Posted: August 14th, 2007

August 14, 2007: E-News

L.A. Kids Get a Lift to the Pool

LOS ANGELES—Local kids who rallied with ACORN for access to public pools got some refreshing news Aug. 3 when city officials announced they would begin free shuttle service from the Central City West neighborhood to the two nearest municipal pools.

ACORN organized about 40 neighborhood families in late July to bring their beach towels and swimsuits to a protest demanding that city officials open for public use during the summer a newly built swimming pool at a nearby Miguel Contreras High School.

The action earned a quick response from the Mayor’s office and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Though city leaders said they could not immediately adapt Miguel Contreras Pool for public use, shuttle buses filled with excited kids were rolling by the first week in August. The decision to provide free bus service to public pools comes as a welcome relief to residents of a densely populated area where recreation options are few, and where neighborhood kids can only dream of splashing in pools atop the luxury high-rises sprouting up in the area.