Playtime Begins at Oak Mesa Park 🎉
In today's newsletter, residents celebrate a new, fully inclusive playground—plus the stories we're working on next and changes to our newsletter schedule. Thanks for reading!
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New Inclusive Playground Opens at Oak Mesa Park
Residents gathered Monday for the grand opening of the new Oak Mesa playground, a fully inclusive play space funded through the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District’s 2016 Measure A.
A crowd of excited children joined La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn to unveil the new Oak Mesa Park playground. Video by Luis Garcia Romero for La Verne Daily News.Video by Luis Garcia Romero for La Verne Daily News
The City, which has more than 20 parks, added two new Miracle Playground structures at the site—one designed for children ages 2–5 and another recommended for children 5-12. Both play areas are intended to support children of all abilities.
La Verne resident Camila Araujo was at the opening with her children, including Livia, 8, who attends Oak Mesa Elementary School. Livia described the playground simply as, “Good. It’s really good!” before hurrying back to play.
Several parents and caregivers noted that the playground’s location makes it especially appealing. “It’s in such a great neighborhood, and you have Heritage Park right down the hill,” said Andrea Liera of Pomona, who brought her 8-year-old grandson Parker to the grand opening. “There’s so much going on in the area.”
La Verne resident Amrita Taylor, who was also at the playground Monday with her 5-year-old daughter Ariya, said “I think it’s great that it’s so close to the school.”
The project updates a decades-old play structure that no longer aligned with current accessibility and safety standards.
Liera said, “kids love new.”
📸 See more photos and video from the Oak Mesa Park playground grand opening on our Instagram: La Verne Daily News.
La Verne Parks and Recreation Director Yvonne Duran said inclusive playgrounds are important for a community because “they ensures children of all abilities can play safely amongst their peers.” “They also create vibrant hubs where families want to gather,” Duran said.
Funding for the improvement project came from Measure A, which passed by an overwhelming majority of Los Angeles County voters in 2016, according to the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District website. The measure established an annual parcel tax based on the square feet of improvement, intended to boost investment in local parks, safe play spaces, and natural resource protection. For a 2,000-square-foot home, that adds up to about $30 annually. Certain properties are exempt based on County Assessor determinations.
La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn said the new playground reflects the community benefits Measure A was intended to provide. “This is a great example of regional dollars delivering real neighborhood benefits,” he said before cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony. He added that the space was “designed for children of all abilities,” highlighting features such as rubberized surfacing, shade structures, accessible bridges and pathways, and interactive elements that support imaginative and active play. “Even with a little rain, you can still play out here,” he said. Lights around the playground will also allow evening visits. “Get your kids here and have a great time!” Hepburn said.
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✏️ Draft Mode — What We’re Working On Next
- City Council approved updated development impact fees during its meeting Nov. 17. We’re working on an explainer story with more information and a breakdown of the fees.
- What’s the status of the Metro project from Lone Hill Avenue to White Avenue? We’ve spoken with LA Metro, Metrolink and the City’s engineer. Story coming soon!
- What’s the status of the La Verne Police Department contract? We’re hoping to hear back from the La Verne Police Officers Association this week.
🔎What else would you like us to look into? Email staci@lavernedaily.org
Timing Is Everything — And We’re Dialing Ours In.
Starting Nov. 29, we’re shifting our newsletter schedule to make it even easier to stay in the loop. Our events-focused newsletter will now land in your inbox on Thursdays, and local news will arrive on Saturdays.
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