Local News in Brief : $500,000 to Fix Up Playgrounds Voted

A City Council panel has approved spending $500,000 to upgrade run-down, neglected recreation facilities at eight Los Angeles housing projects.

City Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, who recommended spending the money to bring the projects’ baseball diamonds, gyms and other facilities up to the level of other city parks, said $3.5 million will be needed.

The balance of the money for improvements will come from the city Housing Authority, and the city may contribute more money later. The projects that will be improved are Nickerson Gardens, Jordan Downs, Imperial Courts, Pueblo del Rio, Rancho San Pedro, Mar Vista Gardens, Ramona Gardens and Aliso-Pico Village.

Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, who toured the Nickerson Gardens facility this week, said that “years of neglect have resulted in run-down, dilapidated playgrounds in need of a massive infusion of cash.”