LOS ANGELES, Oct. 19, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Veterans Park, a non-profit, Los Angeles-based organization dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of more than 800 acres of federal property in West Los Angeles, today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration Health Care System to expand its activities to include property west of the 405 Freeway interchange.
Under the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, the venerable Wadsworth theatre, built in the 1920s, will be updated to become an important theatrical presence in Los Angeles. Architectural plans also include a new gateway at the northeast corner of San Vicente Boulevard with landscaped walkways and new recreational space for families to socialize. A dramatic Fountain of Remembrance will also be constructed to honor Veterans.
Activities to date have included restoration of the Spanish American War Memorial and new lighting to call attention to a prominent corner of the "Arlington of the West" at one of the busiest intersections in Los Angeles; a new gateway to the Los Angeles National Cemetery and construction of wrought iron fencing around its perimeter to replace the rusted chain link fences; and the planting of camphor, jacaranda and palm trees around the immediate area, as well as the median of Wilshire Boulevard from Veteran to San Vicente.
"Several years ago Wilshire Boulevard, between Veteran and San Vicente, was dedicated as "Veterans Parkway," and we had a vision to transform this west side property to world class status dedicated to the American Veteran. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding builds upon our recent accomplishments and momentum, and we look forward to working with Phil Thomas and other local Veterans Administration officials as we continue to realize our dream," said Bill Belding, president of Veterans Park.
Support by this unique private-public partnership, includes: the National Veterans Administration, the Los Angeles National Cemetery, MTA, Cal Trans, the Los Angeles Country Department of Public Works, the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Regional Park and Open Space District, the General Services Administration, the Virginia and Gerald Oppenheimer Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Ahmanson Foundation, the Strauss Foundation, the Wasserman Foundation, the Thomas and Ruth Jones Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, The Weingart Foundation, a California State Resource Grant, the Los Angeles County Open Space Program, as well as local residents, businesses, civic leaders and veterans from World War II through the Persian Gulf.