From Lot to Spot

Since winning a stay from the California Transportation Commission in May, From Lot to Spot (FLTS) has been working hard with community and environmental groups to garner funds to purchase the property on 118th and Doty to create a much needed park. And now a huge achievement: the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) has agreed to provide maintenance of the park, free of charge, until a long-term maintenance agreement is reached with the City. In addition, the LACC has agreed to provide job skill opportunities using this project as a platform for local youth.

However, before our elected state representatives act on our behalf to request local conservancies to acquire the property, they need the City to agree to long term maintenance in the future. The City has taken no such action and will vote to maintain or not maintain this property tomorrow.

Maintenance of this property is estimated to be between $6,000 - $12,000 – a sliver of what the City spends on maintenance for its other parks. Not to mention, the last park the City built in 2003 was directly across the street from another park - Glasgow Place Park on 135th Street across the street from Holly Glen Park, on 135th Street. This project is very much needed in this park-poor, low-income community. The time has come for the City to weigh in.

We know it is last minute, but your attendance will impact this decision:
In the past, the Council has voted favorably only when people show up in numbers.
We need your support! Attend the City Council meeting this Tuesday, July 22 and show your support. Only with your support can we make this dream come true. Only with your voice can we create change. Si se puede!

What: City Council Meeting to show support in favor of the Park
When: Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Where: 4455 126th , Hawthorne, 90250
Time: 6:00pm

As we move forward exploring funding opportunities to acquire the property, we continue to monitor the condition of the lot. Since it was known as a dumping ground for over 20 years, individuals are not discouraged from bringing by their refuge because of the recent fencing. They just leave it outside the fence - see pictures below.

We thank you again for your support and we will continue until this dream is made a reality.

Click on the link to read the story published Monday, June 2 in the Daily Breeze.

We would like to most humbly thank the California Transportation Commission for this opportunity.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9450274

We did it! This morning the California Transportation Commission (CTC) granted us a 90 day reprieve to work out a deal to purchase the property and directed Cal Trans to meet with FLTS. I cannot describe to you the smile that sprinted across my face!

In short terms, we have 90 days to come up with the $300,000 to purchase the property and then we can begin to construct this park!

We have already started gathering our resources and planning away.
So we did it, we did it.
Because of Benny Sandoval, resident on 118th Street ,who attended long City Council meetings while his kids slept in the chairs next to us.
Because of Misty Sanford’s tireless legal and social strategy genius.
Because of Councilman Danny Juarez’s continuous support of parks and particularly the importance of this project.
Because of Carola Moraga, Hawthorne resident, who gave up her Saturday afternoon because she felt it was important to flyer the community with information they needed to know about the fate of this property.
Because of Assemblymember Curren D. Price’s last minute phone call to the CTC expressing support for this project.

These are just a few examples of the continuous support we have received, but because of all of you, we did it.
Thank you for being part of this struggle, and part of this victory for environmental justice for all peoples.
It is because of your continued support that we are able to do what we do. We did it, together. Thank you.

Stay tuned...