LET THE RENOVATIONS BEGIN!!!

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Downey Pool

Los Angeles - "What if we don"t know how to swim?" "Then you"ll take lessons and learn." Children from Downey Child Care Center and Albion Street Elementary School curiously questioned Assistant General Manager Vicki Israel about their future swimming adventures. "Will we be able to do cannonballs at the new pool?" "Can my little brother go swimming too?" "What if I only know how to float?" "What's a Splash Pad?"

It was Thursday, June 11, 2009 and the Department of Recreation and Parks was celebrating the start of construction on the Downey Pool Renovation Project. Even though their adventures will not start until the summer of 2010, the young swimmers were already anticipating the fun they will have at the new $3 million aquatics facility.

And what fun they will have with all the exciting and cool features at Downey Pool! The renovation project involves the demolition of the existing deteriorated swimming pool and pump house (which has been closed for the past three years); the construction of a new swimming pool that is 38 feet by 75 feet, a new 1,700-square-foot activity pool/splash pad, and new pump house; and the installation of decorative pool decking, perimeter fencing, landscaping, and irrigation. Renovations are planned to be completed by March 2010.

The Architectural Division in the Bureau of Engineering designed the facility. The Bureau's Municipal Facilities Program will manage the project and Horizon Construction, Inc. or Anaheim will build the aquatic center. Funding for the project at Downey Pool was provided by MICLA, Prop K and Quimby Funds.

When open, Downey Pool will join 33 other Department seasonal pools. Seasonal locations are only open during the summer months (usually from mid-June to early September). The pool will be operated by the Recreation and Parks' Aquatic Division. The Aquatic Division runs over 55 aquatic facilities and provides recreational swimming, lap swim, team sports, lifeguard training, junior lifeguard training, adaptive swimming for the disabled and swimming lessons to 1.3 million Los Angeles residents each year.

Downey Pool is located at 1775 North Spring Street, Los Angeles 90031. The closest open swim facility is Lincoln Pool located at 3501 Valley Blvd., Los Angeles 90032, (213) 847-3382. For more information on this project or the Department, visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

A WATER CONSERVATIVE PARK IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Bellaire Avenue Park

North Hollywood - The Department of Recreation and Parks' General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, Councilmember Wendy Greuel and local residents broke ground to celebrate the construction of Bellaire Avenue Park on Monday, June 8, 2009.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony marked the start of the transformation of a 0.14 acre vacant lot into a charming neighborhood park. When complete the new park will provide a much-needed haven for local residents to relax, gather and play. Features to Bellaire Avenue Park will include a 2-5 year old play area, an outdoor classroom with wood stump seating and a demonstration garden.

The Department's Planning Division has designed Bellaire Avenue Park to contain water conservation objectives. Water conservation has become an important issue around the world and the implementation of water saving measures is greatly needed everywhere. The Department of Recreation and Parks is proud to say that Bellaire Avenue Park will be part of that effort by implementing the following special features to the new park.

Bellaire Park will be landscaped with California native and drought tolerant plants. Native/drought tolerant plants are adapted to the wet winters and dry summers, allowing less use of water, fertilizer and pesticides. The beautiful existing Walnut Tree will be preserved and has been worked into the park's design. A Smart Irrigation System will be installed, which will help save 325,000 gallons of water annually. All of these special efforts will help conserve water and the natural habitat while providing residents with local parkland.

The new park will be constructed by the Department's Planning and Construction Division and will cost approximately $350,000. Bellaire Avenue Park site is located at 7960 Bellaire Avenue in North Hollywood, 91605. For more information on this location or the Department, please visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

A FREE & SIMPLE WAY TO EXERCISE

Dedication of a new Outdoor Fitness Zone at Pan Pacific

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks, in partnership with the Trust for Public Land (TPL), proudly dedicated an Outdoor Fitness Zone at Pan Pacific Recreation Center on Thursday, June 4, 2009.

TPL is a non-profit organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks and other natural places. The Pan Pacific Outdoor Fitness Zone is part of the TPL’s Fitness Zone Program. The Fitness Zone Program was created to provide new opportunities for park patrons to be active and healthy.

During the last 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 40 million Americans are considered overweight or obese. More than 60% of adults and 50% of young people do not get the recommended amount of regular physical activity. Studies have shown that providing simple and accessible exercise equipment dramatically increases physical activity and therefore improves a person’s health.

