York Park Planning Workshop a Success: CD 14

In its weekly newsletter, Council District 14 reports that more than 50 community members gathered in the Burbank Middle School multipurpose room Thursday for the first in a planned series of workshops aimed at designing York Park, the latest addition to L.A.’s so-called “50 Parks Initiative,” located on a quarter-acre piece of vacant land on the corner of York Boulevard and Avenue 50, near the border of Highland Park and Eagle Rock.

Excerpts from the CD 14 newsletter:

“After listening to a presentation by Council District 14 and the Department of Recreation & Parks, attendees broke out into 10 groups to develop basic concepts for the future park.

“According to the state grant's requirements, the park must include a playground, adult fitness zone, seating/community space, landscaping & irrigation, a restroom, security lighting, decorative fencing, and green space/walking path. While all of these features must be included, there are no specific requirements for how big each feature should be or where it can be placed.

“In addition to the required features, community members came up with many things to add to the park, including:

• an amphitheater
• sculptures
• a water play pump for kids
• craftsman-style play equipment
• an outdoor classroom
• movable chairs and tables (similar to those found in Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles)

“At the end of the workshop, attendees voted on the top three basic concepts. Rec & Parks will be drawing these basic concepts and presenting them at the next meeting. The community will then be able to flesh out the details for each, modify features, and more.

“For more information about this project, contact Councilmember José Huizar's Northeast Office at (323) 254-5295 or e-mail Field Deputy Nate Hayward at nate.hayward@lacity.org.”

Related: Community Celebrates York Park.