L.A. County Department Of Parks And Recreation Kicks Off Parks After Dark

Posted by: KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220 in Santa Clarita News June 21, 2013 - 4:25 pm 0 171 Views

NEWS RELEASE

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, celebrates the 2013 launch of Parks After Dark.

The award-winning program offers extended summertime hours at six parks — providing youth and adults with positive recreational activities in a family-friendly setting. In its first three years, PAD proved itself enormously effective, playing a meaningful role in reductions of serious and violent crime in surrounding communities.

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This year, the program’s fourth, Parks and Recreation and Public Health have collaborated with Department of Public Works to dedicate a new Public Health Kiosk near the Ted Watkins Park fitness area and walking path during the PAD kick-off event. The kiosk will highlight new mile markers, provide motivational and health tips and feature a comprehensive map of the park.

PAD is held Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Ted Watkins, Jesse Owens, Roosevelt, Loma Alta, City Terrace and Athens Parks.

The extended hours begin June 20 and conclude on Friday, August 17, 2013.

Approximately 30 programs available for residents, including healthy cooking classes, sports, and exercise classes, movies in the park, concerts and computer courses and much more.

Come on down to Ted Watkins Memorial Park, 1335 E. 103rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90002 (enter on Success Avenue near Aquatic Center and Gym), on Friday, June 21, for the kick off.

With a welcome session starting at 6:30 p.m., followed by a group walk at 6:45 p.m. and a ribbon cutting at 7 p.m.

Come on down to Parks After Dark and enjoy extended hours and community benefits, ribbon cutting in front of the new kiosk, ceremonial walk with Department of Parks and Recreation Director Russ Guiney , Dr. Paul Simon, Department of Public Health Director of the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Captain Stephen Smith, and nearly 100 members of the community.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation provides the citizens of Los Angeles County with a wide variety of quality recreational opportunities, with its organized sports and health-oriented programs at more than 144 facilities, including more than 94 local and community parks, 19 golf courses, 52 hiking and equestrian trails, 19 natural areas and wildlife sanctuaries, 14 lakes, four arboreta and botanic gardens, 28 public swimming pools and the world-famous Hollywood Bowl and John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.

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