Billy Gill Serenades Parkman Triangle

Thank you everyone for coming by Sunday night!  We had a small but grateful turnout Sunday evening, thanks to Billy Gill, who sang some of his songs, played the guitar, and gave out his latest CD.

We really want to get the word out that this space, Parkman Triangle, is everyone’s space.  Although the City of LA and the Silver Lake Improvement Council gave us grants to transform this patch of asphalt into a green space, the City will not maintain it.  It is up to us to keep it weeded and free of trash.

The next event will probably be a late-morning gathering, focused on families with children.  We love the idea of having face painting or other children’s activities.  If you are interested in helping out, please contact us.

We also plan on having a presence at the Music Box Steps Film Festival on October 23^rd.

Thank you again for your help in keeping Parkman Triangle looking great!

Music and Lemonade at the Tri!

Join us late Sunday afternoon, October 3, at Parkman Triangle for some acoustic guitar music by Los Angeles musician Billy Gill, who, I must add, is an outstanding yoga instructor!

We will meet for about an hour at 5:30 p.m. Feel free to hang out and enjoy the tunes, and ask any questions you may have about Parkman Triangle.

So far the trash problem has been minimal, but we would appreciate some help with the weeding. We are allowing the jacaranda seedlings to grow, but the various weeds are quite persistent.

The heat should break by then, so we want to time it so that we have an hour until sunset, and when traffic is lighter.

If possible bring gardening tools and gloves if you plan on helping with the micro-park's maintenance.

Sunday evening is an opportunity to not only be a part of your neighborhood, but to enjoy the sounds of a talented local artist.

NBC Channel 4 Covers Parkman Triangle!

It was a last minute request, but local NBC affiliate Channel 4 sent an editor to Parkman Triangle this morning.




The editors taped a brief segment with Ara Babaian, which will be broadcast regularly on their TV and digital channels, and will be on Channel 4’s web site as well.



The brief on Parkman Triangle will be part of series that explores various Los Angeles neighborhoods, with the goal to show locals and visitors spots in LA that merit a visit—going beyond the standards like Universal Studios, Hollywood and the Grove.



Let’s just face it, we are in one great neighborhood, with lots of options for eating, drinking, shopping, and “hanging out” on the stretch from Sunset Junction to the reservoir.



For Channel 4 to choose Parkman Triangle is pretty sweet. As Eliane, a media intern said, “At first I saw the pictures and had no idea what the big deal was—then I came here and I was blown away!”



Special thanks to Mekahlo “Mac” Medina, NBC 4’s Digital Journalist Manager, for the coverage.



Tune in this October!

The Ribbon is Cut - Parkman Triangle Is Open!

After two years of applications, planning, negotiating, and working, Parkman Triangle is finally open. You can now grab a cafecito at Cafe Tropical and enjoy it with a guava cheese pie on one of the rocks (just throw away your trash, of course!).

About 40 or so people showed up for the opening of Silver Lake's newest micro-park. Eric Garcetti, whose support was crucial for this project's success, shared a few words. He mentioned that Parkman Triangle is a great example of how government can work. After all, it's not THE government, it's OUR government. He and his aide, Ryan Carpio, were a huge asset—Ryan and the council member were instrumental in paying for the demolition of those two layers of pavement that buried what was once a turn lane.

John Southern and Ara Babaian, whose work on evenings and weekends made Parkman Triangle a reality, shared a few words, too. They thanked many locals, like David Davis, who were passionate about transforming this ugly patch of asphalt--that was a heat island that attracted garbage and illegal parking--into a green space that anyone visiting the neighborhood south of Sunset Boulevard can enjoy.

The work is not over. We want to try to maintain Parkman Triangle as long as we can without hiring professionals to maintain it, but the City of LA will NOT spend funds on the upkeep of this park. It is up to us!

We need the help of donors who can match the generosity of its sponsors. You can also follow its progress on our Facebook Page.

Stay tuned; we want to organize monthly Sunday evenings where we can have acoustic music, allowing neighbors to get to know each other while helping with the upkeep of the park.

Let's keep the momentum going—and turn other blighted areas into something special.

The photos are courtesy of Will Campbell.

Welcome to Parkman Triangle Group!

Welcome to Parkman Triangle Group!

We are the folks who turned a patch of asphalt on Silver Lake Boulevard and Parkman Avenue into a green space that will be a focal point for our neighborhood south of Sunset Boulevard.

It's been a long road.  After years of wishing, two years of planning, and 8 weekends of volunteer work, we are done!

LA's Office of Community Beautification, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, and local businesses all contributed to this transformation.  Eric Garcetti's office also had a huge role--special thanks to the council president and his staff.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is tomorrow, Saturday August 14, at 11:00 a.m.



More to come! 

And after!