Activist credits cooperation for Robert Burns Park upgrades
Margy Hudson isn’t through planning improvements for Robert Burns Park at Beverly Blvd. and Van Ness Ave. The community activist has continued to lobby for the recreation area since she first starting making daily visits the “poorly maintained park” seven years ago.
Margy was honored by Councilman Tom LaBonge at a recent dedication for her volunteer work in the park. A Windsor Square resident who visits Burns almost daily, she has pioneered a multitude of upgrades. Playground equipment, a few paths and temporary shelters were about the only things in the park when she began her projects.
“That all changed when Councilman LaBonge appointed me as a representative on the Proposition K committee to decide which parks get funds,” she said.
Proposition K was created by a citywide assessment which generated $25 million in 1966 for city parks, recreation facilities and related projects. She successfully campaigned for Burns Park to receive money, and LaBonge also helped with the financing of new projects.
At a dedication in 2010, the park projects installed included new landscaping, four new trees, re-seeding of the lawn, decomposed granite paths, painting of the fence surrounding the 1.7-acre park, sprinkler system, new benches and a handicapped restroom.
Newest addition to the park is a 50-foot-long shelter and four picnic benches with attached seating.
The city Bureau of Engineering completed the 16-foot high shelter recently, and Margy made sure its paint color matched the Windsor Square ornamental streetlights.
A well-used area, mothers come with their kids, nannies bring babies in strollers, a yoga class or two is here—Margy affirms it is a neighborhood park. She has “sold” area groups on funding park improvements. Windsor Square Association has donated trees, painting and benches while Paramount Pictures helped with other projects. The Department of Water and Power installed the sprinkler system.
“Thanks to public-private cooperation, we have been able to accomplish a lot,” she adds.
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