This Weekend: Nike's Run Hit Remix and the Let Me Play Campaign

By Eric Richardson
Published: Monday, September 10, 2007, at 11:45AM

Pershing Square Eric Richardson [Flickr]
Grand Hope Park Eric Richardson [Link]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES —

In not so frustrating race news, Nike’s Run Hit Remix takes to Figueroa this Saturday at 9am. This event is particularly interesting in that it’s part actual race, part 5-mile linear social scene. Stages will be set up along the route with performances by Naughty by Nature, Sir Mix A Lot, The Sugarhill Gang, Dawn Robinson of En Vogue and a finish-line show by MC Hammer. The route will run from the Coliseum to the Convention Center and back. If you want to run you need to sign up today or tomorrow. Registration is online.

Aside from just the oddity of it, Run Hit Remix is also worth mentioning because proceeds support Nike’s Let Me Play campaign, which aims to create play surfaces for neighborhoods that lack them.

That got me thinking, why does Downtown not have a couple spots where you can go and shoot a basketball without having to pony up for the YMCA or Athletic Club? Could a redesigned Pershing Square include a couple of baskets? Could one of Downtown’s tiny surface parking lots be converted into a court?

What are Downtown spots you think should be set up for recreation? Submit your ideas in the comments for a chance to win a pair of Nike Air Zoom RS+ shoes. More info after the jump.

Above: Downtown’s park space tends toward concrete, with Pershing Square (left) as a prime example. Grand Hope Park (right) has a more open layout.

Here’s the game:

In the comments submit your ideas for Downtown spots that could and should be converted into places for sport. Be creative and specific.

At noon on September 24th (two weeks from today) we’re going to take the comments and put all the names in a hat. The first two names drawn will receive a pair of Nike Air Zoom RS+ shoes (Info: Men’s, Women’s), courtesy of Nike. You need to include a valid email address with your comment so that we can get in touch with you if you win.

If you can get a photo, link to it in your comment. If the technicalities on that leave you confused, just email the photo to me at e@blogdowntown.com.

If you’re using flickr, check out this post where Nike asks people to tag photos of potential play sites with letmeplayla. It doesn’t look like too many people have bought in yet, but I think it’s a cool idea.



Comments

1
Tom writes:

The south side of 8th street between Grand and Olive. It is one of the few sites not planned for new development and near several residential buildings. Plus is would activate a severe gap between the historic core and south park.

# on Sep.11.2007 AT 09:56 AM
2
Eric Richardson writes:

That is a great central lot, but unfortunately there is development planned there. Astani, who’s doing the Concerto project at 9th/Fig, owns the land and has a development plan for the site. Part of the site design includes a pedestrian paseo, though, and who knows how plans will change by the time it actually comes due to break ground.

I was thinking yesterday that some developer could really win some public goodwill by putting simple amenities on the ground and opening them to them public instead of locking everything away on the roof. South Group is going this direction with the park they’re planning between their buildings, but I don’t know that it’ll have anything more than just green space.

# on Sep.11.2007 AT 10:32 AM
3
Naturallawyer writes:

Eric– I thought that development (with the paseo, etc.) was on the north side of 8th Street.

Nearby, for a simple basketball court and some greenery, I’d propose an adjacent corner, the NW corner of 8th and Grand. It’s a tiny little parking lot next to a big parking garage. It’s just big enough for full-court basketball, and could be frequently patrolled by the district safety that already rides by fairly often. But I like Tom’s suggestion even better because it would be a bigger and better link between the Core and SP.

I also propose the vacant lot to the west of the Macy’s plaza (on Flower, south of 7th). Don’t know who the owner is or what is currently planned, but it’s looked terrible for quite a while (I think another commenter on this blog analogized the lot to “downtown Beirut” because it looks like bombs landed there). It would invite some of the 7th Street foot traffic further south (on their way to Ralph’s and to the retail in some of the residential projects currently being constructed).

# on Sep.11.2007 AT 11:52 AM
4
Eric Richardson writes:

Naturallawyer: Good catch. Apparently I just can’t read.

# on Sep.11.2007 AT 12:09 PM
5
Sebastien writes:

I’m sorry I’m in bordeaux… But For 6.0 skateboarder … “Skatepark aux quais chartrons” Is a good Way to!!

# on Sep.11.2007 AT 04:31 PM
6
Lacey Wicksall writes:

I agree, downtown needs more open spaces for playing/excercising. Just last month my husband was scolded for chipping around a golf ball in the FIDM Park attached to our complex (Rennaissance Towers). There is a lot adjacent to the back side of the new Ralphs that could use some sprucing up…I’m envisioning b-ball courts and perhaps even a tennis court or so grass and benches! Also, there should be high gates around it or shrubs..something to hide the noisy city streets. I’m sure it’s already planned for something else but some of these downtown parking lot owners shoud consider using their space for something eco-friendly, not another place for cars!

# on Sep.19.2007 AT 04:24 PM
7
Nike SB writes:

You guys should checkout the shoes that came out from Nike with Ipod applications. Nike and Apple coming together is a perfect combination and if this can motivate a healthier lifestyle than more power to them.

# on Sep.24.2007 AT 01:32 AM

Your Comment:

YOUR INFORMATION:

Want blogdowntown to remember you?
Create a user account or log in.

Name:
Email:
URL:
GUIDELINES:
  • Comments should be on the topic of the post or they will be removed.
  • Use the live preview below to see how your comment will look before posting.
  • Keep it civil, everyone. If you're attacking people instead of arguments, or being overly profane, expect your comment to get deleted.

FORMATTING BASICS:

blogdowntown uses Markdown formatting.

_Italics_
__Bold__
<http://url.to.link>
[link text](http://url)

COMMENT:

Preview

Start typing...