Parks

Completed Playground Design Is Ideal With grading operations commenced on the new playground. Eagle Rock is on its constructive way to the possession of one of the country’s finest and most complete outdoor play places. While it will take several years to finish the different units, and. entail a cost approximating $400, 000.00 the completed plan will approach the ideal. On the Yosemite Drive side, will be the children’s playground, with a wading pool for the kiddies, and, adjoining will be the girls playground and club house. The club house, will not be a mere structure, as is so often found at public recreational grounds, but will be equipped with every club feature for the entertainment of both the juveniles and the adults. Beyond the club house, the tennis courts will be laid out, and the outdoor gymnasium will occupy a place between the tennis courts and the athletic field, which is designed for all of the big outdoor sports, including a specially fine baseball field. At the upper end of the ten-acre tract, will be the swimming pool and bathhouse, that will cost $176,000.00. The plans as filed with the Chamber of Commerce by the Playground Commission, show the most thoughtful care in employing every available space, to the very best advantage. Aside from the children’s play places and the athletic field, a most attractive picnic ground is provided for, with a rustic theatre, giving an additional attractiveness to the selected location. Each year as the funds from the 6 ct. playground tax quota becomes available, additional units will be constructed, and, it is expected that the entire plan will be completed within three or four years. One of the most immediate needs is a baseball ground and the graders at present employed will make a big improvement on the diamond, now being used by the local club, which is rough in spots an almost prohibitive of a fast fielding game. Both consistent and persistent efforts have been put forth by the Chamber of Commerce in bringing the proposed playground to its present stage toward a splendid realization.-Plan, Eagle Rock Sentinel 10/9/1925-Copy, Eagle Rock Sentinel 8/28/1925

Swimming Pool Opening Promising For Greater Eagle Rock Plans The swimming pool situated as it is in its surrounding of beauty that nature has fashioned with that infinite artistry that only nature can attain, no doubt today just as it was when the first white man paused in startled surprise, as he came upon this valley of surpassing charm and scenic appeal, is the culmination, of a long-cherished desire, the outcome of a dream of many months realized, the history of which is best set forth in the following letter addressed to C. A. Butler, from Mr. H. H. Maxson, the man who spent much time and effort in securing the playground for Eagle Rock and who sent greetings and regrets at being unable to attend; “I fully appreciate your kind invitation to be present at the festivities to be held on the 31st inst. At which time it is proposed to dedicate and open the newly completed swimming pool to the use of our rising generation. Will you please express to my good friends and associates my deepest regret in not finding it possible to be present on this memorable occasion, for I have had the keenest interest in this project since Its inception and naturally would like to assist in every phase of its development to the completion of every detail of the original plan. Perhaps in another year, mv health and private affairs will permit my giving some time to civic interests. At any rate, as you suggest, I can give you a brief history of events leading up to our acquiring this tract of land which I consider admirably adapted both geographically and topographically to the use of a children’s playground. In the summer of 1924 the idea occurred to me through seeing my boy and other children utilizing the sidewalk and other public thoroughfares for their scooters, silverwood wagons, baseball and football games that the Children were not only endangering their own lives and limbs, but the neighbors were reminding the police department of ordinances prohibiting the children from using streets and sidewalks for this purpose. When you and I were youngsters there were plenty of vacant lots where we could mark out a baseball diamond and carry on without fear of being chased off the premises. But not so any more in this rapidly building metropolis. Children must have some means for expending their energies in good healthful sport and healthful recreation. The public playground properly supervised, is in my opinion next to the public schools the best investment we can make towards the upbuilding of good citizens, for the more children are encouraged in good clean sports, the less likely they are to get into mischief and perhaps later develop the criminal instinct so noticeable nowadays among boys and girls in their teens and early twenties. Of course the playground movement is not altogether new in Los Angeles, but up till the fall of 1924 Eagle Rock had not been included appropriations for this purpose, hence I took it upon myself to urge our Chamber of Commerce get busy, where upon I was delegated on October 21, 1924 to lead the fight for recognition of our rights. Support of the Women’s Twentieth Century Club, represented by Mrs. H. I. Cruzan, the Parent-Teacher Association led by Mrs. J. C. Reiter and assisted by Mrs. L. M. Maynard, we proceeded to storm the Playground Commission. Councilman Edwin Baker’s influence was brought into play and Mr. Charles Lamb, secretary of the Playground commission was invited to come out and address the local organizations on the possibilities of an appropriation for a recreation center in Eagle Rock. Encouraged by Mr. Lamb’s remarks the interest grew and likewise, complications began to develop. Superintendent Raitt came oat and inspected sites we proposed. The first one was over on Chickasaw, small it is true, but not yet knowing how strong the Commission would go, we had to lead up to the larger tracts yet to be considered, finally, Mr. Raitt suggested we go out and find about a ten-acre tract that could be secured for about $40,000 and perhaps the Commission would consider it. Then the fun began as well as the anxious period, for other parts of the city, learning that the Playground department’s bond issue was about exhausted, commenced using their influence, in order that it might not become generally known how well organized we were or how determined we might be to get ours, no publicity was given to our plans. My three lady lieutenants were sworn to secrecy and no men ever kept a secret better and but few ladies could have kept it longer. For fear that some ambitious realtor might get wise to what was going on, and for other reasons most vital to success, all meetings were held behind closed doors. Maps were prepared and property owners interviewed in some eases without disclosing the real object in view, until the propositions were submitted to the Playground Commission. Out goal was almost reached when the result of similar activities of other communities began to show up. Suspicioning some political play, I appeared at a special meeting of the Commission one day, only to have my suspicions confirmed when I was informed that Sawtelle would probably be favored and then the funds would be exhausted Then our big political guns were brought into action and with the assistance of Councilman Baker, Sawtelle’s batteries were silenced and the Eagle Rock committee’s spirits revived. To make a long story short, the committee finally accepted our second proposition and on Dec. 11, 1924 this tract, then known as the Stewart property, the most desirable ten acre piece and one of the few remaining pieces of acreage in Eagle Rock was purchased and a check for $50,000 placed in escrow. Under the provisions of the new city charter, 4 cents of every $l00 of real and personal property in Los Angeles is levied each year for playground purposes, so that we are fortunate in that, for the present at least, ample funds are provided for the proper equipping and maintaining of our playgrounds. And under very capable city supervision at all times. The citizens of Eagle Rock should be exceedingly grateful, not only for its own committee who put in many anxious hours in acquiring this land but into the playground commission officials who encouraged and supported our effort and no doubt will continue as fast as the funds will permit to complete the installation of apparatus and equipment that the boys and girls of all ages in this community may enjoy their heritage to the fullest extent and for all time to come. With kindest personal regards I am as always for Eagle Rock. Very Truly Yours, H. H. Maxson -Photo published by the Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce CA 1934-Copy Eagle Rock Sentinel 8/26/1926