The new Fitness Zone is an easy-to-use outdoor gym designed to improve general health through weight loss, cardiovascular endurance, increased flexibility and strength building. The exercise equipment is designed to be durable, vandal resistant and used in various configurations. The Fitness Zone is free and can be used by teenagers and adults of all fitness levels.

The outdoor exercise area has eight pieces of equipment: a cross-country ski machine, an upper body workout station, horizontal bars, leg press machine, lat pull-down machine, seated arm machine, incline crunch bench and lying leg curl machine. All of the machines have American’s with Disability Act compliant surfacing and bilingual instructions decals.

Pan Pacific is the sixth completed Fitness Zone. The Outdoor Fitness Zone was donated in memory of Geysol Johana Lopez Vasquez (April 20, 1972 – August 18, 2007) by her family and friends. Geysol worked to better the health and lives of those around her through selfless service and dedication.

Pan Pacific Recreation Center is located at 7600 Beverly Blvd 90036. For more information on this project of the Department, please visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

A BEAUTIFUL AND REWARDING TRANSFORMATION

A new multipurpose facility in South L.A.

Los Angeles - For over 60 years, the property on Figueroa and 70th Street was vacant and barren. Until community members came together and decided to initiate the development of a park facility. After many years of hard work and dedication, the Department of Recreation and Parks proudly dedicated and opened the South Los Angeles Sports Activity Center on May 21, 2009.

The project was truly a team effort with three very important players; the Bureau of Engineering, Recreation and Parks and the community. General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri, Councilmember Bernard C. Parks, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore and community members were all in attendance to celebrate their rewarding achievement.

The 7,000-square-foot facility features: one 2,000-square-foot multipurpose room, two classrooms, an administrative office, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant restrooms and a lobby area. The project also included a new parking lot, landscaping and irrigation system.

The $3 million project was designed by the Architectural Division of the Bureau of Engineering in the City's Department of Public Works. The Bureau's Recreational and Cultural Facilities Program managed the project, which was built by Tobo Construction Inc. of Los Angeles. Funding came from the Community Development Grant and Propositions K, A, 12 and 40.

The South Los Angeles Sports Activity Center will not only provide local residents with various recreational opportunities, but the facility will also be used by the LAPD 77th Division's Jeopardy Program. The Jeopardy Program is a gang prevention/intervention program for youth ages 8 to 17 and their parents. The program combines the strength of the community, neighborhood schools and Police Department to create positive lifelong attitude changes in at-risk youth.

The Sports Activity Center is located at 7020 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90003. For more information on the new facility or the Department, please visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/ or call (213) 202-2700.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

A TANK SAVER FOR GRIFFITH PARK

Dedication of a 75,000-gallon water tank

Los Angeles - In honor of the 2nd Anniversary of the Griffith Park fire the Department of Recreation and Parks along with Councilmember Tom LaBonge, DWP Assistant General Manager Jim McDaniel and Fire Chief Douglas Barry dedicated a new water tank at Travel Town Transportation Museum on Thursday, May 7, 2009.

The 750,000-gallon tank will be used to fight future fires in the 4,217-acre park. Griffith Park is the largest municipal park with urban wilderness in the United States. Brush fire present a definite safety hazard, especially from Spring to Fall, when the natural chaparal and underbrush is very dry.

"The Travel Town water tank is a great assest to Griffith Park," said Fire Chief Douglas Barry. Over the past ten years, the DWP has been working on improving the water system at Griffith Park by installing over 200 fire hydrants and two water tanks. The Travel Town tank is the third tank in the new system. The Water Tank will also be used to irrigate the western areas of the park.

On May 8-9, 2007 a major wildfire burned more than 800 acres of parkland in Griffith Park. The Bird Sanctuary, Dante’s View and Captain’s Roost were all destroyed. The blaze also threatened the Los Angeles Zoo, the Griffith Observatory and one of the largest Universally Accessible Playgrounds in Los Angeles, Shane’s Inspiration. Hundreds of people were evacuated and one home was damaged. Fortunately no lives were lost. The May 2007 fire was the third major blaze in Griffith Park history

For more information on this event of the Department, please call (213) 202-2700 or visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

A UNIVERSAL PLAYGROUND AT BENNY H. POTTER, FOR EVERY SON & DAUGHTER!!!

Los Angeles - The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks proudly dedicated the 13th Universally Accessible Playground (UAP) at Benny H. Potter Park on Saturday, May 2, 2009. The new playground will provide endless opportunities for children of all abilities to play together.

