, saving the City and residents over $500,000.

Telfair Park features include a practice soccer field, a picnic area, a walking path, and a playground. The new park is located at 15721 Cobalt Avenue, Sylmar 91342.

This isn’t the only project that Recreation and Parks and ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, are partnering on. The Department recently initiated the Smart Irrigation Program. The goal of the program is to develop and promote water conservation and maximize landscape water use efficiency at City parks. Another objective is to employ at-risk young adults, between the ages of 18 and 24, and provide them with hands-on training skills in basic landscape irrigation construction. Burton Sperber, the owner of ValleyCrest, has offered to hire at least twelve Smart Irrigation employees when they finish their training, providing them with a wonderful employment opportunity. The young adults in the Smart Irrigation Program attended the Telfair Park dedication.

The Department wishes to thank Mr. Sperber and his company for their generous support of the Department of Recreation and Parks. The Department also acknowledges the generous donation from the Tessera Sylmar Homeowners Association.

For more information about Recreation and Parks, visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 928-9200.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

SUMMER YOUTH FISHING PROGRAM
At Cabrillo Beach Pier in San Pedro

San Pedro - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks will again offer the Cabrillo Beach Pier Summer Youth Fishing Program in 2008. The program helps children ages 7-17 learn about fishing; the activity will be conducted Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., from June 23 through August 23.

Group trips, which have a $25 bait fee for a 25-participant maximum, are coordinated through Department of Recreation and Parks facilities, and reservations are required since availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservations for individual anglers will also be accepted, with a fee of $6 per person. For more information, call (310) 548-7728.

The program will also include information on how to rig lines, tie hooks and bait and cast rods, as well as being environmentally responsible while fishing and following California Department of Fish and Game laws. Equipment will be provided, but not transportation.

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, which is near the pier, will be open for up-close observations of sea life. Groups wanting to visit the aquarium must also make reservations by calling (310) 548-7562.

For more information about the Department of Recreation and Parks events, activities, services, programs and facilities, go to our website: http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 928-9200.




MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294
Harvey Drut: (213) 928-9296

IT'S TIME FOR SUMMER SWIMMING
Opening of 30 seasonal pools throughout the City

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks opened 30 seasonal pools at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2008. On the same day, 16 year-round facilities began their summer schedule, with longer hours at all locations. For the 10th consecutive year, children age 17 or younger, seniors age 65 or older, and the disabled can swim for free at all City pools.

The Department offers lap, recreational and adaptive swimming, plus water exercise. Various locations offer private and group lessons as well as lifeguard training and team sports such as diving, water polo and synchronized swimming. Seasonal pools will be open daily through Labor Day, which is Monday, September 1.

For more pool information, call the Aquatics Division at (323) 906-7953, or visit the Department website: http://www.laparks.org/.



MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

AN UNLIMITED PLAYGROUND IN VAN NUYS

Universally Accessible Playground Dedication Ceremony

Van Nuys - The Department of Recreation and Parks proudly dedicated a Universally Accessible Playground (UAP) at Anthony C. Beilenson Park on Monday, June 9, 2008. The new UAP is the 10th accessible playground run by the Department.

The first west coast Accessible playground began with one mother. In March of 1997 Catherine Curry-Williams gave birth to a son, Shane, who died two weeks later of spinal muscular atrophy (a disorder that would have left him severely disabled had he survived). Catherine's sister-in-law sent her an article from an East Coast paper about another family who also lost a child. They had turned their grief into action by creating a playground.

Inspired by the story, Catherine and her husband Scott did their research and learned that there were no wheelchair-accessible playgrounds on the west coast. They decided to take action. Catherine joined with a friend, Tiffany Harris, and together they created a non-profit organization called SHANE'S INSPIRATION. Their mission is to create a truly unique recreational environment in Los Angeles that provides an opportunity for children with disabilities to play at their highest level, enhancing their emotional, physical and social development, as well as teaching compassion and acceptance.

The City of Los Angeles has joined with Shane’s inspiration to build 10 universally accessible playgrounds in city parks. There are nine additional playgrounds on the drawing board.

The new accessible playground at Beilenson Park has two separate play areas, one section for two to five-year-olds and two sections for five to twelve-year-olds. All of the areas have a “Maritime” theme and feature swings, ladders, a variety of balancing elements, climbers and slides.

Special features to the 19,600-square-foot playground is an interactive drum play area and sensory wall. Other elements include spring toys, crawl tunnels, landscaping and drinking fountains.