-Eagle Rock Sentinel 11/22/1929

The original clubhouse-ERVHS, ND

This photo appears to have been taken before the construction of the Sylvan Theater. The occasion is unclear although most of the children are dressed uniformly.-ERVHS, ND.

-Eagle Rock Advertiser, 8/7/1933

The Sylvan Theater was built in 1931 as a project of the emergency employment bond issue along with a bathhouse for the preexisting pool. It was constructed of concrete rubble and other materials. A beautiful addition to Yosemite Park, it served as a venue for summer theatre programs and Junior High graduations for many years. Several attempts were made to revive it from vandalism and disuse, it was programmed as a performance space by the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, but continuing vandalism made this impractical. Most recently, it was used to stage classic Greek drama by Eagle Rock High School.

The original pool is still being enjoyed here around 1960. The pool and bathhouse were upgraded in 1978-79. Photo ERVHS, CA 1960.

These details of the retaining walls on the east side of the park illustrate the wonderful masonry of the original landscaping construction-Photo Eric Warren, 1/6/2015.

These details of the retaining walls on the east side of the park illustrate the wonderful masonry of the original landscaping construction-Photo Eric Warren, 1/6/2015.

The Sylvan Theater has been damaged by vandalism however the quality of the original masonry is still quite evident.-Photo Eric Warren, 2001.

Considerable graffiti damage is evident here together with the removal of the original wooden seating in the audience. The masonry is almost strong enough to outshine the graffiti.-Photo Eric warren, 2001.

This senior center was added West of the original clubhouse in 1962.-Eagle Rock Sentinel 1/21/1982

The Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society held its then annual pot luck picnic in the upper area of the park in 1963. The picnic tables were still part of the park furniture.-Photo ERVHS, 7/1963.

The pot luck picnic in the upper area of the park in 1963. TEfforts to replenish the original tree cover are in evidence.-Photo ERVHS, 7/1963.

-Photo Eagle Rock Sentinel probably by Friezer Photography, 9/4/1985.

