Another summer of music, movies and fun in the pool awaits parkgoers when LA County Parks & Recreation’s award-winning Parks After Dark (PAD) summer program series kicks off at El Cariso Community Regional Park in Sylmar starting on Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m.
The El Cariso Park kickoff will feature the debut of LA County Parks’ first-ever “mega” concert held on an arena-sized professional performance stage equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems designed to create access to thrilling concert experiences at local regional and community parks. Gorden Campbell & Friends will headline the first mega show, beginning at 7 p.m.
El Cariso parkgoers will also be able to enjoy a “dive-in movie” screening of “Grease” in the El Cariso Swimming Pool, as well as aquatics activities, a carnival play area featuring a ferris wheel, a VIP area for park regulars and seniors, the return of senior social hours and teen zones, the debut of an eight-week sports league for ages 3 to adult, an outdoor roller skating rink, yoga, fitness classes, snacks and more – all at no cost.
The event at El Cariso Park kicks off an eight-week PAD summer program at 34 LA County parks, with more activities tailored to fit parkgoer preferences, and on the heels of a UCLA Center for Health Policy Research report that shows residents overwhelmingly feel safer, connect more with their neighbors and are more active at PAD parks.
“Parks After Dark has changed the way our communities interact, with healthy, family-friendly activities led by dedicated LA County Parks staffers and overseen by local sheriff’s deputies,” LA County Parks Director Norma E. García-Gonzalez said. “Our summer program has been successful in establishing a sense of belonging and social cohesion in our communities, and we are seeing increased participation from all age groups, as families make memories together.”
Concerts in the Park and the Movie Night series runs from June 13 to Aug. 3 at all 34 PAD parks and fueled by park-based interactive programs like teen zones and senior social hours, which return this year after successful launches in 2023, as well as educational opportunities, such as ASL sign language classes at several PAD locations. LA County Parks is also partnering with the CalFresh Healthy Living Program to distribute produce to families at several PAD locations, at no cost.
Parkgoers will also be able to beat the heat at 16 PAD parks with a variety of free summer pool activities, including “dive-in” movies, aquatics and swimsuit giveaways. This summer, the program is leveling up by offering 100 swimsuits for male, female and non-gender/non-binary swimmers at its PAD pool sites. Swimsuits will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis until supplies run out.
“Parks are the heart and soul of LA County, providing safe spaces for our communities to come together and enjoy the outdoors and enriching programming,”LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Lindsey P. Horvath said. “When the temperatures rise, our aquatics centers are here to help our residents of all ages cool off and have fun.”
Garcia-Gonzalez will officially kick off the 2024 PAD summer season at El Cariso Park, addressing parkgoers at a special reception at 6 p.m., just prior to the concert. El Cariso Park is located at 13100 Hubbard St., Sylmar.
To view all participating PAD parks, activities, dates and times, and to sign-up for a sports league or view the movie and concert series lineup, go to parks.lacounty.gov/pad.