The $1 million project was jointly designed by Shane’s Inspiration and the Bureau of Engineering’s (BOE) Architectural Division. The Department of Recreation and Parks’ Construction Division built and managed the project. Funding came from Prop 40, City Capital Improvement Funds and Quimby fees.

Anthony C. Beilenson Park is located at 6300 Balboa Boulevard in Van Nuys, 91316. For more information on this location or the Department in general please call (213) 928-9200 or visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

A SPLASHING GOOD TIME

Rededication Ceremony at Northridge Pool

Northridge - The Department of Recreation and Parks rededicated Northridge Pool on Sunday, June 8, 2008. Northridge Pool had been out of service because of extensive leaks caused by the 1994 Earthquake. The reopening comes just in time for summer swimming.

The Department of Recreation and Parks, working with the Bureau of Engineering and the Jones and Madhavan architectural design team, have created a design that will serve the needs of the community as well as address the swimming and safety concerns of the Recreation and Parks aquatic staff.

There are two pools - one is a traditional swimming pool with a 3-10 foot depth. The other is a zero depth activity pool that provides Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility plus play features.

The highlight of the new facility is the waterslide, a gift from Kaiser Permanente as part of Operation Splash, a effort between Kaiser Permanente and the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Aquatic Division.

Kaiser Permanente has donated $2 million to provide Los Angeles City children free swim lessons, increased access to community pools and waterslides at the Northridge Pool and Harvard Pool (which is currently in design).

Northridge Pool is located 10088 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge 91324. The new pool is a seasonal location and will officially open to the public on Saturday, June 21. For more information on the pool's fees, programs and/or features, please call the Citywide Aquatics Section at (323) 906-7953.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR UNIVERSAL PLAY

Universally Accessible Playground Dedication at Hazard Park

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks dedicated a Universally Accessible Playground (UAP) at Hazard Park on June 5, 2008. The new playground is the 9th UAP operated by the Department.

The first west coast Accessible Playground began with one mother. In March of 1997 Catherine Curry-Williams gave birth to a son, Shane, who died two weeks later of spinal muscular atrophy (a disorder that would have left him severly disabled had he survived). Catherine's sister-in-law sent her an article from an East Coast paper about another family who also lost a child. They had turned their grief into action by creating a playground.

Inspired by the story, Catherine and her husband Scott did their research and learned that there were no wheelchair-accessible playgrounds on the west coast. They decided to take action. Catherine joined with a friend, Tiffany Harris, and together they created a non-profit organization called SHANE'S INSPIRATION.

Their mission is to create a truly unique recreational environment in Los Angeles that provides an opportunity for children with disabilities to play at their highest level, enhancing their emotional, physical and social development, as well as teaching compassion and acceptance.

The City of Los Angeles has joined with Shane's Inspiration to build 8 UAPs in City parks and there are nine additional playgrounds on the drawing board.

Hazard Park's UAP is approximately 6,900-sqaure-feet. Features include swing sets, a water play area and interactive components, all on a colorful and resilient surface. There are also benches, a drinking fountain, an irrigation system and landscaping.

The playground was designed by the Bureau of Engineering's Architectural Division, Cornerstone Studios Inc. and Shane's Inspiration. The contractor was Malibu Pacific Tennis Courts, Inc. The project was funded by California Proposition 40 ($602,600) and the City's Capital Improvement Expenditure Program ($66,000).

Hazard Park is located at 2230 Norfolk Street, Los Angeles 90033. For more information on this location or any other parks and/or programs visit the Department website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 928-9200.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

THE RETURN OF ECHO DEEP POOL

Rededication of $5.9 million in renovations

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks celebrated the completion of $5.9 million in improvements at Echo Deep Pool on May 29, 2008. General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, Councilmember Ed P. Reyes and a group of excited young swimmers were in attendance for the Rededication Ceremony of the year-round aquatic facility.

The project included renovationg the building in which the pool is housed and upgrading the existing adjacent bathhouse (with a new roof over the entire aquatic complex), enhancing the restrooms, locker room and shower area to make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, modernizing the facility's mechanical and electrical systems, and more.

Frank R. Webb Architects of Los Angeles designed the building improvements, which were built by Tobo Construction, Inc., also of Los Angeles. The Department of Recreation and Parks repaired the pool shell and installed new equipment. The Department of Public Works' Bureau of Engineering managed the project through its Recreational and Cultural Facilities Program, with the support of the Recreation and Parks Citywide Aquatics Section.

Project funding came from Proposition 12 ($2.1 million, the City Sites and Facilities fund ($2.1 million), Propostion K ($1 million) and the Department of Recreation and Parks ($720,000).

