Access to nature and open spaces is one of the most amazing parts of living in Altadena.

Since 2018, members of the Altadena community have gathered at Loma Alta Park to play an informal soccer pick-up game.

When the Eaton fire ripped through our community, many of the players suffered total losses of their homes, while still others were displaced from their standing homes because of toxicity. The soccer game went on hold as families found places to live, sorted out their work lives, and figured out school situations for their children.

In a year full of loss, one bright spot came when Loma Alta Park reopened to the public as a Dodger Dreamfield, allowing the eclectic group to play there again. It became the only part of their former lives that they did not lose. They enjoyed being outdoors, and their kids played in the fantastic new playground.

Then, at the end of last December, a sheriff deputy arrived at the field to inform them that they were no longer allowed to play at the one remaining park in Altadena.

The deputy explained that an administrator from the County Department of Parks and Recreation in Santa Clarita was concerned that the soccer game would damage the grass on the new Dreamfield. When pushed about what had changed, it was stated they had to “protect the integrity of the Dodgers’ investment.”

This news felt like being displaced after the fire all over again.

The players reached out to administrators at the County Department of Parks and Recreation. These conversations were disheartening because administrators told the group they could only continue to play at Loma Alta if they wore tennis shoes and played in a small corner of the field.

Soccer players wear cleats for safety, but the County asked them not to. Some of the players are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. A broken ankle or a fall would be life-altering. Why is the health of community members being valued less than the quality of the grass on their own playing field?

Now, the County has demanded that the group purchase a permit, in contradiction of Section 17.04.455 of County Code Title 17, which states that only groups of 25 or more are required to rent park space with a permit. This new demand also raises an important question: Does Loma Alta Park belong to the people of Altadena anymore?

Please sign this petition to support fellow members of the Altadena community who want to play at a park. Please advocate for our community that has lost so much. Use your voice to say that Eaton Fire survivors deserve to use public places safely and in a fun way.

Here are our requests to the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation:

• Allow community members to safely use public park space without harassment or rental fees that contradict current county ordinances.
• Listen to Altadena community members as Farnsworth and Charles White Parks reopen so that the needs of the community, and not administrators in Santa Clarita, are built into our new public spaces. Thank you for supporting our community. Together, we are Altadena Strong.