Los Feliz Ledger sources. These concerns were expressed at a recent “Save Silver Lake Rec Center� rally on April 11th. The participants By Stephanie Vendig, Ledger Columnist were mainly parents who have discovered the value of the acA local recrefrom zero growth to 20% cuts, tivities at their local park for ation and parks department according to a December 2009 their children. is sometimes regarded as letter from Jon Kirk Mukri, The facility director is the nonessential for community Dept. of Recreation and Parks key to this recreation function. functioning. It’s not like the General Manager to the Los The directors are the designers, police, or fire, water, sewers or Angeles City Council. The the managers, the coordinators garbage collection. However, results in any case will impact and the recruiters for how the if Los Angeles cannot sustain a maintenance, service hours activities operate in each setrobust, active system of parks and the quality of programs. ting. Their skills and experiand recreation programs, we Some think that parks ence make it possible for chilall lose. only need staff for opening and dren and adults to get the most Los Angeles has 15,710 closing, and to make sure that out of their experience with the acres of parkland, activities. These activities have become increasingly valuable for and its 390 public I have obthe recreational and health needs of youth and adults, parks include apserved first-hand proximately 372 especially for those who are unable to access these two such direcchildren’s play opportunities otherwise. The youth of our urban tors, Arlene Corareas, 287 tennis dova at Silver environment is particularly vulnerable to deteriorating courts, 176 genLake Recreation recreational resources. eral recreation Center and Moncenters, 30 senior centers, 59 the grounds are maintained. ty Sutherlin at Griffith Park swimming pools, 24 licensed But they are also something Adult Community Center and child care centers (now being else. They are settings for orI have come to appreciate the closed), 13 golf courses, 9 dog ganized group activities for value of their position. Both parks, 9 lakes, 7 skate parks, all ages. These activities have of these exceptional people are 7 museums and 2 beaches. become increasingly valuable examples of a sizable group of These venues contribute to the for the recreational and health skilled facility directors and well-being of Los Angeles citineeds of youth and adults, recreation coordinators who zens. especially for those who are may be losing their jobs. But today, these venues unable to access these opporFor me, I just hope that are being threatened by the tunities otherwise. The youth there are some well-thoughtcurrent budget crises. Cutting of our urban environment out plans for reducing expensdepartment expenses, to be is particularly vulnerable to es without tearing out the guts taken by July 1st, could range deteriorating recreational reof a vital public service. [senior moments]
Rec Centers Needed for All Generations
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Griffith Park Adult Community Club Calendar
Lunch and General Meeting Wednesday, May 26th, Noon – 3:00 PM, Friendship Auditorium
New Classes for May: Sunset Hall’s Conversational Spanish, Beginning Piano and Music Appreciation
Classes and Events: Call GPACC at (323) 6445579 or stop by at 3203 Riverside Dr., in the parking lot of Friendship Auditorium, south of Los Feliz Blvd. for a schedule. Silver Lake Rec. Ctr., 1850 W. Silver Lake Dr. (323) 644-3946 also has classes. Lunch Program: Mon.-Fri., GPACC, 11:30 AM coffee and sign in, Noon lunch, $1.75 donation, age over 60. Club Info and Newsletter: Stephanie Vendig, (323) 667-3043 or vendig@sbcglobal.net. Programs for Free-Thinking Seniors!   To learn more about our current calendar of classes, concerts and cultural events, visit www.sunsethall.org. For information: Wendy Caputo (323) 962-5277
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