Echo Deep Pool is located at 1419 Colton Street, Los Angeles 90026. For more information on the pool's fees, programs and/or features, please call Echo Deep directly at (213) 481-2640 or the Citywide Aquatics Section at (323) 906-7953.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

26th ANNUAL SALUTE TO RECREATION

Family Festival at Northridge Park

Northridge - The Department of Recreation and Parks hosted the 26th annual Salute to Recreation at Northridge Park on May 30 - June 1, 2008. The theme for this year's event was "Healthy Families, Healthy Communities". The Salute to Recreation Family Festival seeks to introduce families in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities to the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks programs and other recreational opportunities.

Northridge Park, in June of 1982, was the scene of the first Salute to Recreation Family Festival. At that time, the event consisted of a carnival, food booths, petting zoo, live elephant ride, chili cook-off, three stages of continuous entertainment, miniature train ride, arts and crafts and free fireworks show. Many community organizations and businesses were involved, and the event was an immediate success, attracting 50,000 people.The Annual Salute to Recreation Family Festival has continued to add many new attractions and our attendance surpasses 80,000 participants and spectators during the festival weekend.

This year's Salute, which is now the largest event in the San Fernando Valley, featured entertainment on four stages and food (both with international flavor), carnival rides and games, a petting zoo and inflatable attractions. An opening night dance for Seniors and a Teen Night were held at the event. The festival also included a skateboard competition, fireworks extravaganza, mural competition, silent auction, a ladies and children's tennis competition, International Children's Village, International Marketplace and Hawaiian Village.

For more information on this event or any other Department programs and or events, please visit our website at: http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF GRIFFITH PARK FIRE

Mayor, Councilmember & GM commend

Firefighters & Recovery Workers

Los Angeles - Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Recreation and Parks General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri honored firefighters (from many departments) and recovery workers for their hard work and dedication during and after the Griffith Park Fire.

About 1,200 acres of the park burned in the May 8-9, 2007 fire. It took 800 firefighters with 200 engine companies from all over the state to stop the devastating blaze. Fortunately there were no deaths and only one property in the bordering neighborhood suffered partial damage.

As part of the One Year Anniversary Celebration a bronze plaque was unveiled to commemorate the firefighters for the valor during the May 2007 fire. The plaque was placed on a boulder inside Griffith Park on Vermont Canyon Road. In tribute to the Park’s Recovery Effort a tree was planted near the boulder.

"It's a tribute to the training, knowledge and skill of the Los Angeles Fire Department and the many other agencies that participated in fighting this devastating blaze that no one was hurt or killed and only one home was damaged," said Councilmember LaBonge. "The Mayor and I want to recognize the great work that firefighters and rangers did one year ago during the fire."

The Mayor, Councilmember, GM Jon Kirk Mukri and Los Angeles Fire Chief Douglas Barry also recognized the many community and non-profit organizations that have helped in the Griffith Park Recovery effort over the past nine months. The recovery effort, which included the use of hydro-mulch to prevent erosion, cost about $4.2 million.

Those who donated funds to the effort include the Los Angeles Dodgers; actress Victoria Principal; the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council; the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council; Sophia Muller and Casey Parsons; New Orleans City Parks; Equestrian Trails, Inc. and Paulette Smokovich.

TreePeople, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Pacific Asian Volunteer Association, NBC/Universal, Sidley Austin LLP and many local community groups worked with Council District 4 to organize thousands of volunteers to plant more than 200 native trees and weed out invasive non-native plants as another part of the recovery effort.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

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

A DECADE OF CELEBRATING GIRLS SPORTS

10th annual Girls Sports Day L.A.

LOS ANGELES – The 10th annual Girls Sports Day L.A., a free event devoted to increasing female involvement in athletics, was held on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Rancho Cienega Sports Complex, a City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks facility located at 5001 Rodeo Rd., in the Crenshaw area, next to Dorsey High School.

Hundreds of females ages 6-18 spent the day learning about and participating in various sports activities, including free clinics in basketball, football, soccer, and softball. The theme of this year’s event was “Inspire Your Inner Champion!”. 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 a continuous commitment to girls and women in sports.”

Studies have shown that girls who participate in sports do better in school, are more likely to take on leadership roles, and learn to set personal goals. In addition, sports participation improves self-esteem, helps create friendships, and breaks down social barriers. Physical activity is also an effective way for girls to fight depression while lowering their risks for heart disease and breast cancer.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jane Kolb: (213) 928-9294

Harvey Drut: (213) 928-9296