The Department’s mission is to help to improve the quality of life for all citizens through innovative programs and facilities of recreation. Included in the overall community services efforts are programs that generate family wellness and promote individual self-esteem. Traditional service delivery paradigms are being challenged. As a result, recreation programs that emphasize throwing out balls and bats to kids are not enough and are augmented with programs that promote feelings of accomplishment and fulfillment; a sense of connectedness and community; life-long learning and joy through sponsored and city-assisted recreation programs.
The City of Inglewood has 10 parks that include two recreational centers, Lockhaven Community Center, Veterans’ Memorial Building and a senior citizens’ center which are available to the residents for their leisure time activities. The Parks Division provides maintenance for these sites as well as for street median/islands and approximately 45,000 trees. In addition, the Parks Division services the Civic Center Complex, Grevillea Mall, Water Treatment Plant, City Service Center, four Fire Stations and 35 acres of parkways.
The Parks Division takes pride in the care, upkeep and maintenance of City libraries, park grounds, medians, parkways, public restrooms, open green space and approximately 26,000 trees planted throughout the city. The Division encourages citizen participation in community beautification by presenting an Annual Fall and Spring Planting Project, in conjunction with the Inglewood Beautification Association (IBA) For more information about the planting projects please call (310) 412-8700.
Code Enforcement Division
The mission of the Code Enforcement Division is to enhance and safeguard the City's community beautification and economic development efforts through the enforcement of the City’s property maintenance, zoning, and weed and waste abatement policy through (1) conducting approximately 35,000 property maintenance and zoning inspections annually, (2) holding office hearings, processing criminal complaints, testifying in court, and (3) expanding enforcement of illegal vendor operations. The Division is located on the 7th floor of City Hall and may be contacted at (310) 412-5590.
Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club Program starts meeting in September and continues through the school year. These clubs meet Monday through Friday at Darby and Rogers Parks. This program is designed to enhance recreation fitness, physical and social skills for local middle school youth. Activities include a variety of community service projects, dances, fundraisers, field trips, speakers and more. For more information, please call Darby Park, (310) 412-5391, or Rogers Park, (310) 412-5504.
After School Recreation Program
The After School Recreation Program provides recreation-centered activities like music, art, sports, dance, and school study groups for homework completion. The programs operate Monday through Friday for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, and attend Bennett Kew, Worthington, Hudnall, Payne, Oak, Freeman, Highland, and Saint John’s schools. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is an annual registration fee of $2 per month per child plus a fee of $30 per month per child. A family rate of $60 per month is offered for a family with two or more children. Payments are due on the first of each month. For more information, please contact the respective offices: Darby Park, (310) 412-5391; Rogers Park, (310) 412-5504; and Veterans Memorial Building, (310) 412-5412. The City of Inglewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department sponsors the After School Recreation Program.
Middle School Program
The Middle School Program is offered at Rogers Park and Darby Park for middle school students attending Inglewood schools. Activities include monthly dances with a live disc jockey, entertainment, and occasional field trips. For more information, please call Darby Park at (310) 412-5391 or Rogers Park at (310) 412-5504.
Senior Citizens
There are five senior citizens clubs in our City with approximately 1,700 members in the Association of Senior Citizen Clubs. The clubs are composed of men and women 50 years of age and older. Activities include dancing, card playing, field trips, singing, arts and crafts, movies and lectures. Also see the “Senior Citizens Multi-Purpose Center” item on the next page.
Early Childhood Education Program (Pre-School)
The City of Inglewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department Early Childhood Education Program has been successful in developing a plethora of learning activities for small children. Activities are geared to each specific age group and include small and large motor skill development, rhythm and musical activities, science exploration and reading readiness. The program is operated at five locations — Darby Park, Lockhaven Community Center, Rogers Park, Siminski Park and Vincent Park — with morning and afternoon classes
Cultural Section
This program serves people of all ages, from pre-school to senior citizens. Classes are designed so that participants may progress from basic techniques to more advanced skills. The program is divided into six categories: art, drama, dance, music, special interest activities, and special events. Programs change continually in order to keep pace with the needs and interests of the participants. For information, call the Cultural Section at (310) 412-8700.
