Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, LA84 Foundation, City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and Republic Services dedicated new Dodgers Dreamfields at Rancho Cienega Recreation Center
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, in partnership with the LA84 Foundation, Republic Services and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, dedicated two new Dodgers Dreamfields today at Rancho Cienega Recreation Center in Los Angeles. With the addition of the two new fields, there are now 30 completed Dodgers Dreamfields.
Stan Kasten, President and CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers, Nichol Whiteman, Executive Director, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manager, Recreation and Parks, Herb J. Wesson, Jr., LA City Council President, LA City Council Tenth District, Anita L. DeFrantz, President, LA84 Foundation and Ron Krall, Los Angeles Area President, Republic Services joined in the dedication ceremony.
Dodger alumni Fernando Valenzuela, Derrel Thomas, Kenny Landreaux and Wes Parker were in attendance and also conducted a youth baseball clinic following the dedication for youngsters from Rancho Cienega Recreation Center.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers and our local communities are very important teammates," said Dodger President Stan Kasten. "We feel strongly about our Dreamfields program in helping our youngsters enjoy a safe and wonderful facility to help them grow into our leaders of tomorrow."
"We're pleased to join our partners in presenting these fields to the children of the community surrounding Rancho Cienega Recreation Center," said Executive Director, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Nichol Whiteman. "In addition to learning the importance of playing team sports, it is our hope that young boys and girls will use the fields to create special memories and learn key characteristics like sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork."
"The LA84 Foundation is extremely pleased to have partnered with Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks and Republic Services, Inc. to bring two Dodgers Dreamfields to the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex," said LA84 Foundation President Anita L. DeFrantz. "Rancho Cienega has a long tradition of introducing baseball to youngsters in the community. The improvements made to the two fields will provide state-of-the-art fields in which future baseball all-stars, both girls and boys, can play the sport they love."
"Through the Dreamfield program, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation will inspire positive change in under-served communities of across the Los Angeles area," said Ron Krall, Area President of Republic Services. We are honored to be the Dodgers' partner in this great program."
"The City of Los Angeles and the NL West Division Champions Los Angeles Dodgers, have had a long standing partnership to enhance the experience of our youths in playing baseball on world class Dodgers Dreamfields. In close collaboration with our friends at the LA84 Foundation, a positive outcome of the 1984 Olympics, we are excited to open the 22nd and 23rd Dodgers Dreamfields in the City of Los Angeles at Rancho Cienega Park," said Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manager, Recreation and Parks. "We want to congratulate the Dodger team on their success and thank the entire organization for their solid support of our communities through the enhancement of these fields. I want to also thank the LA84 Foundation for their positive and substantial support of the Department, as well our newest supporter Republic Services. This model partnership continues to bring social equity to all parts of our world class city."
"LA is a great baseball town. Having a Dodgers Dreamfield at Rancho Cienega is for me a personal dream come true," said Council President Herb J. Wesson, Jr., LA City Council, Tenth District. "However, baseball in the inner city is in need of support and I am grateful for the Dodger Foundation and its decision to come to this community, the community I represent. I look forward to a resurgence of interest in baseball and to be able to develop great players right here at home."
Rancho Cienega Recreation Center's first field includes new backstop mesh, side and outfield fencing with a concrete mow strip, new metal dugout roofs, a Laser Level infield surface, new infield mix, new bases, soil prep and laser level outfield surface and new sod in the outfield, a renovated irrigation system, new metal storage box, new solar powered wireless scoreboard with signage panels and field signage. The second field's enhancements include side and outfield fencing, Laser level infield surface, new infield mix and a new solar powered wireless scoreboard with signage panels.
About the LA84 Foundation
The LA84 Foundation was established to manage Southern California's share of the surplus from the highly successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Foundation received $93 million at its inception. Since it began operations in 1985, it has invested more than $214 million in sports programs serving more than two and a half million youth in the eight Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The Foundation awards grants, initiates sports programs, offers coaching education and convenes numerous forums for the exploration of the most pressing issues in sport.
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in U.S. non-hazardous solid waste and recycling. Through its subsidiaries, Republic's collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills focus on providing reliable environmental services and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. Republic and its employees believe in protecting the planet and applying common sense solutions to customers' waste and recycling challenges. For more information, visit the Republic website at republicservices.com.
About the Department of Recreation and Parks
The Department of Recreation and Parks maintains over 15,710 acres of parkland with over 400 neighborhood and regional parks, 184 recreation centers and facilities, 368 children's play areas, 321 tennis courts, 256 ball fields, 31 senior centers, 13 golf courses, nine dog parks, 21 skate parks, 12 museums and 29 Universally Accessible Playgrounds. The Department also provides after school and day care programs for children and teens as well as sports leagues including basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and flag football. For more information, please visit www.laparks.org.