A Comment Section Dialog on the Best Usage of Park Space

On the eve of the Los Angeles County-sponsored Park Space Needs Assessment Workshop at the Lincoln Park Recreation Center, we present a past "Comment Section Dialog/Debate" regarding the usage of Green Space at CD 1's Lincoln Park between noted Cycling Advocate Josef Bray-Ali and known Councilman Huizar Supporter Ray Rios. 

Flyer for Los Angeles County Parks Needs Assessment Workshop. 

** Blogger's Note: On the eve of Los Angeles County-sponsored Parks Needs Assessment Workshop for the communities surrounding CD 1's Lincoln Park (see flyer above for information), now would be the bloggin appropriate time to share a recent missive via Richard Rosenberg at the Flying Pigeon LA Blog (associated with noted Cyclist Advocate Josef Bray-Ali), that took CD 1 City Councilman Gil Cedillo To task for allowing Green Space at the Historic Lincoln Park, to be paved over for Parking Usage by Plaza De La Raza Patrons. In a area of Los Angeles that is in need of more Park Space, is not surprising that the $800,000 Parking Lot, would meet with opposition, but as we post below ..........., there is a solitary, connected enabler (or more) who has no qualms (in commenting support) about "Paving Paradise ..., and Putting Up A Parking Lot (for the exclusive use of a selected few)"---Scott Johnson.    

Hazard Park Preservation Committee Member Ray Rios, with Wife Ruth, LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis and USC President Max Nikias.

From Ray Rios:

To respond to your criticism of Councilman Cedillo creating a parking area for Plaza de la Raza. What’s wrong with that? I am a long time resident and community advocate who still resides in the area around Lincoln Park, Hazard Park, and El Sereno and I’ve been around long enough to see both the good and the bad in our community. This parking area is a good thing for OUR COMMUNITY. It provides our community with a whole variety of programs in the arts that would otherwise not be available to our residents. We loved our old Boat House but if it were to be used for something else, Plaza fulfills it in a very positive manner. The video that you showed is so misleading to viewers about all the free parking space around the park. The truth is that there is little community parking on most days, especially weekdays. Between the DMV, Forever 21, and USC Health Science using up all the community parking and access to the park, their leaves no parking for the residents until after 6pm weekdays. So the loss of a little green space is certainly alright with me. Leave the few positive aspects of our community in peace. If you want to use your blog constructively, look at the other side of the park where all the community parking to access the Lincoln Park is being taken up daily by USC employees/students for free. Ray Rios

Cycling Advocate (and Flying Pigeon LA Blog Administrator) Josef Bray-Ali (with microphone).

From Josef Bray Ali:

Raymond Rios,Proving you wrong about “the lack of parking” is already done – I’ve filmed, photographed, and documented the open parking in numerous free lots and on the surrounding streets around Lincoln Park.The question I have for you: how many folklorico classes do I have to teach before I can drive into the middle of a public park?Why can’t people in wheelchairs have the $5,000 needed to bring access to the park up to the bare minimum of access standards?The users of the Plaza are a nasty, entitled, group of snobs when it comes to their place in this community. You teach culture and the arts? Great! Please stop ruining the park grounds!!!\

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