Community Corner

Veterans Park Pegged for Revitalization

The park will move to the Department of Recreation and Parks and receive $20,000 in funding.

Councilmember Ed Reyes thinks Highland Park's Veterans Square Memorial is "ready for a face lift."

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion proposed by Reyes to move the park at the intersection of York Bouelvard and North Figueroa Street from the jurisdiction of the Department of Street Services to the that of the Department of Recreation and Parks. Reyes' motion also calls for $20,000 in Street Services funds to be shifted to Recreation and Parks to help pay for the parks' revitalization.

From Reyes Motion:

Find out what's happening in Highland Park-Mount Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Today, the Memorial is ready for a face-lift. Over the last couple of years, local stakeholders have pro-actively provided maintenance and tender loving care to this special space, as well as providing information and assistance to the local homeless individuals that
frequent the area.

It is now time for the City of Los Angeles to join these caring local stakeholders in bringing our veterans memorial up to par with other key public plazas. Our war veterans deserve it, Northeast Los Angeles deserves it, and our city deserves it.

Find out what's happening in Highland Park-Mount Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For years, the park has been a source of controversy in Highland Park. The fence was erected in early June in an attempt to put an end to homeless individuals gathering there.

However, many of the individuals who has been forced to leave returned within days.

Since the fence was erected, Highland Park's homeless have moved to smaller encampments throughout the neighborhood.

Patch Asks: What do you envision for Veterans Square Memorial? Do you think the city can create safe and friendly park while still serving the needs of the area's homeless?


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Highland Park-Mount Washington