By Joseph Fa’avae | Island Block Radio
Tony Rico is a transplant from Memphis, Tennessee who is a commercial truck driver that lives in Downtown Los Angeles. In a conversation with Joseph Fa’avae, a contributing writer for Island Block Radio, he discussed the importance of true green spaces and his dreams of a vibrant, multi-use park filled with trees, community gardens, and active programming that fosters community connection without displacing the very residents it’s meant to serve.
Island Block Radio: To start, could you tell me your name, how long you’ve lived in this neighborhood, and what you like most about living here?
Tony Rico: “Name’s Tony Rico. I’ve been in downtown LA for about twelve years now, moved here for school and just never left. What I like most? The energy, man. It’s always moving. You got the best food, the art scene is crazy, and everything you need is basically within walking distance… except, you know, the one thing we’re talking about, a park.”
IBR: Thinking about your day-to-day life, where do you currently go to spend time outside, relax, or get some fresh air?
TR: Honestly? My fire escape. Sad, right? If I want real fresh air, I have to make an effort. Sometimes I’ll walk over to the steps at the Music Center or find a bench at Grand Park, but that’s more for people watching than relaxing. It’s not exactly a peaceful retreat.
IBR: Are there any parks or public spaces you currently use? What do you do there? What’s that experience like for you?
TR: Grand Park is the main one which is not in walking distance. I’ll meet friends there for a lunch break sometimes, or just scroll through my phone on a bench. It’s… fine. It’s concrete. It’s crowded during events and kinda empty other times. It feels more like a plaza they put some grass on than a real park. There’s no shade, no sense of escape from the city. You’re always aware you’re in the middle of a downtown hustle.
IBR: If you don’t use the existing parks, what are the reasons? (e.g., too far, feels unsafe, nothing to do, not maintained).
TR: It’s not that I don’t use them at all, but I don’t enjoy them like a park should be enjoyed. They don’t feel like an escape. They feel like another part of the concrete jungle. Sometimes they can feel a little sketchy, too, depending on the time of day. Not a place you’d wanna just lay out a blanket and read a book.
IBR: If you could dream up a perfect new park for this neighborhood, what is the first thing that comes to mind? What would it look like?
TR: The first thing that comes to mind is green. And quiet. I’m imagining a place that actually muffles the city noise. Lots of big, mature trees for shade. Rolling hills of grass, not just flat lawn. Maybe a small, peaceful pond or water feature you can hear. A place that feels like a real oasis, like you’ve stepped out of L.A. for ten minutes.”
IBR: What would make this park a great place for children and families? (e.g., specific playground equipment, splash pads, safe, open fields).
TR: A really creative, modern playground for sure—something that isn’t just a generic plastic set. A splash pad is a must, especially with our heat. Most importantly, it has to be completely fenced in and visible from plenty of benches so parents can actually relax without worrying their kid will run off near a street.
IBR: What would make it a place where teenagers and young adults would want to spend their time? (e.g., skate park, basketball courts, Wi-Fi, seating areas to hang out).
TR: Free, strong Wi-Fi is non-negotiable. You need areas with cool, comfortable seating where groups can hang out without being hassled. A skate park or some kind of skate able terrain would be huge. Also, maybe some outdoor Ping-Pong, pickle ball or foosball tables. Basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields definitely. But also, just spaces to be without having to spend money.
IBR: What would make it a welcoming and useful place for adults and seniors? (e.g., peaceful gardens, walking paths, shaded benches, game tables).
TR: Smooth, paved walking paths that are a good distance for a real walk. Tons and tons of shaded benches, everywhere. A dedicated, quiet community garden area where people can have their own plots. And some chess/checker tables maybe even a dedicated shaded pavilion for that.
IBR: Let’s talk about specific things to have in the park. Which of these would be most important to you?
TR: Basketball courts, for sure. Maybe some pickle ball courts—everyone’s into that now. Walking loops/jogging paths: Absolutely essential. Community gardens: Yes, 100%. Dog park: A separate, fenced area for big and small dogs. Downtown has so many dogs. Performance stage: A small amphitheater for local bands and movie nights would be amazing. Public art and murals: Definitely. It should feel like our park, and local artists should be a part of that.
IBR: Many people imagine a community center within a park. If this park had a building, what should be inside it?
TR: Classes & Programs: Yoga in the park would be great. Maybe some art classes, coding workshops for kids, cooking classes. Stuff that’s useful and brings people together. Services: A small, modern library branch would be incredible. A coffee shop that’s affordable, not some fancy $7 latte place. Meeting rooms that local groups can use for free. Focus on Seniors: Gentle tai chi or yoga, social clubs for chess or book clubs, a daily coffee hour. Focus on Youth: After-school homework help/tutoring, music programs, a safe space for teens to just be.
IBR: What would make this park feel like a safe and comfortable place for everyone?
TR: Good lighting is number one. It has to feel safe at night. The number one thing, though, is having people in it. If you have active programming—yoga classes, movie nights, and farmers markets—it keeps the park full and lively, which naturally makes it safer. Also, having park staff or ambassadors around, not just security guards, makes a big difference. It should feel cared for, not patrolled.
IBR: If this dream park became a reality, would you be interested in helping to care for it or make decisions about it? How?
TR: Yeah, I would. I’m busy, but for something like this, I’d make time. I’d join a ‘friends of the park’ group for sure. I’m not much of a gardener, but I’d volunteer for cleanup days or help plan a community event. I think if people have a hand in it, they’ll respect it more.
IBR: What is your biggest worry or concern about building a new park in this neighborhood?
TR: My biggest worry is that it becomes a tool for gentrification. That they build this beautiful park, and then all the rents around it skyrocket and push out the people who’ve been here forever and who the park was supposedly built for. The second biggest worry is that the city builds it and then just abandons it, and it turns into a dirty, neglected space in five years because there’s no budget to maintain it.
IBR: Is there anything else you think is important for the people designing this park to know about you, your family, or this community?
TR: Just that this community is a mix of everyone: long-time residents, new transplants, and families in apartments, young professionals, and seniors. The park can’t just be for one group. It needs to have something that makes all of us feel like we belong there and that it’s our shared backyard. We need a place to connect with nature and each other, not just more concrete.
IBR: Thank you so much for your time and your incredible ideas.
TR: Hey, thank you for asking. Seriously. It feels good to actually dream about it for a minute instead of just complaining that we don’t have one. I hope this happens.
This story was produced by American Community Media in collaboration with the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA as part of the Greening American Cities initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund. Read more stories like this by visiting the Greening Communities homepage.
