The Yosemite Recreation Center: an analysis

(All photos by Eva Jones)

If you’re from Eagle Rock, chances are you know about Yosemite Recreation Center. From the bustling playground to the sports gymnasium to the serene hiking trails, this is a place for everyone. Established in 1889, this common ground for all ages is a place where anyone can go to be active or relax. This center is vital to ERHS; not only because we use its pool for swim class, but also because many students like myself flock to it after school to get food and hang out. 

I talked to a few facility members who work there, and they gave me some insight into the background of the park, as well as knowledge about the inner workings there.

They told me that a lot goes into making the park a pleasant place. The main jobs there include overseeing the sports, summer camps, and after-school programs. Many of the employees have worked there for over seven years — showing commitment to their trade. There is custodial staff, as well as someone who watches over each job to make sure that it is carried out in the intended way.

When asked about their favorite thing about the park, here’s what they had to say:

"I like the variety. Every day is different. There’s always something that keeps things interesting. From something fun the staff is doing to chaos with the high school. Every day is a different day." - Jennifer Rockwell, Sr. Recreation Facility Director

The most common demographic of people at the park is teenagers, which makes sense since it’s across the street from our very own Eagle Rock High School. Many of my friends come there to relax before getting picked up, and some of us meet there before going somewhere else. It comes as no surprise that the other large group that made up the people who go there is kids. The after-school program at the park is a place for elementary schoolers — mainly from Eagle Rock Elementary and Toland Way — to do homework, play on the playground, and have fun with their friends. Adults walk them to the park straight from school where their parents can pick them up at a later time.

Most of the programming at the park is geared toward kids ages three to 16. There are lots of fun events, such as a Halloween Carnival, a winter holiday celebration, and an Easter egg hunt. Additionally, over the summer, there is a camp where kids can swim in the pool, play games at the park, and go on day trips to the beach.

Most people believe that the playground at the front of the park is the only attraction in it; however, there are lots of activities there. If you keep walking past the pool, there’s a field and amphitheater where you can relax with your friends. There is also a hiking trail where you’ll find a view of the city. 

I talked to a couple of people about the sports program at the park, and they all agreed that it was a blast. The wide variety of activities is a reason to try them out, and people say they have learned a lot.

"I like doing sports at Yosemite Rec Center. I think that the basketball is organized well and it’s fun…I thought that volleyball was well-run." - Lennon Turner, 8th Grade

While most of the marketing of the park is to kids, there are also plenty of adults that go there. People play tennis in the mornings and evenings, and it’s also a nice place to be if you want some peace. The park employees admitted that they wish they could have more programming around adults, but without the proper space to do so, they have had to target most activities toward kids. Still, they make an effort to include adults in whatever way they can.

Most people immediately notice the stands right outside. Raspados, tacos, and ice cream are sold daily. It’s a nice snack for kids after school, and the vendors are always happy to assist people in any way. 

Lastly, I asked about graffiti and other problems at the park. According to the park managers, Yosemite is doing well compared to other parks in the area. Of course, teenagers are bound to cause trouble, but they’re cleaning the park frequently, and things are fairly peaceful lately. The only time there’s a lot of graffiti is when a three-day weekend happens, but during the week, the park looks very clean.

In summary, the Yosemite Recreation Center is an essential part of Eagle Rock. Students can appreciate the variety of sweet treats to choose from, the playground where you can climb, swing, or run, the gymnasium, which is noisy but lively, and the back of the park, where you can relax after a long day. I go there almost every day, and it’s nice to have a central area to meet up with friends after school. It’s also a good spot to reconvene before walking somewhere else. I hope that you’ve learned a little bit about the program, and the people making it run smoothly. If you’re looking for your next place to be after school, you’ve found it.