Benny H. Potter’s UAP is approximately 8,400 square feet in size and features rubberized and decorative resilient surfacing, mister sprays, swing sets, and interactive sensory panels. The area also includes new landscaping, irrigation, benches, and shading canopies. The playground’s innovative design will help encourage and stimulate interactive play for children of all abilities, as well as providing a safe environment for the community to enjoy.

The UAP is a project of Shane’s Inspiration, a non-profit organization started by Catherine Curry-Williams and friend Tiffany Harris. In 1997, after Catherine’s two-week old son Shane subsided to spinal muscular atrophy (a disorder that would have left him severely disabled had he survived), she was influenced by an article from an East Coast newspaper about a family who had also lost a child and its decision to turn its grief into action by creating a playground. Encouraged by the story and the realization that there were no wheelchair-accessible playgrounds in the West Coast, Shane’s Inspiration was born.

The Universally Accessible Playground was designed by the City’s Bureau of Engineering Architectural Division and Shane’s Inspiration. The general contractor for the project was Horizon Construction, Inc. The $580,000 project was funded by California Propositions 12 and 40 and the Capital Improvement Expenditure Program.

It is the Department of Recreation and Parks’ goal to open at least one UAP in each of the 15 City council districts -- through the development of new playgrounds or expansion and modification of existing playgrounds. There are currently five additional UAPs on the drawing board.

Benny H. Potter Park is located at 2413 Second Avenue, Los Angeles 90018. For more information on this location or the Department, please call (213) 202-2700 or visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

Amy A. Garcia: (213) 202-2689

COOL GLOBES AT AN L.A. HOT SPOT

Exhibit opens on Earth Day at Exposition Park's Rose Garden

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks celebrated Earth Day by opening the Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet exhibit at Exposition Park's Rose Garden on April 22, 2009. The 50 super-sized globes depict everyday solutions to global warming. Governer Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Councilwoman Wendy Greuel and General Manager Jon Kirk Mukri were all in attendance, along with 350 school children, to help spread the message of conservation and climate protection.

The five-foot diameter, seven-foot-tall Cool Globes, designed by local and national artists each convey different messages about what ordinary citizens can do to combat global warming. Cool Globes was inspired by Chicago-area environmental activist Wendy Abrams. Abrams created Cool Globes to show that, "there are solutions and simple actions we all can take in our daily lives to help reduce climate change. Cool Globes is a way to help people see that the situation is not hopeless. We all have the power to do something and together we can have an impact".

In addition to the large globes displayed inside the Rose Garden, there are dozens of mini-Cool Globes will be on display at the California Science Center, Natural History Museum and California African-American Museum. The mini-globes are designed and/or autographed by celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks and Robert Redford; athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods; as well as President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and more.

Los Angeles is the final stop on a three-city California tour, which included displays in San Francisco and San Diego. The Cool Globes exhibit will be on display at the Exposition Park Rose Garden until July 23, 2009. The Rose Garden is open everyday from 8:30 am to dusk. For more information, please call the Rose Garden directly at (213) 748-4772 or the Department's general information line at (213) 202-2700. For more information on the Cool Globes project, visit their website at http://www.coolglobes.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694

DO YOU PREFER SAND OR RUBBER WITH YOUR PLAYGROUND?

The Re-Opening of Del Rey Lagoon's Playground

Los Angeles - The Department of Recreation and Parks along with Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and the Playa Del Rey community celebrated the re-opening of Del Rey Lagoon Park's Playground on Saturday, April 4, 2009.

Playground renovations began in the fall of 2008 with the replacement of old equipment and the reconstruction of the parking lot. Features include a new climbing rock, slides and swings for tots. The new playground incorporates rubberized surfacing and sand, so young visitors get the best of both worlds. The project also included a restroom remodel which is 100% accessible (ADA compliant). The $800,000 project was funded by Quimby Funds and was completed by Recreation and Parks' Construction forces.

The re-opening celebration was filled with lots of fun and many surprises. Festivities included an official ribbon cutting ceremony followed by several free family activities such as pony rides, face painting, LAFD vintage fire truck rides and live music. Dale Inghram, voice of the hit television show elimiDATE, was the Master of Ceremonies and Willie Davis, NFL Hall of Famer and Playa Del Rey resident, made a special guest appearance. Even Superman flew in to check out the new playground and say hello to it's tiny visitors!

Del Rey Lagoon Park is located at 6660 Esplanade Place in Playa Del Rey 90293. For more information on this location or the Department in general, please call (213) 202-2700 or visit our website at http://www.laparks.org/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Kolb: (213) 202-2694