Inglewood Playhouse Theater
The Inglewood Playhouse, located in Vincent Park, features productions utilizing professional actors in dramatic works of value.
Sports Section
The sports program is designed to give citizens of our community the opportunity to participate in a variety of physical activities on a recreational basis
Adult Sports Program
Softball and basketball are the activities offered for adults.
Special Events
Special events program activities include the Cesar Chavez Day Celebration, Health Fair, July 4th Celebration, Cultural Arts Festival, Classic Car Show, and Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Off Track Recreation Program
Inglewood’s Off Track Recreation Program provides a free special recreation program for elementary school age students attending year-round schools in Inglewood. The program features daily activities of arts and crafts, exercise, quiet games, health and safety practices, nature study, active games, movies, music, story telling and guest speakers. Enrollment will be limited to the first 50 students. The program will be conducted Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, please call Darby Park (310) 412-5391.
Recreation Center Programs
Recreation centers at Darby Park, Rogers Park, Siminski Park and Vincent Park’s Veteran's Memorial Building are available for use by the citizens of our community. Meeting rooms are available for groups, as are kitchen facilities. Activities include slim and trim, folk dancing, crafts, physical fitness and other social, physical and cultural opportunities.
Swimming Pool Programs (Summer)
The chief activity of the swimming pool in Vincent Park includes recreation swimming and daily swimming instruction.
Boxing Program
Inglewood's Boxing Program is designed to serve youth 9 to 18 years of age. It operates year-round Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rogers Park. This program offers boxing training and exhibitions. Individuals and companies may call regarding sponsorship opportunities for youth boxers at (310) 412-5370 or 412-5504.
Tennis Courts
Tennis Courts in Vincent Park, Darby Park, Rogers Park, Ashwood Park and North Park are available to the general public on a daily basis. USTA-sanctioned tournaments are conducted.
Youth Tennis League
The City of Inglewood Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department offers a Youth Tennis League. The creation of the Inglewood Youth Tennis League is designed to feature competition for youths ages 8 through 18 years of age at Ashwood, Rogers, Darby, Vincent, and North Parks. This is a year-round program and will provide an atmosphere in which juniors can gain tennis experience and growth. The program features league play and provides instruction with emphasis on sportsmanship. Registration is continuous throughout the year.
Mobile Recreation Program
The Mobile Recreation Program targets boys and girls ages 8 to 16 years of age. Activities include basketball skills contest, three-on-three basketball, a soccer skills contest, soccer league, ping-pong tournament, dominoes, checkers tournament, arts and crafts, dance, karate and use of weight lifting equipment. For more information, please call (310) 412-5391.
Computer Lab and College
Resource Lab at Rogers Park
Free computer classes are offered for youth, families, and senior citizens. The college resource lab is equipped with college catalogs, applications, computers for on-line applications, and other college information. College recruiters, financial aid officers, college administrators, and college students conduct workshops throughout the year. For more information, please call (310) 412-5508.
SHAPE
Students Heightening Academic Performance through Education (SHAPE) provides homework assistance, tutoring and mentoring Mondays through Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rogers Park during the traditional school year. UCLA students staff the program. For more information call (310) 412-5508.
Community Service Opportunities for Inglewood Youth
The Inglewood Youth Action Plan serves as a guide to positive actions by youth. For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call (310) 412-5508.
Family Support Program
The Family Support Program offers counseling and referrals to families who may be experiencing difficulties with housing, food, language, children, school and other problems. Information may be obtained by calling (310) 412-5508.
