Join Us For ‘Parks After Dark’ in Los Angeles, Duarte and Altadena. (Video)
With the days growing longer and evenings getting warmer, the Los Angeles County
Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Department of Public
Health, kicked off the enormously popular Parks After Dark (PAD) program at six
Los Angeles County parks. With a focus on youth and families, PAD will offer surrounding communities extended
park hours and activities on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 p.m.-10
p.m. through August 17. Activities offered throughout the summer will include
organized sports, classes on such subjects as acting and film, free concerts and
movies, and resource fairs for residents of all ages.
See link attached:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=9148161&pid=null
By providing youth and families with positive recreational activities in their
communities, the initiative plays an important part in reducing the likelihood of
participation in at-risk behaviors. Initially implemented in three parks as a
component of the County's Gang Violence Reduction Initiative, the program transforms
areas that have been adversely affected by gang activity into vibrant community
centers that provide health and other resources in locations where residents can
feel safe and secure.
PAD has been highly successful during its first three summers, resulting in
decreased violent crime and high community participation. Between 2010 and 2012,
there were more than 120,000 visits to the PAD parks. A 2012 survey of participants
found that 94% would participate in the program again, and 96% felt safe during the
program. Serious and violent crimes in the communities surrounding the original
three parks declined 40% during the summer months between 2009 and 2012, compared to a 5% increase in serious and violent crime during this period in nearby communities with parks that did not receive the PAD program.
The location of the six parks are:
Ted Watkins Memorial Park, 1335 E. 103rd St., LA 90002
City Terrace Park, 1126 N. Hazard Ave., LA 90063
Jesse Owens Community Regional Park, 9651 S. Western Ave., LA 90047
Pamela County Park, 2236 Goodall Ave., Duarte 91010
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, 7600 Graham Ave., LA 90001
Loma Alta Park 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena 91001
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Parks Bureau provides law enforcement services to 177 county parks, golf courses and special event venues throughout Los Angeles County.
Providing Public Safety for Parks.
