MEDIA ADVISORY

RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR OPENING OF WESTCHESTER SPORTS FIELD PARKING LOT

• Volunteers Paved Lot Just in Time for Spring Season
• Unique Park Next to Landing Airplanes Gives Needed Space for Kids’ Sports
• 2,000 Kids Play Sports at Westchester Facility Every Weekend

WHAT: A sports field parking lot on Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) land was newly paved using entirely volunteer efforts, grassroots fundraising and in-kind donations of labor and materials. At this event, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) officials, community leaders and the Westchester Playa del Rey Youth Foundation (a non-profit group sponsoring organized sports for kids) will dedicate the parking lot and mark the beginning of this year’s season.

WHY: Westchester Playa del Rey Youth Foundation faced major fines from the Air Quality Management District if it did not pave the Nielsen Field parking lot. There was no budget for the construction, valued at more than $100,000 so Youth Foundation leaders found a volunteer way to make it work. No money for the kids’ programs was used, and no money was borrowed from local institutions. Nielsen Field is an important institution, as more than 2,000 kids play organized sports every weekend. It is one of very few sports facilities in an area with high demand. In fact, some kids were unfortunately turned away from AYSO soccer last year due to lack of space.

PHOTO OPPS: Planes landing at LAX fly low, a few hundred yards from kids of all ages playing soccer, baseball and softball. The site sits on airport land, and in a unique arrangement, is leased to the Westchester Playa del Rey Youth Foundation for $1 a year.

WHERE: Nielsen Field is at the corner of Wiley Post St. and Yorktown St. in Westchester. It is north of and adjacent to Lot D at LAX. From the 405 freeway, take Manchester west. After crossing Airport Blvd., turn left at Wiley Post and drive ¼ mile to the park.

WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Ribbon Cutting and Opening Ceremony 1:00 p.m.
• Acknowledgement Ceremony 1:30 p.m.

CONTACTS: David Kissinger at (310) 568-8772 or Geoff Maleman at (310) 645-2295