As city representatives announced the re-opening of Seily Rodriguez Neighborhood Park last Thursday, a number of mothers and their toddlers were already taking full advantage of new playground equipment in the background of the event.

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell joined other city officials and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new playground. (photo by Jonathan Van Dyke)

Mirna Solorzano, who lives a block away from the park, located at 5707 Lexington Ave., said nearby residents were optimistic about the improvements.

“It’s safer for the little ones,” she said as she pushed her young child in a swing. “Now that it’s open, I’ll come here probably five times a week — make sure the babies are happy and enjoying the park.”

The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), along with Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, unveiled a new play area for children ages 2-12. The new installation includes resilient rubber surfacing, slides, a traditional swing set, built-in canopies for shade, an interactive musical feature, turf reduction, a new irrigation system and new grass.

“I was on a mission to transform this park into something that was a little more passive and a little more quiet for the people affected by this park,” O’Farrell said.

Seily Rodriguez Neighbor-hood Park was conceived more than a decade ago, when then City Councilman Eric Garcetti represented the 13th District, to honor an 8-year-old girl who was struck and killed by a car while walking to school. The original concept included a public basketball court, which immediately drew the ire of many residents who live in the surrounding apartment buildings, O’Farrell said.

“Now, I’m a huge basketball fan, but I always knew the basketball court here was a big mistake,” he added. “If you look around you can count about 50 windows up and down the apartments surrounding this park. That’s windows and bedrooms where babies are trying to sleep, children are trying to sleep before school the next day, where seniors are resting and families are trying to have peace and quiet.”

Last year, O’Farrell led the effort to replace the basketball court with gym equipment. He said he was happy to finish the park refurbishment with the new child equipment.

“[The park] has a history that isn’t so great, so if I was fortunate enough to become a councilman I wanted to change that,” O’Farrell said. “This is so needed. The nearest city park is at Cahuenga and Santa Monica. It’s not that far, but it’s not necessarily within walking distance, especially for people with small children.”

According to RAP assistant general manager Ramon Barajas, approximately 11,000 residents live within a half-mile of Seily Rodriguez Neighborhood Park — 2,053 are younger than 14. He also noted that approximately 1,300 households nearby have an annual income of under $25,000. A free park within walking distance can make a big difference, he said.

Luz Munoz, a mother and nearby resident, said there used to be a shady element to the park prior to the upgrades, and there weren’t many other options nearby.

“This other park nearby is full of drug use,” she said. “This is safer.”

The new equipment and amenities cost $171,000 and the installation of last year’s workout equipment cost $110,000. It was money well spent, officials said.

O’Farrell and RAP officials said they hope the neighborhood takes ownership in the park and keeps it a safe place.