History Of Nielsen Park

In 1974 the first petitions for what was to become the park were started. This initial effort was for 15.5 acres, as opposed to the present 8.2 acres.

During 1976 a bunch of paper was submitted to the Airport including Environmental Impact, FAA, etc., reports. The President of the Foundation at that time was Bruce Thue. An estimated cost for Park development was approximately $350K.

In 1977 the lease began to become a reality, only to become temporarily slowed by dissatisfied neighbors. The result was a lease with several restrictions attached. The year of 1978 was a busy one. The first fund-raiser (to provide fencing) was started in March. The official ground-breaking (Carl Nielsen was the one person who made the Park happen through his dedication as shown in the Foundation records) took place and the SeaBees began the task of grading and leveling. Later the National Guard, using equipment loaned by LA City, completed the effort. Also of significance was the loss of Hollywood Park as home playing fields(4) by AYSO ⁽¹⁾ . Bob Hills was elected President of the Foundation. The youth groups of the Westchester area were polled to determine their interest in the Park. AYSO was enthusiastic. All other groups declined because they had fields and felt the Park would never become a reality.

A rather large dead zone of activity exists through 1980 and 1981, apparently due to the lack of interest from the baseball arena. On a positive note the Airport decided to fence the park and provide landscaping on the North and West sides.

In early 1982 things started to roll, mainly at the instigation of the Airport. "Start using the Park by DEC 31 or give it up" was the word. Hertz car rental donated $10,000. With this and previous moneys collected, the large (5 acre) area was developed into two soccer fields. The labor to install the irrigation system and develop the field was provided by AYSO and Foundation personnel. The Park was officially dedicated on Feb. 23, 1983, along with a lot of hoopla.

Beginning in 1983, Westchester Little League began a serious effort to move from Olsen Field to the Park. Threatened with a rental increase from $3000 to $5000, they felt it time to make the move. In March operating rules were established. In June a fee structure of $400/month was adopted. A direct mail fund raising to the community was conducted and netted some $7500. AYSO completed their first bumpy season. Little league began their field development.

1984 began with Little League opening day. In the months/years to follow Little League added two temporary trailers, dugouts, bleachers, a retaining wall, outfield fences and a scoreboard. This period was marked with a considerable amount of acrimony between the main users. However, in April AYSO had a change in administration which started to reverse the situation. The Bylaws were amended and at the end of the year Frances Stronks was elected President.

1985 was a quiet year with the using groups spending their time building, hauling, fixing, stuff at the Park instead of at home.

1986, on the other hand, was a busy (and positive) year. In May a formal proposal was sent to the Amateur Athletic Foundation (LAOC) requesting some $171,000 to complete the park. In July AYSO produced a real live lawnmower. And in November we received $55,000 from the LAOC (their operating rules exclude some of the items requested). Another direct mail solicitation was done, netting some $2700.

In the early part of 1987 the lease for the Park was renewed without most of the previous lease's conditions. In September, Little League requested and received Foundation approval to build a snackstand/booth/ storage area. This is available for all regular users of the Park. A contractor was found and work started on the Girls softball diamond (²) .

Work was temporarily stopped early in 1988 on the softball area because of complaints from a few neighbors. In the meantime, official approval was received from the Airport to build both snackstand and girls' field. The integration of the softball program into Park operations was finalized.

In their mid season of 1989, the girls started utilizing their field, leaving the vagrants, gophers and hassle of Westchester Park behind. Little League obtained permit approval and in the absence of DOA input, a sign code was adopted.

The girls’ field (²) was dedicated on opening day of 1990, Little League worked on their snackstand and at the end of 1990 the bylaws of the Foundation were formally amended to add the softball program.. The Foundation also participated in a joint fundraising with the Westchester Rotary Club.

In March of 1991 rumors began to surface regarding DOA intent not to renew the lease and locating a Child Care Center at Nielsen Park. The Foundation attempted to resolve the situation by quiet negotiation but in June the DOA position went public. The result was an outcry from the community and print media. In late June the mayor Tom Bradley expressed his support for the park with a visit and by August the Foundation had negotiated an agreement with the DOA which included the possibility of moving to another site.

A considerable amount of effort was spend discussing various alternatives including Emerson Manor, St. Bernard’s, and Loyola Boulevard (a 22 acre potential). The Foundation submitted a proposal that the DOA was receptive to but unable to complete due to funding problems and changes in administration. In March of 1992, a 5-year lease was approved.

1993 was a quiet year. The DOA continued to express an low level of interest in a Child Care Center. The Little League added a batting cage to the facility and remainder of Olympic funds provided portable backstops.

The years of 1994-95 were characterized a lack of activity regarding the Park due to uncertainties generated by DOA and Child Care Center. After numerous meeting, proposals, counters, etc. An agreement in principle was reached which traded the existing parking lot area (Center) for Airport area (parking) at the west and south sides of the park The lawnmower died and was replaced with the help of funding from all three users.

In the 1997 the DOA ( renamed Los Angeles World Airports) was able to obtain property in a more central location and abandoned its plans for a Child Dare Center at the park. Plans to install lighting for evening activities were formulated.

During the 1998-99 the Foundation modified and installed the irrigation system to use reclaimed water. This was a joint venture involving the Foundation, the Department of Airports and the Department of Water and Power.

editors  notes:    
¹ American Youth Soccer Organization - www.ayso7.com
2 The Kent D. Mace Field