Supervisor Mark-Ridley-Thomas in collaboration with the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation and a number community partners, hosted a socially-distanced, sneak peek of Earvin \u201cMagic\u201d Johnson Park\u2019s new building facilities and myriad of amenities followed by a \u201cdrive thru\u201d tour of the park and resource distribution for 2,500 community members.<\/p>\n
The $70 million project, the largest park investment by LA County in recent history, features improvements that include a 20,000 square foot event center to host conferences and other large gatherings, a dedicated outdoor wedding pavilion, a splash pad, children\u2019s play areas, and a completely redesigned southern lake which has a half-mile walking trail, enhanced lighting, fitness equipment and other amenities. The park also has an innovative water system to address water conservation and quality. Under the new system, water will be diverted from nearby Compton Creek, cleaned, and then used to fill the lower lake and irrigate the park\u2014creating a wetland experience for park-goers. The initial phase of the project has been designed by AHBE | MIG and Paul Murdoch Architects. Overall, 30 acres of the park have been improved.<\/p>\n
Over the past five years, Supervisor Mark-Ridley-Thomas has led efforts to revitalize Earvin \u201cMagic\u201d Johnson Park with the understanding that parks generate economic, physical and social benefits, in addition to creating stronger community ties. \u201cWhat you see before you today, represents the dreams and vision of many members of this community,\u201d said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. \u201cNow more than ever, our communities deserve investments in our public spaces to make them centers for gathering, learning and respite. Magic Johnson Park has experienced a true transformation. My sincere appreciation goes out to all of the partners who have played an indispensable role in the revitalization and rebirth of this park.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks to a tremendous partnership with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the County of Los Angeles and other community organizations, we now have a state-of-the-art facility, and high-quality amenities for the south Los Angeles community,\u201d said Chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, Earvin \u201cMagic\u201d Johnson, the park\u2019s namesake. \u201cI applaud the County of Los Angeles for their commitment to making this park the best in LA County, and I can\u2019t wait to see what\u2019s to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
The park will also be home to a unique collaboration between the County Parks and Recreation Department, Department of Arts and Culture, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which plan to collaborate on ongoing art classes and programming, exhibits and artist residencies at the facility.<\/p>\n
“The renovated Magic Johnson Park and its new amenities are a wonderful resource for the surrounding community. LACMA is so pleased to deepen our decade-long relationship with Willowbrook through arts programming at the new events center this fall, and we look forward to getting to know more families, schoolchildren, and educators,” said Michael Govan, Executive Director of LACMA.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to acknowledge the significant investment and leadership by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in Willowbrook and South Los Angeles,\u201d said the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation Director,\u00a0Norma E. Garc\u00eda-Gonz\u00e1lez.\u00a0\u201cWe are motivated by our mission to serve historically underserved communities with extraordinary projects such as the Magic Johnson Park, through the Park Needs Assessment and our partnership with the Regional Park and Open Space District\u2019s Measure A program.\u00a0 The real magic is how neighbors, partners, and officials collectively worked together to transform a contaminated site, once used as an oil tank farm, to a model of sustainability; a park by the people for the people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMagic Johnson Park sets a new standard for public space in Los Angeles County, and for the kinds of community engagement that the County can bring to its residents,\u201d said Kristin Sakoda, Director of the Department of Arts and Culture. \u201cWe are thrilled to have commissioned Carla J. Harris to create the original civic artwork for the park\u2019s amazing event center, and we are excited to work with our colleagues at the Department of Parks and Recreation and LACMA to develop a new program of community-driven and culturally relevant arts and cultural events, classes, and activities at the park that will seek to engage, inspire, and uplift through creative expression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last month, the County initiated the second phase of improvements on 16 additional acres at the park, on the land formerly known as the\u00a0Ujima Village<\/em>\u00a0site. $10 million will be invested to transform the eastern side of the park into an outdoor oasis, with a large outdoor open space, amphitheater, play mounds, a native butterfly garden, a fitness loop\/walking path and off-leash dog park. The second phase of improvements are anticipated to be complete in 2021.<\/p>\n \u201cThis project perfectly reflects LACDA’s mission of Building Better Lives and Better Neighborhoods. \u00a0The end result will be a jewel within the community that will provide a haven for recreation, art and cultural events. \u00a0We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Arts and Culture, Public Works and the leadership of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas who ensured that the County delivered a project that will be enjoyed for generations to come,\u201d said Emilio Salas, Acting Executive Director of Los Angeles County Development Authority.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the County\u2019s builder, Public Works is constantly looking for ways to improve a community\u2019s quality of life through investments in public infrastructure,\u201d Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said. \u201cThis latest phase of park improvements includes a $28 million investment in water resiliency, including biofiltration gardens and an engineered-treatment wetland that will clean neighborhood runoff using nature-based solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am happy to be a part of such a wonderful event. We must continue to work together for the common good of our community,\u201d said Rafer Owens, Senior Pastor, Faith Inspirational Church.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Rivers and Mountains Conservancy remains committed to moving projects forward, especially during these unprecedented times, to continue to allocate State bond funds to bring parks and open space to underserved communities throughout the region. Parks serve, day-in and day-out, as the primary green spaces for many people, and this regional park will bring much needed access to recreation, exercise, and environmental enhancements,\u201d said Mark Stanley, Executive Officer for San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.<\/p>\n Following the sneak peak of the park for invited guests, the Supervisor also partnered with the Special Needs Network, the Southside Coalition of Community Health Centers, Let\u2019s Be Whole and LA\u2019s sports network\u2014which include the LA Lakers, LA Rams, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Dodgers Foundation, LA Football Club, and Play Equity\u2014LACMA, Health Net, Blue Shield of CA, Molina Healthcare, Kilroy Realty Corporation, the California Community Foundation, The Olson Company, Anthem Blue Cross, LA Care Health Plan, and UCLA Health to supply 2,500 residents from the surrounding community with fresh, organic produce, dry food items, backpacks, school supplies, sports paraphernalia and art kits as they tour the park improvements.<\/p>\n