Officials Tout $76,000 Park Renovation

Mayor Richard Riordan and a host of city officials received an exuberant welcome at Pacoima’s Hubert Humphrey Park on Friday morning as they dedicated $76,000 in recent improvements there, part of Riordan’s promise to fix up a Los Angeles park every two weeks through July.

The tiny park and its environs were the site of harrowing acts of gang violence last fall, including the Oct. 7 wounding of a 9-year-old girl by a stray bullet, and the Oct. 22 killing of 15-year-old Andres Reyes.

Responding to community concerns, politicians vowed to make Humphrey Park a priority. It is the third park renovated since the mayor’s promise took effect Jan. 1, officials said.

The improvements included new landscaping, better lighting and a new teen center, which will offer tutoring, life skills classes, and other alternatives to gang life.

“I don’t know if it’s going to end [gang activity], but maybe it will mean less tragedy,” said Crystal Juarez, 14, a charter member of the new Teen Club. “Maybe people will learn to work with their community rather than turn against the community.”

Addressing students from Broadous Elementary School, Recreation and Parks Commission President Steve Soboroff likened the parks projects to a tug of war.

“We’re trying to tug you away from gangs,” Soboroff, a mayoral candidate, said. “We love you more than the gangs do.”

After the speeches, while Riordan showed off his jump shot (textbook form, though lacking for touch) local youth activist Blinky Rodriguez said gang tensions continue in the neighborhood, and there’s still much work to be done.

“I don’t want to bury another kid in this park,” he said.