Lake Los Angeles made their choices known.

Lake Los Angeles – Stephen Sorensen Park – Where it started was on Friday, May 16, 2025, a group assigned to propose, interview, record and analyze responses to this proposition attended the Parks After Sunset event at Stephen Sorensen Community Regional Park.

Friday evening, July 12, 2025, a very well attended meeting with architectural representatives from office42 came to the community to solicit opinions and record choices on what we, as a community, would want to see in our park and which location out of three suggestions for the proposed Wellness Center. A Spanish interpreter was provided for our Hispanic community members. There were 45 community members in attendance at this vital community meeting.

In attendance was community-based support from SBCC, Crocheting for a Cause, Lake LA Seniors, Wilsona School District, Save the Children and Escape Room. The program represented Wellness Center choices being presented by Los Angele County Mental Health and Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation.

SBCC’s Community Closet brought two racks of clothing for people to choose from plus Escape Room sanitary supplies and information about SBCC’s services and events in the community.

Mistress of Ceremonies was Ms. Stephanie Ragle with the firm office42. She introduced her team and then called upon Erika Schwerdt to make the introductions. Although Lake Los Angeles is often the ‘forgotten community’, Erika said, “We are here to be part of solutions and not complain. We need to meet the moment and help each other. We want to collaborate and see that our community voice is heard.”

Ms. Ragle’s presentation covered such items as types of groups being small, medium and large. An example of a small group would be Happy Chat Bench, a medium sized group would be Group Interaction, and a large group would be Community Connected.

Signage is being designed individually for our park. We would have impressive large poles, lighting, shade, fences, groundscapes, outdoor furniture, equipment and trees to name some of the amenities. A brisk Q&A session followed the presentation where some very interesting and original questions were expressed. The community members were fully engaged. The results were important to the development of the project. There are no two parks alike and each needs to meet the needs and character of the individual park.

At the advanced age of 9, Ms. Lali Schwerdt and Ms. Gemma McGrady took part in the discussions and filled out the survey form being representative of the young people who come to the park like the adults with expectations of enjoyment, security, companionship and the community’s recreation opportunities, connection to nature, a safe place for our children and families, a social hub, one that serves the whole community, filling community-based recreation, athletic and open-space needs, seating areas, and as a civic center. Our park has an attractive design very pleasing to the eye, accessible amenities and play areas for everyone. Adding a Wellness Center enhances all of the above.

The three choices for the location of this proposed Wellness Center are close to the parking on the east side where the picnic tables are located, where the horseshoe area is near existing mature trees, and between the softball field and soccer field. A discussion produced opinions about how all three would work beautifully. All of our opinions and choices will be analyzed, planned, constructed and brought to our park.

A special dinner of Thai food was enjoyed and most plentiful, enough for some take home boxes.

Parks are critical public assets. They contribute to crime prevention and overall community wellbeing. Parks provide essential public infrastructure. We need our precious park. We need all of the above.

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