Delano Recreation Center 15100 Erwin St., Van Nuys.

Size: 4.3 acres.

Facilities: baseball diamond, lighted soccer field, outdoor handball and basketball courts, multipurpose building.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Information: (818) 989-8529.

In the 1950s it was a clay pit, and in the ‘60s a landfill. Today, the area is Delano Recreation Center, in the Van Nuys community. The land was bought by the Park and Recreation Department in 1973, several years after the clay pit had been topped with landfill. “At that time, the city called on members of the community to do the landscaping and other construction involved in making this a park,” said Art Gomez, Recreation Center director. “Because of that, the community takes great pride in this park.”

Once the city acquired the park, there was some discussion over whether outdoor basketball and handball courts could be built over a landfill area. Taking the matter into their own hands, community members rallied together and in a few weeks constructed the facilities.

“Once they were put up, the city came out and made sure they were OK,” Gomez said. “But it was just another example of how much the community loved this park and took pride in its success.”

Today, Gomez said, the park is used by the grandchildren of people who helped build and landscape the facilities. Many of the adults are involved in night soccer leagues because Delano Recreation Center is one of two facilities in the Valley with a full-size lighted soccer field.