Councilman Huizar pledges $50,000 to keep Skid Row parks open -- for now
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San Julian and Gladys parks on Skid Row will remain open for the time being because of a $50,000 allotment from area councilman Jose Huizar.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Only one day before two Skid Row parks were poised to close due to a lack of funding, area councilman José Huizar has announced that he's dedicating $50,000 in discretionary funds to keeping the parks open -- for now at least.
Huizar said he will be working with Recreation and Parks to take over daily maintenance needs at Gladys Park (which is city-owned) while he is petitioning the state to also bring San Julian Park under City control.
“Our parks in Skid Row are more than just recreational space, they are lifelines for many of our homeless individuals who use the parks to stay physically and mentally active in a positive and supportive environment,” said Huizar in a statement.
Both parks were previously run by the SRO Housing Corp., which for years received funding through the city’s now-dissolved Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). This new $50,000 allotment will go back to the SRO Housing Corp. so they may continue to run San Julian Park, while Huizar's office works to broker a deal on the space with the City and the state.
“Keeping them [the parks] open is absolutely critical," said the councilman. "These actions that we’re taking today represent the first step in ensuring they stay open for decades to come.”
Huizar's press representative, Rick Coca, said that they will continue to look for additional money to ensure the parks stay open until they are both under city control. Coca said they are hoping to accumulate a total of six months of operational funds.
JasonM on January 30, 2013, at 04:46PM – #1
Unclear to me why those parks are critical. They are useless for anybody besides 'homeless' and drug dealers. They help keep folks hanging around the missions, that's it. Regarding the SROs, it would be interesting to hear how they are financed, who runs them, who owns them, where does the money go.....? The SROs are btw also a part of the problem and unfortunately, the way they'r run is not part of the solution. Can anybody tell why those SROs all sit next to each other in the very sam SkidRow area? All the while pretending to 'help' people get out of that place?
Katherine McNenny on January 30, 2013, at 05:38PM – #2
@ JasonM
I'm gonna be honest with you- I was afraid to go inside the parks at first- until I started to get to know some local Skid Row folks who hold events inside the parks. Now, I go to them often. Within the borders of Skid Row ~10K peeps live- bot 1,500 people live in market rate units- but the others all live in the SRO's, stay at the Missions or live on the street- btw- most SRO's are permanent supportive housing units.
These parks are important because they are the only green public space in Skid Row's 50 odd blocks! Parks, trees, grass, etc are good for one's health plain and simple. SRO units are small. Many of these folks are elderly and disabled- many vets.
Try "Googling":
"Skid Row 3on3 Streetball League"
"Festival for All Skid Row Artists"
"Skid Row Artist Collective"
"Fathers Day in San Julian Park"
Not everyone in Skid Row is homeless, but the homeless are part of the Community too.
If you would like to come with me to an event in Gladys Park- feel free to email @ katherine.trees@yahoo.com
Peace
Ginny-Marie Case on January 30, 2013, at 07:50PM – #3
Thanks Katherine for pointing out that every single neighborhood in Downtown needs open space. To add to this - keep in mind that many of the residential buildings lack the amenities as simple as a resting area, or somewhere you can sit an enjoy the outside air (for however fresh LA air can be). Most of Skid Row has strict anti-loitering enforcement. Without these parks, we would be forcing so many of our law-abiding neighbors to go without resting space.
And, plus...the Skid Row 3-on-3 is right around the corner...Whew! I can go without the Lakers or the Clippers for years, just as long I get the opportunity to root for Da Villains, everything will be just fine.
Thanks to Councilman Huizar, General Jeff, and I'm sure...OG!
T K Nagano on January 31, 2013, at 10:12AM – #4
Good for Councilman Jose Huizar, General Jeff, OG and the rest of positive Skid Row.
Saw them all last night at the Budokan (Litte Tokyo Gym) Fund Raiser with Hall of Famer and good guy, Jerry West.
Remember the "Budokan" is an other facility all Downtowners can use, just like the old and new pocket parks. - TK
John G on January 31, 2013, at 02:28PM – #5
You bring up good points JasonM.
stefano60 on February 01, 2013, at 11:21AM – #6
JasonM: Evidently, these parks may not be critical to YOU, and it is great to hear that you, like most of us, are fortunate enough not to have to worry about life on the streets.
yes, the SROs could/should be better -and perhaps even eliminated at some point- the so called Skid Row should not exist, the Missions and the parks nearby should not have a reason to exist either, in an ideal context.
however, they should be eliminated not because they are an eyesore and they bother 'normal' people, but because this phenomenon should not be allowed to happen in the first place.
how can we tolerate that in the richest country on earth so many people have to live in sub-human conditions?
Andrea Martinez on February 20, 2013, at 09:04PM – #7
My name is Andrea Martinez, I'm a student Journalist at the University of Southern California.
I'm doing a story on the recent efforts by councilman Huizar to keep these two parks in Skid Row open and I need opposing views.
If any of you are willing to do an on-camera interview with me before Wednesday next week about why you think these parks should or shouldn't remian open, please let me know!
I woud love to interview some of you with your thoughts and a few questions about the parks!
This story WILL NOT be published! It is only for my professors eyes and is a school assignment.
We could meet anywhere, at your convenience!
My deadline is Wednesday So anytime before then will work :)
Let me know! You can contact me directly at andreakm@usc.edu