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Hyde Park Ready for School Program Helps Crenshaw Kids Get New Park

April 1, 2008
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In the spirit of civil rights leader César Chávez, who committed his life to improving the lives of others, hundreds of volunteers, along with non-profit and community leaders, gathered together on March 19th to build an interactive children's park in the Hyde Park/Crenshaw District. Lead by a coalition of non-profits, including KaBoom!, an organization that builds parks primarily in underserved communities, and Neighborhood Land Trust, which worked to find funding for the project, the park replaced a vacant lot that was considered a neighborhood "eye sore." First 5 LA-grantee Hyde Park Ready for School was instrumental in gathering input from parent and kids about the park's placement and design.

The park build kickoff was lead by L.A. City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but also included comments from Maria Shriver and MTV star Xzibit. Shriver is the honorary chair of California Volunteers, a state lead group designed to organize volunteer groups in California, which helped gather hundreds of volunteers for this project. She stood with crowd-pleasing Xzibit, who emphasized the importance of giving back to one's community. Also speaking was Karen Baker, California's recently appointed secretary of service and volunteering - the first such officeholder in the nation - who enthusiastically called for everyone attending, including the preschoolers that sat at her feet, to declare their passion for service by together shouting "We serve!"

Named César Chávez Park to honor the labor leader's tireless commitment to service, the park, near Crenshaw and 60th street, includes a mural of Chavez overlooking the community garden section. The park will not only serve as a play space and garden for the community but will also be a classroom for Parks and Rec instructors.

One neighbor was optimistic that the positive influence of the park will reduce some of the gang activity that takes place regularly on that street. Another was excited that the park was so close to her home, as up until now she would need to drive if she wanted to take her daughter to a park. The park will be gated and locked on off hours, with twelve paid community members holding keys to unlock the gate at designated times.

Learn more -- Watch the Video!

First 5 LA interviewed several of the stakeholders instrumental in the park's creation as well as volunteers and members of the community. Featured are interviews with Jon Kirk Muckri, general manager for the city of Parks and Recreation and Debra Johnson Hayes, program coordinator at Hyde Park Ready for School.