Save Our Park: A Call to Action for Our Community

To the City and Our Community Members:

We're reaching out for your support to overturn the decision to eliminate the Director position at our local nature park, Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park. This move threatens to end critical programming that our community, mainly comprised of low-income and working-class families, heavily relies on. Our voice in these matters is often unheard, but we're stepping forward today to make it count.

Why It Matters:

South-Central LA stands as a stark example of a 'park-poor' area, a reality that sharply contrasts with the greener, more affluent neighborhoods of Los Angeles. 

This scarcity of accessible green spaces in South LA directly contributes to significant disparities in health and community outcomes. Accessible parks and recreational spaces are foundational to public health, offering community members vital opportunities for physical activity, mental relaxation, and social interaction. In neighborhoods like ours, where such spaces are few and far between, residents face higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental health challenges, exacerbated by the limited availability of safe, outdoor areas for exercise, leisure, and community gathering.

Our Park Director has been instrumental in creating park programs that directly help counteract the challenges and disparities faced by our community. Thanks to their work, we've seen amazing programs come to life: yoga and art classes that bring peace and creativity, game days and movie nights that bring joy and community, and food drives that support those in need. These diverse programs not only enrich the recreational landscape of our neighborhood but also address critical health and social needs, providing essential services that bridge the gap created by our area's lack of green spaces. 

It is not lost on the Community that historically, the distribution of city funds for parks and recreational spaces has not been equitable, with wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods receiving more attention and investment. By eliminating the Director position and threatening the closure of programs in our local nature park, it signals a continued neglect for the needs and well-being of South LA residents and is a step backward in the fight for park equity and environmental justice.

Our Request:

We're asking the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to:
- Reconsider and keep the Director position to ensure our park continues its vital role in our community.
- Recognize the park's value in enriching our community’s life.
- Collaborate with us, listen to our concerns, and understand the impact of such decisions on our lives.

How You Can Support:

- Sign this petition: Show your support to maintain our park’s leadership and programming.
- Share your experiences: Tell us how the park and its programs have touched your life or your family's.
- Spread the word: The more voices we gather, the louder our call for action.

Let's unite to ensure our park and its director remain an integral part of our lives.

Thank you for standing with us!