Councilmember Dives Into Summer at Griffith Park Pool

Joined by families from across the City, Councilmember LaBonge took the first dive into Griffith Park Pool for Operation Splash, Kaiser Permanente's kick-off to the first week of summer. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and General Manager of Department of Recreation and Parks Jon Mukri also joined.
"This was my neighborhood pool when I was growing up," Councilmember LaBonge said. "It's wonderful to see another generation of families coming to Griffith Park to enjoy and love another feature of Los Angeles."
"Operation Splash will kick off a summer of safe, healthy and fun activities at city pools by providing vital services, such as free swimming lessons, for children and their parents during the hot summer months," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "This partnership with Kaiser Permanente will transform city pools into a summertime oasis where children can meet new friends and develop a routine of regular exercise."
Operation Splash also included the Expo Center’s youth synchronized swimming team and children from Glassell and Chevy Chase Recreation Centers Summer Camp.
For the 2010 summer, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks received a $250,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente Southern California that will fund free swim lessons for 6,000 low-income youth and adults at 35 pools across the city. Operation Splash will support free junior lifeguard training for 780 low-income youths at 49 city pools, and extend the summer swim season for one week at seven city pools serving about 10,000 pool patrons.
Joining the effort to make youngsters water safe and provide them with the opportunity to participate in water polo, synchronized swimming and diving is the LA84 Foundation. Over the last 25 years the Foundation has consistently assisted the City’s efforts to provide youngsters with access to quality sports programs.
Operation Splash developed as part of Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) efforts to reduce obesity in the community by broadening opportunities for access to healthy foods and daily physical activity.
Children and their parents can check their eligibility at local participating community pools. For more information, call the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks at 323 906-7953 or email at Citywide.Aquatics@lacity.org.