Downtown News Opening Set for Vista Hermosa Park
Posted: July 8th, 2008July 7, 2008
A July 19 grand opening date has been announced for the $14 million, 10-acre Vista Hermosa Park in City West. The facility on First Street is next to the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, a high school that will bring 2,800 students to the area when it debuts in the fall. The opening-day celebration will feature officials including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and County Supervisor Gloria Molina. The park features walking and hiking trails, water features, a playground and a soccer field to be shared by the LAUSD and the city Department of Recreation and Parks. “It will be open from sunrise to sunset every day. There will also be educational programs and children’s programs conducted at the park,” said Dash Stolarz, director of public affairs for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which will operate the park. Construction on the site – formerly known as the Belmont Learning Complex – initially began nearly a decade ago before it was scrapped following the discovery of dangerous gases and an earthquake fault. Construction re-started in 2006. The entire project will cost more than $350 million.
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