That dust bowl that soccer players use in MacArthur Park (the north side) is getting a totally revamp, a construction project that kicked off with a big media event/ground-breaking this morning. The renovation of the 37,000 square foot area will add a synthetic field (the area will also be leveled so people don't break ankles), and see new playground, lighting, seating and more.
Politicians at the press event included Congressman Xavier Becerra, who said the renovations would help change the park's reputation. He was pretty candid, stating the park has negative connotations and is thought of by locals as a place where you can buy a fake ID, or where gang shootings take place. The project will be done in nine months; this portion is costing $1.12 million (it's paid for by Proposition K funds).
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times covered the story from the point of view of the soccer players, who are being re-located to places like Vista Hermosa Park or simply have been forced to stop playing. Meanwhile, we ran into friend Ed Fuentes from blog View from A Loft and talked about the renovations. Fuentes raised an interesting point: "Why doesn't Los Angeles have any good softball fields?" Yes, where are those softball/baseball fields?
· Reyes Greens "L.A.s Central Park" With Children's Meadow [LA City.org CD1]
· Soccer players' loss is a win [LA Times]For more stories from Curbed LA, go to la.curbed.com.