Volunteer Program
The Department offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups 14 or over to share their time and talents, gaining valuable experiences, obtaining new skills or enhancing old ones, while participating in various recreation and community service programs. Volunteers can work from 3 to 40 hours per week. Regular assignments range from phoning homebound seniors, tutoring, mentoring, and teaching arts and crafts to producing promotional materials, coordinating Boys and Girls Club activities and coaching youth sports such as soccer, football, baseball and tennis, to name a few. In addition, special volunteer positions can be created for persons with special skills and interests. Training, recognition and special activities are reserved for volunteers who are scheduled on a regular basis. Persons interested in volunteering, please call (310) 412-8750 or visit one of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department service sites.
Inglewood Oral History Project
Teens are invited to volunteer to conduct research about the City of Inglewood and its history, and to interview and videotape Inglewood residents knowledgeable about Inglewood and provide programs to educate the community. Training is provided. For more information, please call (310) 412-8750.
Senior Citizens Multi-Purpose Center
The Inglewood Senior Community Center is for persons 50 years of age and older who seek information and assistance for problems unique to senior citizens. A variety of supportive services are offered, such as classes, recreation, nutrition, transportation, care management, information and referral, support groups and home-delivered meals for the homebound. For more information, please call (310) 412-5338.
I-Line Shuttle
Free transportation on the I-Line Shuttle is available throughout the downtown Inglewood area to retailers, banks, hospitals, parks and other community service centers. The shuttle, an old-fashioned trolley car, runs Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from Market Street to La Brea Avenue to Centinela and Daniel Freeman Hospital. Look for the I-Line Shuttle sign posted at several boarding stops and let the shuttle take you there. For more information, please call (310) 412-5338 or (310) 412-4378 for route information.
Discount Taxis
A discount taxi service is available for seniors and persons with disabilities (certified). Coupon books worth $30 are sold at the Senior Center for $5. Books are sold from the 4th through 10th of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, please call (310) 412-5338.
Discount RTD Senior and Disabled Persons' Bus Passes
Monthly bus passes are available for $6 at the Senior Center for Inglewood residents age 60 or older and disabled residents (certified). Passes are issued from the 25th of the month through the 10th of the following month from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, please call (310) 412-5338.
Transportation
The Senior Center provides door-to-door transportation in wheelchair lift-equipped vans for seniors and persons with disabilities (certified) who are residents of Inglewood, Hawthorne, and Lennox. Individual and group scheduling is available for medical, banking, shopping and other personal appointments within the three cities. Reservations may be made Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as early as two weeks in advance but preferably no later than three working days. Fare is $0.50 each way. Van passes for $5 per month are available for frequent riders. For more information, please call (310) 412-4378 or (310) 412-5338.
Parks, Recreation and Community Centers
Adobe Park
7634 Muirfield Ave.. (310) 649-6272
Ashwood Park
201 S. Ash Ave. (310) 412-5504
Center Park
3600 W. 111th St. (310) 412-5391
Circle Park
8300 Fifth Ave. (310) 412-5370
Darby Park
3400 Arbor Vitae St. (310) 412-5391
Lockhaven Community Center
11125 Doty Ave. (310) 412-5391
North Park
Hargrave/Wexham Avenues (310) 412-5370
Queen Park
652 Queen St. (310) 412-5370
Rogers Park
400 W. Beach Ave. (310) 412-5504
Siminski Park
9717 Inglewood Ave. (310) 412-5504
Veterans’ Memorial Building
330 Warren Lane (310) 412-5412
Vincent Park
700 Warren Lane (310) 412-5370
Senior Citizens’ Center
700 Warren Lane (310) 412-5338
Skate Parks
Inglewood has three thriving skate parks at the following locations:
Darby Park, 3400 W. Arbor Vitae
Rogers Park, 400 W. Beach
Vincent Park, 700 Warren Lane
The facilities range in size from 5,000 to 7,000 square feet, and are equipped with ramps, fun boxes, grind rails, benches, wedges and quarter pipes. The skate parks are open from dawn to dusk. Skaters are required to wear safety gear including a helmet with a fastened chinstrap, elbow pads and kneepads. Children age 14 years and younger must be supervised by an adult.