As the sun rises, the birds sing, flowers blossom, tree branches swing, the squirrels run, and fresh cold air hits your face, you realize you are in a park. Los Angeles County holds 181 parks in its communities. Parks are not always shown the love they deserve because of the period of time we live in, as everything we do revolves around technology. Taking a break from materialistic things such as going out and enjoying nature needs to become our new norm. However, there can be parks that are known for being unsafe or not properly maintained. Many times poverty and gangs have won over these places, meaning as parks have not been able to fulfill their expectations and roles for their communities. This can lead to children and families not having a place to enjoy outdoors or build core memories. Luckily, the Sylmar community has been able to have a park to be proud of and a place to call home.
A small glimpse of how maintained this park is .
Photo Luis Salazar
Luckily, the Sylmar community has been able to have a park to be proud of and a place to call home. Through the midst of these communities there are places where children and adults can connect with nature. Green spaces in which citizens may gather no matter how busy their cities are and breathe in fresh air.
These places offer so many opportunities for individuals to practice their crafts and enjoy no matter what time in the year. El Cariso Park has been my home ever since childhood. It is where I learned how to ride a bike, barbecues with the boys, enjoyed my weight-loss journey, celebrated family parties, and even learned how to drive. It is a place that I deeply cherish, and have been able to follow all the new renovations the city has done in order to make this iconic place better. El Cariso Park is a place where I am proud to call home and be able to tell others, “Hey I know a park we can go to.”
This is the soccer field and football field that has been built.
Photo by Luis Salazar
El Cariso Park stands as a memorial for the men who lost their lives in the Loop Fire on November 1, 1966. The 80- acre park is the home to the Sylmar community, as it provides many amenities such as, playgrounds, baseball fields, swimming pools, basketball courts, fitness center, tennis courts, picnic spots, a football field and soccer fields. The park usually hosts college baseball games throughout the week, and one can watch teams they do not even know and eat amazing hot dogs on the bleachers while enjoying a beautiful view. The basketball courts at this park are known to contain a lot of talent, as many hoopers await all day to step foot and ball out. The competition that is held at the park is what drives individuals to come everyday and allows there to be success. As mentioned before the park has added new installations such as a 15,000 square foot gymnasium that holds two scoreboards, kitchens, and classrooms.
This table is located in the gym at El Cariso that offers opportunities for the community to join. Photo By Luis Salazar
There is no room for someone to say, “What will you do at the park?” or “The park is boring”, as El Cariso proves all wrong. There are activities for everyone, as children, adults, and elders can find fun activities to join at this park because of the efforts that have been put in by the staff. In fact, there have even been new playgrounds built for children, as these slides and swings are always busy. The staff does an amazing job throughout the year, as they include many activities for children to join football, soccer, tennis and cheerleading programs. Staff who have been given these opportunities to lead the community are able to do their job successfully because of the amount of activities that the park holds.
This is a new playground that has been built.
Photo by Luis Salazar
The park is shown so much love, as the Google review rates this park as 4.7 stars out of 5 and holds comments such as, “Excellent atmosphere, well maintained, and top notch facilities.” In order to hold that good of a review for a park, it is because of the efforts that have been put in from staff, government, and the people that come and enjoy everyday. I am proud to say that El Cariso is my home park and is where I look forward to going for many years and hope to keep seeing improvements.
I love this park because of the memories it has helped me create and build upon. It is a place that brings me peace and allows me to enjoy physical activity. There are many places to go out to enjoy, but parks such as El Cariso give one the opportunity to embrace nature while feeling safe. I have been able to enjoy this park because of the fun activities that are offered and can assure you that you will find something that interests you. Going out to the park is not only enjoyable, however it allows one to live a healthy lifestyle. I have been able to improve my physical life because of this park, as I used to suffer with weight and because of the fun activities offered here I am now living a healthy life. Enjoying a day at the park needs to become something heard often because it allows one to take a breather from the whole world, as it is the way that I have felt. I am lucky to have found this park at an early age and hope that everyone finds theirs. It is time that families join together and enjoy their time outdoors to build memories and bond. El Cariso Park has the power to offer the Sylmar community this and I hope that people take advantage and enjoy it.
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