Ribbon Cutting At MacArthur Park

There was a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning at MacArthur Park. The ceremony featured a speeches from the current Sixth District City Council Man Dee Andrews, the directors of Parks and Rec, local poets and performances from dancers at the Homeland Cultural Center. 

The new playground is cast in vibrant purples, greens and yellows. The varied color scheme was meant to show reverence to the different cultures within the neighborhood. In addition to the renovations to the playground, there were also about $500,000 in renovations to the cultural center where free classes in: Bokator, Hmong Arts Belly Dance, Graf Murals, Youth Writing & Improv, African Dance, Aztec Dance, Cambodian Dance, Hip-Hop Dance, Guitar/Bass and Micronesian Music are held. That list is not exhaustive of all classes held at the theatre.

A break down of exactly where the money came from for the renovations came from will be published around Monday. I have a request in to Parks and Rec for a detailed break down.

The poetry reminded those in attendance that through the theater graffiti has morphed into art. Gangs have morphed into street dance. And that in many cases, the alienated have been given a voice. 

The bad news: There is no money left for the badly needed renovations of the restrooms, which does contradict earlier reports on how far the money would go.