Zela Davis Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in “The City of Good Neighbors”
(Hawthorne, CA.) The City of Hawthorne held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the reopening of Zela Davis Park, 3654 W. 133rd Street, Hawthorne, CA. 90250. The ceremony was on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
(Hawthorne, CA.) The City of Hawthorne held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the reopening of Zela Davis Park, 3654 W. 133rd Street, Hawthorne, CA. 90250. The ceremony was on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
The ceremony attracted a nice-sized crowd. In attendance were City officials, Zela Davis Park Renovation Team Members, community stakeholders, commissioners, staff from City Departments, and members of the Hawthorne Police Department and local residents.
Hermania Balboa, a retired teacher, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Welcome remarks were provided by City Manager Vontray Norris, Kywanna Bowie, Deputy Director of Community Services (scope of the project), Mayor Pro Tem Alex Monteiro, City Councilmember Katrina Manning, and Mayor Pro Tem Alex Monteiro.
Zela Davis Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Additional speakers added comments about their involvement in the project and the importance of parks for the community and its positive benefits: Tori Kjer and Bz Zhang- LA Neighborhood Land Trust, Dr. Markarian, Hawthorne School District Superintendent, Ms. Miquelina Lopez, Principle-Zela Davis Elementary School, Sean Carter, SALT Architect, and Davette Butler, Baldwin Hills & Urban Watershed Conservancy. Props were given to Doja Inc., other partners, and everyone involved in the Zela Davis Park Renovation.
Guests listened to city officials as they gave updates about upgrades to the park, new installations of exercise equipment, playground equipment, lighting, fencing, half half-court for basketball, restrooms, landscape, Wi-Fi, and walkways throughout the park.
It didn’t take long for the adults (wink, wink) and local kids from Zela Davis Elementary School to partake of and enjoy the new features of the playground equipment. Zela Davis Park is located near several schools.
The timing of the reopening couldn’t have come at a better time. Zela Davis will get much use in the coming months, as residents gather to enjoy the many amenities of the park. I’m sure that you can sing better than I. The lyrics to a popular song come to mind as I write this article: “School is out for the summer.”
Guests enjoyed light refreshments after the ceremony on this beautiful day in “The City of Good Neighbors.”
City of Hawthorne Staff, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The Zela Davis Park Renovation Project Funded by Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Measure A Grant, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, State of California Parks Water Bond Act of 2018 (Proposition 68), California State Parks, State of California Baldwin Hills Urban Watershed Conservancy and Department of Transportation Clean California Grant.
This is another example of “The City of Good Neighbors” on the move. Past events/projects in the “City of Good Neighbors” were the construction of a new City Yard, an expanded Senior Center in January 2025.
The well-attended inaugural Black History Month Celebration in February. Spring Community Cleanup, Crenshaw Village Façade Groundbreaking Ceremony, and Women’s History Month Celebration in March.
The city welcomed two new businesses in April with ribbon-cutting ceremonies for Catalyst and Stiiizy. Three signature events returned in April: Earth Day/Service Provider Fair, Hawthorne Business Expo, and the inaugural Autism Awareness Walk.
Kids at Play, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The month of May, the annual Mother’s Day Brunch was held. The popular Hawthorne Police Department K9 Community Fundraiser Dinner was well attended. The “City of Good Neighbors” will celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, and close out the month with a Dodgers Dream Field Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Jim Thorpe Park, 14100 Prairie Avenue. This is welcome news for the local Little League teams.
Summer is just around the corner. The City of Hawthorne will continue to host an impressive array of exciting events. I’m looking forward to the popular series of Movies in the Park (July 11, 18, and 25)!!!
As you can see, the City of Hawthorne continues to host a diverse range of events, and the commitment and intentions of building community connections remain strong.
The various events and gatherings celebrate local culture and values while providing valuable resources and opportunities for residents to engage with one another, embodying its motto, “The City of Good Neighbors.”
Stay connected on social media, so that you can get info on community events. Visit the City of Hawthorne special events page, https://www.cityofhawthorne.org/department/community-services , or call the Community Services Department at (310) 349-1640.
