Lafayette Park (Los Angeles)
| Lafayette Park | |
|---|---|
 Lafayette Park (left) in 1945; facing east. | |
 | |
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Area | 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Created | 1899 |
| Operated by | City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks |
| Status | Open all year |
| Website | www |
Lafayette Recreation Center,also known asLafayette Park,is a public park in theWestlakedistrict ofLos Angeles,California,United States.
History
[edit]In 1899, Clara R. Shatto donated 35 acres (14 ha) of land to the City of Los Angeles. The land consisted oftar seepsandoil wellsand Shatto requested that it be developed into a park.[1]Shatto was the wife ofGeorge Shatto,the then-owner ofSanta Catalina Island.[2]
Canary Island palm treesandjacarandawere planted in the area of what became known as Sunset Park. Local groups requested that the name be changed to commemorateMarquis de Lafayette,a military officer of theAmerican Revolutionary War.The name was officially changed in 1918.[2]Astatue of himwas erected in 1937, close to theWilshire Boulevardentrance.[1]
A senior center designed by architect Graham Latta opened on the east side of the park in 1963. It was expanded by architectStephen Kanner,whose firm improved the classrooms, community rooms, and gymnasium. In 2011, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks partnered with the non-profit organization Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) to offer youth programs. The complex was renamed "Lafayette Park Recreation Center".[3]
The park features sports facilities, including basketball courts. These have been featured in popular media, such as the 1992 sports comedy,White Men Can't Jump,during which20th Century Foxperformed renovation to the facilities.[1]Also available for public use is the "Lafayette Skate Park".[4]
Vicinity
[edit]The park's vicinity has seen the construction of numerous architecturally significant buildings of which several are listed in theNational Register of Historic Places:theSheraton Town-House,Felipe de Neve Branch Library,andBullocks Wilshire,all built in 1929. Neighboring the park are also theFirst Congregational Church— an English Gothic Revival building completed in 1932 — and a 19-story glass building that houses a branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court (built in 1972).[1]
Lafayette Park is fenced off and closed at night, avoiding much of the negative reputation that affects its immediate neighbor,MacArthur Park.However, access to the park is available at all times of the day.
Emergency services
[edit]
Los Angeles Police Departmentoperates the Rampart Community Police Station. It was originally located at 2710 West Temple Street, 90026, serving the area around the park[1].It has since moved east into a newly constructed facility at 1401 West 6th Street, the site of the former emergency receiving hospital. Beginning January 4, 2009, the park became the responsibility of the newly created Olympic Division, LAPD.
Notes
[edit]- Angels Walk LA (2006)."Angels Walk LA, Self-guided Historic Trails, Wilshire"(PDF).angelswalkla.org.Angels Walk LA.Retrieved2012-04-03.
References
[edit]
- ^abcdAngels Walk LA 2006.
- ^abYvette Cabrera (December 25, 1994)."The Fall of Lafayette Park".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2012-04-03.
- ^Christopher Hawthorne (May 8, 2011)."L.A.'s Lafayette Park Recreation Center, the last project of the late Stephen Kanner, extends an arm to area kids".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2012-04-03.
- ^"Lafayette Skate Park".laparks.org.City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.RetrievedApril 3,2012.