Diana Martinez | San Fernando Sun
PACOIMA, Calif. — When the kids from Pacoima walk into sports competitions they have style. Their jerseys stand out – the letters RVRC – are artfully shaped to form a guitar, a perfect logo for Ritchie Valens Recreation Center.
Named after the rock ‘n’ roll legend, RVRC has been the after-school spot for local kids including those from nearby Pacoima Middle and San Fernando High. They join sports teams and take classes just for fun at the park.
The Rec Center’s gym and outdoor fields are in constant motion rotating with baseball, soccer, basketball, flag football, tennis and pickleball. There’s a skateboard park; golf is offered off site and swimming during summer months.
Classes are equally busy with dance, folklorico, guitar, aerobics, drill team, gymnastics, karate and more.
Pacoima is 90% Latino with Mexican American families who’ve proudly lived in the community for generations alongside immigrants from Mexico and Central America who use the park around the clock on weekends for Futbol competitions.
The park reflects the history, culture and so many memories for those who grew up in Pacoima and the surrounding Northeast San Fernando Valley.
The Ritchie Valens story is handed down like a precious gift and is a source of pride that connects those from the neighborhood. During big games, the Valens hit La Bamba is played as a rallying song which brings an outburst of cheers with the crowd singing along with joy.
Musicians enjoy performing under the mural of the late rocker located at the park’s outdoor stage and the audience appreciates the setting. But what is unexpected and most impressive for people who walk into the lobby of the Recreation Center for the first time, is to see a case of Ritchie Valens memorabilia with photos, news clippings and shiny gold records.
When kids look into the case and learn Ritchie Valens was born and raised in Pacoima just like them — they light up with a smile. It’s meaningful to them that Valens, whose birth name was Richard Steven Valenzuela reached musical success when he was a teenager and his songs that pioneered Latino rock are still popular and recognized around the world.
“People come in all the time and share their memories growing up here,” said Christina Conyers, Senior Recreation Director. “Often times they mention knowing Ritchie Valens’ family or share their experiences at the park.”
“The UPS guy who just came in to deliver our sports equipment the other day said, ‘Hey, I played basketball here when I was a kid.’ He came into the lobby and kind of took it all in, remembering when he was a kid standing in that same very spot,” said Conyers. “We even get tourists who come here sometimes and ask to take photos,” she said.
The strongest testimony, however, comes from the parents who’ve enrolled their children in the park’s activities because it did them a lot of good to be at the park when they were kids.
It Takes a Village
Lupe Paez is one of the parents who grew up going to RVRC. “We lived just a block and a half away so during the summer, I used to walk to the pool and swim, I was given a free lunch, and I’d stay there swimming until my parents got out of work.”
Now, a mother of 5 daughters from 2 to 15 years old, Paez is at the park so often with her girls that other parents would go to her to ask their questions. That didn’t go unnoticed –she was asked to be a member of the park’s advisory board, which she accepted.
“I’m not in the office like staff, I’m out in the field, on the court so other parents feel comfortable coming to tell me what they love and what they need.
She is pleased that most of the park’s activities only cost $10.00, which helps the low-income community especially those with large families.
She said at this park, families really get to know each other.
“My daughters have made good friends at the park, and I’ve made a lot of Mom friends here too and we help each other.” said Paez.
“A lot of families have multiple kids and when you have children whose games are at the same time but on different fields, one mom will help the other by walking one of the kids to the other field.” said Paez. “And when there are parents that work late and they’re not able to take their kids to practice or to games, my husband and I will help pick them up. That goes for all the families, we help each other out so the kids can participate,” she said.
“I like the community, how everyone’s so uplifting with one another,” said 15-year-old Emma, Paez’ daughter. “The coaches are nice.”
Her 11-year-old sister Naomi agrees that those she meets at RVRC are special to her. “I like playing basketball, soccer and volleyball, but most of all hanging out with the staff and making new friends.”
Hearing this makes Paez happy.
“For the kids, being at the park is just sports and fun, right? But they’re getting exercise and we’re introducing them to a healthy lifestyle,” said Paez.
“My daughters also really look forward to going to the park’s summer camp and seeing that group of friends each year. They may go to different schools during the year, but they reconnect at the park during the summer. They’re growing up together as a tight knit community making lasting friendships,” Paez said.
Girl’s Play LA
Girls playing sports is encouraged at RVRC and The Girls Play Los Angeles (GPLA) is well established at this park. You see little girls as young as 3 and 5 playing soccer as the “Tiny Kickers” and playing basketball. “It’s the cutest thing to watch,” said Conyers.
On the other hand, old beliefs that sports are just for boys still exist and can hold girls back from sports. Conyers has encountered this double standard too.
“I saw a Dad whose daughter was begging him to sign her up for basketball, but he didn’t want to and was just signing up his son. His daughter was pleading, telling him she just wanted to try it, but he was resistant.”
Conyers, a strong advocate for girls playing sports, recognized that there may have been cultural differences but said after having a conversation, she was able to convince him.
“I told him it’s a girl’s league and, it’s for beginners and it’s just fun. He finally relented and signed her up.”
Conyers said that was a rewarding day for her. Sports she said teaches life lessons. A girls’ sports program can also be a pathway for scholarships and college.
Entertainment and Culture
Ruben Rodriguez, the director of Pueblo Y Salud, a local non-profit has memories of the park starting at 12 years old. “In the late 60’s, me and my friends would ride our bikes to the park, and we’d go and hit the punching bag,” Rodriguez chuckled at the memory.
“On our bikes, we’d go from the park to the Laurel drive-in movie theater close by and we’d sit on the fence and watch the show.” My younger brother Adrian got his lifeguard training and certificate at the pool, and he became a lifeguard for the city.”
Rodriguez, now 75, is still utilizing the park today. As one of the organizers for the Cesar Chavez March for Justice held recently, Rodriguez said it is fortunate the route for the march ends at RVRC because the park has the capacity to hold a large cultural event for the community.
“We had a day-long resource fair with at least 30 organizations, an art exhibit, food vendors and showcased young dancers and musicians, all local talent,” said Rodriguez. “We’re fortunate to have such valuable land for a large park in this part of our community.”
The park has several special events throughout the year. A spring egg hunt, a carnival for Mother’s Day weekend, and every November it’s the gathering spot for the thousands who attend the San Fernando Veteran’s Parade, one of the largest in LA County.
It’s really important that Richie Valens Recreation Center and the park exists, said Conyers. “It draws a lot of families and community members together, because there’s just so much to do here. It’s the hub of the community.”
“My daughter’s call it our home away from home,” said Paez.
This story was produced by Ethnic Media Services 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.
