Richardson Family Park

Re your Jan. 13 article on Richardson Family Park, “‘L.A. Neighborhood Gives Gang a New Role: Park Design Consultant”: The way in which the article portrayed gang involvement as an integral and even requisite component of the project’s success is erroneous and misleading. The city and West Adams community are responsible for the ingenuity and planning that have gone into making the park a reality. The fact that park organizers invited gang members to participate in that process is a gesture of conciliation and inclusiveness, but to imply in the article that organizers were dependent on gang involvement for the success and security of the park is just not true. Furthermore, to overemphasize the role of a gang that is currently operating under a court-ordered injunction is to do injustice to the accomplishments of community members in the West Adams district and gives undeserved attention to individuals involved in criminal activities.

The story of the park is a wonderful example of community involvement and civic and community partnerships. I’ve worked hard as a council member to create more recreational space in a district that has one of the lowest numbers of parks in the city. From the opening of Jesse Brewer Jr. Park in Exposition Park to a new putting green in Baldwin Hills’ Jim Gilliam Park, we are making progress. These projects and many others, completed or in progress, total over $13 million. The Richardson park promises to be a fun and safe haven for children, youth and their families.

MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS

Councilman, 8th District