19 Parks to Serve Free Lunches to Youths

Nineteen San Fernando Valley parks will be providing free summer lunches weekdays starting next Monday for youths 18 and younger.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an extension of its national school lunch program, the summer program will be operated by the L.A. City Department of Recreation and Parks through Aug. 23.

Karin Heyl, who has supervised the city’s summer lunch operations for 15 years, said the meals will be available at parks nearest schools where at least half the students are from low-income families. She said users are eligible as long as they live in the area.

Heyl said lunches will be served either at 11:30 a.m. or noon.

Parks may be contacted for specific schedules. The 19 parks and their locations:

* Branford Recreation Center, 13310 Branford St., Arleta.

* David M. Gonzales/Pacoima Recreation Center, 10943 Herrick Ave., Pacoima.

* Delano Recreation Center, 15100 Erwin St., Van Nuys.

* Fernangeles Recreation Center, 8851 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Sun Valley.

* Hubert H. Humphrey Memorial Park, 12560 Filmore St., Pacoima.

* Lanark Park, 21816 Lanark St., Canoga Park.

* North Hollywood Recreation Center, 11430 Chandler Blvd., North Hollywood.

* North Weddington Recreation Center, 10844 Acama St., North Hollywood.

* Panorama Park, 8600 Hazeltine Ave., Panorama City.

* Ritchie Valens/Paxton Recreation Center, 10731 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Pacoima.

* Roger Jessup Park, 12467 W. Osborne St., Pacoima.

* Sepulveda Recreation Center, 8801 Kester Ave., Sepulveda.

* Stonehurst Recreation Center, 9901 Dronfield Ave., Shadow Hills.

* Sunland Recreation Center, 8651 Foothill Blvd., Sunland.

* Sun Valley Recreation Center, 8133 Vineland Ave., Sun Valley.

* Sylmar Playground, 13109 Borden Ave., Sylmar.

* Valley Plaza Recreation Center, 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood.

* Van Nuys Recreation Center, 15401 Vanowen Ave., Van Nuys.

* Victory-Vineland Recreation Center, 11112 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood.