DISCOVERIES-Along a stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard, near the border between Los Angeles and Inglewood, is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, Hyde Park. One unassuming segment in the area, between 78th street and Florence, and home to a few shops, churches and street vendors is part of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Great Streets program. As evidence of the amazing history and secrets lurking behind the gritty facades and the residences, this area was once home to beloved 2nd District Supervisor, Kenneth Hahn, father to former mayor Kenneth Jr. and current congresswoman Janice.
Suzanne Isabelle Simmons, longtime resident and local business owner, remembers the family well. On October 19th as part of the fourth annual Found LA Festival of Neighborhoods, a day of FREE tours around the city, she will share more secrets of a this neighborhood with a fascinating past and dynamic future as part of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Great Streets Initiative.
Corridors in each of the 15 council districts have been designated as “Great Streets” and as result will see more coordination of resources from City departments to turn them into people friendly destinations. As Mayor Garcetti says, "Los Angeles is a city filled with neighborhoods built around Great Streets that have vibrant activity and identity.”
The goal with the “Great Streets” program is to increase the appeal of the initial 15, and others to come in the future, as “places”, by cleaning up streets and sidewalks, and adding amenities like improved medians and pocket parks to make these areas and all of Los Angeles more livable. This pairs well with LA Commons’ goal of connecting people to and within Los Angeles.
On October 19, tour goers who participate in Found LA will have the opportunity to visit all of the 15 designated streets on a walk through the neighborhood with a local. Take Don Larson whose family has been in Northridge since the early days of this community. He functions as a community steward who has taken charge of sprucing up the stretch of Reseda Blvd. that has been designated a “Great Street.” Another docent, Kristy Sandoval, is an artist who hails from Pacoima, and whose vibrant murals animate public spaces along Van Nuys, another thoroughfare in the Mayor’s program.
All 15 of the Found LA tours this year are FREE opportunities to explore these streets, learn more about the Mayor’s program and gain access to spaces not necessarily open for visitors on a regular basis. This year’s Found LA Festival follows three years of very successful events. Over the course of the day, participants see the city through the eyes of some of the most knowledgeable guides around – the people who live in, or are closely tied to, those neighborhoods like artists, residents and public figures.
Last year, with the event theme of the LA River, participants visited a traditional Japanese garden, heard from artists who created the Great Wall of Los Angeles (photo above), learned about the Arroyo Seco, and explored Compton Creek and its surroundings. Past installments of Found LA have included a walk in Vernon-Central with former Councilwoman Jan Perry, a visit to the LA River via Atwater with now-Mayor Eric Garcetti, and a presentation by Compton’s new Mayor Aja Brown on her urban planning goals.
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One tour participant shared a common reaction: “I can’t wait to take more tours. What unusual aspects to learn. I was born in LA and have lived here all of my 56 years and I learned so much!”
Jamie, who has guided people through her version of Koreatown, noted, “I think it was a fantastic opportunity for the Temple to open its doors to non-Korean speaking audience (probably for the first time!). It’s when people come together that ideas become real and understanding each other…deepens for bigger things to come in the future. That’s magical and I see that as one of the most important aspects of these neighborhood tours.”
Our goal at LA Commons, which created the Found LA program, is to connect people to and within Los Angeles—not in the superficial way that only scratches the surface of the city’s story with a focus on Hollywood or the Beach. Instead, the experiences are based on the local stories, venues, and most importantly, the people that make this city great.
We hope you will join us on October 19th, to celebrate the neighborhoods that make Los Angeles a great city and the Great Streets that make the featured neighborhood. Explore historic Central Avenue, home to Los Angeles’ jazz history, sample tacos along iconic Cesar Chavez, stroll a segment of the longest street in Los Angeles – Western Avenue – and get to know Gaffey Street, the gateway to our harbor. Tour details will be regularly updated on the website.
Los Angeles is home to many wonderful neighborhoods that are full of amazing history, but more importantly are filled with incredible people. Come and meet your neighbors by signing up for a tour at LACommons.org!!
(Karen Mack is the Executive Director of LA Commons, and she is currently serving as the President of the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners.)
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