Community Celebrates Grand Opening of A.J. Padelford Tot Lot Park & Trail

City of Artesia mayor Sally Flowers recently joined Councilmembers, park commissioners and representatives from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, State Senator Ron Calderon and Assemblymember Cristina Garcia along with more than 100 children and their families to celebrate the grand opening of the Tot Lot at A.J. Padelford Park in Artesia. 

The playground area, located at the park on 11870 169th St., features new and upgraded equipment that has been specifically designed for children under five years old. With a grant from First 5 LA, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps led the collaboration responsible for the project and spearheaded its construction. 

“The goal of the Tot Parks and Trails Program is to increase access to recreation for young children at-risk from obesity and other health impacts of inactivity,” said Dan Knapp, Deputy Director, LA Conservation Corps. “The LA Corps is privileged to help better our community through this extraordinary initiative. Our corpsmembers – the low-income, at-risk young adults who built these playgrounds - will always cherish their experiences.” 

Mayor Flowers also shared her thoughts during the grand opening festivities.

“2013 is the year of partnerships in Artesia, and this project is a prime example of great partnerships benefiting the people of Artesia," she said. "We would like to thank our partners, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and the grant funders from First 5 LA, for their time and efforts to make the improvements of A.J. Padelford Park possible. The new 2-5 aged play areas and walking trail are assets to the community and our families with young children."

Childhood obesity has been identified by the First 5 LA Commission as a significant threat to public health, said Karen Robertson-Fall, Program Officer, First 5 LA. 

“Communities that provide public space for children to be physically active play a significant role in the healthy development of young children. In fact, studies have revealed a positive link between physical activity and access to sidewalks, walking paths, playgrounds or recreation centers," Robertson-Fall said. "Further, health and recreation researchers have noted that children who live near recreational facilities and programs are more active than those who do not.”

An initiative of First 5 LA, the Tot Parks & Trails Program is creating innovative, safe, and vibrant play spaces throughout LA County by installing new playground equipment and stroller trails for 0 to 5 year olds to make local parks (that are often designed only for older children’s needs) more safe, attractive and usable by young children and their caregivers. 

A.J. Padelford Park is the third of 10 new Tot Parks and Trails sites that will be opening over the next year in LA County’s Fourth Supervisorial District. The LA Conservation Corps teamed up with Amigos de los Rios, Rails to Trails, The Children’s Nature Institute, and The Better World Group to create and implement the innovative Tot Parks program that will significantly improve existing parks and better serve the needs of young children and their families.