One of the succsession of fine Eagle Rock High School Stage Bands (directed by John Rinaldo, behind the bass) is posed here in 1987. of interest in the foreground are the remaining original wooden seating.-ERVHS,ND.

Various facilities in the park were upgraded in 1991. LA Recreation and Parks Program, 4/4/1981.

The dedication ceremony for the park improvements. LA Recreation and Parks Program, 4/4/1981.

This photo was taken as an entery in the first Eagle Rock Snapshot Day photo contest by Richard Vargas. The players and artists names are unknown. The mural has since been painted over.-ERVHS/Eagle Rock Snapshot Day, 3/8/1997.

The addition of a large gym along with other clubhouse amenities on the east side of the original clubhouse was completed in 2003. The project was controversial as it replaced the most easily accessible picnic area in the park.-Photo LA Parks Foundation, CA 2003.

H.H. Fremer Architects describes the project as follows on their website: Yosemite Park Community Center is situated in a neighborhood park adjacent to an existing community center constructed in the 1930’s. The siting scale and massing of the new structure is intended to complement the adjacent community building and respect the single family neighborhood across Yosemite Avenue. Located in the park’s northeast corner, the 9,500 s.f. recreation center consists of an indoor gymnasium with an adjacent stage and storage, child care space, a multi-purpose community meeting room, park director’s offices, kitchen area, restrooms, custodial, maintenance and systems support spaces. -Photo LA Parks Foundation, CA 2003.

Additions to the children's play area were also part of the project.-Photo LA Parks Foundation, CA 2003.

It was in this general area that the incident described below occurred. Various attempts to control the situation in this now sadly disused area have been tried. By Ajay Singh, Patch Staff Feb 3, 2011 6:59 am PT | Updated Feb 3, 2011 4:15 pm PT Detectives are investigating the vicious assault on an Eagle Rock resident by a group of young men while he was jogging at the Yosemite Recreation Center last night, and the LAPD has stepped patrols in the area, which is near. "We currently have Northeast Detectives working on the investigation and we have increased extra patrol around and within the park," Senior Lead Officer Craig Orange told Eagle Rock Patch, referring to Yosemite Park, a largely desolate area south of the recreation center known to be frequented by vandals and graffiti taggers. The unprovoked attack has shocked the Eagle Rock community. The , whose president, Michael Larsen, is a neighbor of the assaulted jogger, is looking at ways to respond to the attack. Larsen called 911 and tended to the victim's wounds after he stumbled on his doorstep last night. At about 9:30 p.m., said Larsen, he heard someone moaning and crying outside his house, which is adjacent to the "Rec Center," as the Yosemite Recreation Center is popularly called. "First I wanted to make sure who it was," said Larsen, "and then I saw it was our neighbor. He was bleeding and dazed and his fingers were broken." Larsen said his neighbor, who is in his mid-40s and lives near Addison Way, had gone to his own home first but found no one there. He had been running at the Rec Center on the East side of the baseball field near Eagle Rock High, Larsen's neighbor told him, when four or five male youths in their late teens or early 20s attacked him with skateboards and stole his cell phone. He had been jogging while listening to music on his cell phone, which has an in-built personal music device. Larsen said the attack, which occurred around 9:15 p.m., left his neighbor with severe lacerations to his head, a broken hand and possibly broken ribs. "He was literally going into shock and was very confused," said Larsen, adding: "He was probably knocked out at some point and had symptoms of somebody who had a severe head injury. He kept saying, 'are my kids okay' and 'my fingers are broken.'" Paramedics arrived within two to three minutes and three LAPD police officers in two patrol cars arrived within 10 minutes. Larsen said his neighbor was rushed to ER at a hospital in Glendale.-Photo by Eric Warren, 10-13-2010.

The upper park retaining wall and Sylvan Theater are shown in 2010. The grey paint used to cover graffiti though well intended, obscures the beauty of the masonry and,ironically, provides a better canvas for more graffiti.-Photo by Eric Warren, 10-13-2010.

The connection between the upper park and campus road is shown. In the background are two of the neighboring homes. The neighbors are quite concerned about the condition of the park and efforts to revive its use.-Photo by Eric Warren, 10-13-2010.

The walled concrete channel appears to be a path or bike lane. Actually it is a drain for Campus Road which does not provide a way through the park or connect with the parks paths and roads.Visible in the background is the rear wall of the bath house a prime graffiti canvas. This building, though part of the original plan, now isolates the upper park from the lower area.-Photo by Eric Warren, 10-13-2010.