Pixley Park
PIXLEY PARK
FIRST5 LA – Tot Parks and Trails Projects
3626 56th St, Maywood, CA 90270
Opening Celebrated on, October 16, 2013
This park is designed to encourage young children 2-5 years of age and their families to exercise and play. For optimum health, children should be physically active at least 60 minutes daily. Studies have shown that children who are regularly exposed to nature have a better chance of living healthy and successful lives.
The park renovation project starting with the demolition of a rundown restroom in the back corner of the park which had become an area subject to illicit activities. Amigos de Los Rios then retrofit the park with play equipment – developmentally appropriate to children 0 to 5 and their families.
Play and have fun!
Pixley Park – Before
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- Arial view of Pixley Park before renovation
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- Pixley Park before renovation
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- Play Equipment at Pixley Park before renovation
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- Pixley Park cement area before renovation
Pixley Park – After
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- Pixley Park Entrance Gate
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- Pixley Park Opening Celebration
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- Pixley Park play area
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- Pixley Park
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- Children at Pixley Park Opening Celebration
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- Interpretive Signage
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- Pixley Park Native plant palette
Melvin A. Pixley circa 1969
The naming of Pixley Park
In 1967, the Maywood City Council had proposed that a new tot park in Maywood be named after Mr. Melvin A. Pixley, a prominent local businessman and philanthropist. The tot park, outfitted with new playground equipment, would serve the community as a place where children could go to safely play and enjoy the outdoors.
Mr. ‘Mel’ Pixley was the founder of Pixley Enterprises, a transportation investment operation covering most of the state of California. He was well known within the community for both his public service and philanthropy, which included his role as vice-president of the Greater Maywood Chamber of Commerce, and his continuous support for local youth programs. He was an active member of the Youth Activities Board belonging to the First Methodist church, a past potentate of the Al Malaikah Shriners, and he publicly sponsored the Pixley Park Pirates little league baseball team.
Unbeknownst to most citizens, however, he was also one of the most significant supporters of a host of other educational programs for the community’s youth. As an anonymous donor, he funded the distribution of glasses and hearing aids for underprivileged students, holiday activities for schools lacking the necessary budget, and in several cases, he even paid the full educational cost for selected underprivileged students within the community.
On Saturday, March 16th, 1968, the city of Maywood held the dedication of Melvin A. Pixley Park, of which former Mayor Maymie Anderson would later dub “the greatest day in Maywood’s history”. Live music, free food, and entertainment were provided to over 4,000 attendees, and over 1500 people participated in a parade down Slauson Avenue.
In a statement given to us by his daughter, Barbara Pixley, he is described as having “lived his life for completely for others, as his favorite saying was:
“For it is doing and giving for somebody else
On this all life’s splendors depend”
KEY PARTNERS creating a greener world!
Emerald Necklace Group | Amigos de los Rios received key grant funding from First 5 LA as part of their $10 million Tot Park Grant program and from the Los Angeles County – 1st District Supervisor – through a grant from the Los Angeles Regional Open Space District to complete the following projects.
