Here’s Your Chance to Speak Up for Parks

Park near Victory and Vineland

The City of LA’s parks are in trouble and they need your help. Lately I’ve been writing a lot about the City’s parks and the challenges they’re facing. The Department of Recreation & Parks (RAP) is aware of the problems, but at this point they don’t have the funding to invest in upgrading their facilities. One possible solution is a bond measure, but before the City goes that route, they want to get input from residents. That’s where you come in.

If you care about LA’s parks, get involved in the Park Needs Assessment. This is a process that will unfold over months. You can participate in community meetings, and if you can’t make the meetings there’s an on-line survey. Neighborhood Councils are also encouraged to submit comments. For more info, click on the link below.

Park Needs Assessment

I went to a meeting at the Victory Vineland Community Center in February. They had lots of colorful boards with graphics. The presentation was brief and effective. And there were plenty of RAP staff members there to answer questions and take comments. I came away feeling like they really wanted to hear from the public.

So don’t be shy. Go to a meeting. If you can’t make a meeting, do the on-line survey. Let the City of LA know what kind of parks and recreation facilities you’d like to see. This is your chance to be heard.

Downtown Loses another Landmark: The Pantry Closes

Photo by Daniel Martinez, from LAist

It’s hard to believe that the Pantry is closed. It’s one of those places that seemed liked it had been around forever, and it seemed like it would go on forever. I think I started going to the Pantry back in the 70s. Back then it was open 24-hours. If you were going to a movie or to see a band in Downtown, it was the perfect place to stop afterwards. They served breakfast all day and the coffee kept coming.

The Pantry is now owned by a trust set up by former LA Mayor Richard Riordan. According to the trust, the Pantry is not profitable, and they’re hoping to sell it to fund the charitable work of the Riordan Foundation. It will be interesting to see who buys it. Obviously, the property, located in the heart of Downtown, is worth a fortune, but demolishing the restaurant to build something larger will probably not be easy. The Pantry is designated as an LA City Historic Cultural Monument. That would complicate any plans for new development.

This all just feels really sad. The older I get, the more I understand that the world is always changing and that nothing lasts forever. But I still feel like I’m losing a piece of my life. And I think a lot of other people are feeling the same way.

For more details, see this article from LAist.

The Pantry Closes