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VAL VERDE PARK HISTORY

Val Verde has a long and illustrious past. I the early years it was a retreat for the aflluent black community
of central Los Angeles, often called the Black Palm Springs. The swimming pool, pageants, parades attracted
large crowds and many co-sponcers. The park was a focal point for citizen· involvement. Through the years the
neighborhood grew and slowly changed. Currently it is mostly Hispanic, with a sizable Caucasian population,
and a few black families in the area.
The Beginning In 1924 Sidney P. Dones sold parcels of land to Eureka Ville (original name). The depres-
sion hit the area hard. On June 20, 1927 the first of 53 acres was secured from Val Verde Properties. Harry M.
Waterman donated the land to Los Angeles County with the provision that is was to be developed and main-
tained as a county park. The Superintendent of Recreation Camps and Playgrounds together with the County
Forester, were in~tructed to proceed with preparation of an application to the W. P.A. in July 1935. The W. P.
A. made further improvements. Dedication of the swimming pool came in April of '39. The project was com-
pleted a year later. November 1949 saw the addition of the tennis courts. In 1950 Mr. Waterman was granted a
concession agreement. He is the "Father of Val Verde~" Val Verde Park was adopted as the official name of the
park by the board of supervisors in January 12th 1954. The park contained a club house and pool.
· Leon Perdue came to the County in 1942. He was the first "Negro director in the state of Califomia." 1 He
was a talented man. Working with the Chamber of Commerce·he orchestrated a wide variety of programs that
included Bathing Beauty Pageant, and Musclemen Show's, Fourth of July Dances, Christmas programs for tiny
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tots, and many lesser events. Leon's motto was "It is·a great deal easier to work WITH people."
The Coronation Ball was started in 1952 and held on the first Saturday in June. The tradition of the ball
was to present to the public the spirit of young people seeking the "enjoyment and the participation in social
events" The girls ranged in ages 14 to 18. A scholarship program was set up. Green Valley Festival Parade
sponsored annually by the Chamber of Commerce. This parade started by James Barksdale in 1952. It in-
cluded floats, marching bands, and community groups. Tl1e Val Verde League was founded by Ada Polk to
establish a badly needed health center. The Benevolent Variety Artists· Inc. was organized in 194 7. The idea
was born when Ruth MiUs, Myrtle Fortune and May Johnson saw· a once well known performer selling
pencils .
. . Marguerite Carr was appointed president of the Val Verde Chamber of Commerce in 1960, after James
Barksdale was forced to resign due to. illness. She was a member of several civic groups including the Republi-
can Party. She was the first black to graduate from the Hollywood International Hair Stylist School.
Many improvenients were made to the park between April, 1957 and July 1961. Some of the enhancements
included building a steel water reservoir, pool rehabilitation, and park signs. ·
The property ·was· used by various businesses and groups such as Newhall Land and Farming Company,
Reverend Dixon, James Hughes, and others through out the years. Val Verde was also_ used as a boys camp by
the probation department. ·
Val Verde gets a face lift 1973 The playground equipment and Multi-Purpose building were upgraded.
Warn out kitchen equipment was replaced. Lighting was improved. Recreation Supervisor James Edwards
was killed at Val Verde Park in 1978. In 1981 Supervisor Antonovich directed the Housing and Community
Development Funds for water system improvements.
Val Verde continues to be the cultural and recreational focal point of the neighborhood. The Department of
Parks and Recreation maintain a pool 8~1d pool house; lighted athletic fields, including sollball, bisketball, and
tennis courts. The club house, houses the recreation office, The Boys and Girls Club, and a representative from
the Sheri:trs Activity League. L.A. County Department of Community and Senior Services use the park as .a
distribution point. The Samuel Dixon Family Health Center sponsors the Healthy Kids Club. Many other relig-
ious and civic organizations take advantage.of this historic and scenic facility.

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From 1960 recreation Val Verde Brochure
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ibid.