Concerts in the Park

Family Camp at Neff Park

Fourth of July Fun

Shooting Hoops at the Gym

The City’s Community Services Department works to involve the whole La Mirada Community in anticipating trends in recreational, educational, and social services needs, then responds with programs, services and events developed by staff and community members working together.  In this way we strive to improve the quality of life for La Mirada residents through a variety of sources.  Following are links to areas of interest for the recreational and community needs of youth, adult, and older adult residents of La Mirada. 

Communication

The Communications staff of the Community Services Department provides a wide variety of communications activities in support of public information through the use of print, video, graphics and the Internet. The department also assists with administering and maintaining the cable television franchise. 

The Communications program includes print and media resources.  An award winning municipal newsletter, "La Mirada Living" features an interesting collection of City news, recreation information, and theatre material on a quarterly basis.  

La Mirada also uses electronic marquees, cross street banners and a wide variety of specialized publications to help keep the community informed.  An attractive Community Calendar is published annually by the City featuring a broad range of information about happenings in La Mirada.

The newest addition to the City's communication program is the La Mirada Web project. This project has made La Mirada information available on the World Wide Web for your benefit. The information is frequently updated so visit the City's Web site and the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Web site often. 

Benefits of Parks and Recreation

Individual
• Exercise has been proven to reduce illness and stress in people of all ages.
• Youth involved in sports are less likely to abuse drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. 
• Physical activity raises self-esteem in children and youth, and reduces depression in adults.
(see "La Mirada Programs Promote Health and Wellness")

Economic
• If each American walked one hour a day, healthcare costs could be reduced by $20 billion every year.
• Youth activities help to reduce juvenile crime - at a cost less than incarceration.

Environmental
• An area's quality of life is very important in attracting and retaining businesses and residents.
• Trees in parks, along roadways and on private property help improve air quality, provide natural cooling, control erosion and protect wildlife.

Community Services News

The City of La Mirada’s Community Services Department strives to create community through people, parks, and programs. 

The Department works to improve the quality of life for La Mirada residents through community events, contract classes, youth sports, gymnasium programs, senior services, social services, employment services, facility reservations, and special events and activities. 

Community Services provides services at the La Mirada Resource Center, Family Service Center, La Mirada Activity Center, and La Mirada Community Gymnasium.  The Department also provides programming at The Basement teen center, the new Civic Center Plaza, and La Mirada’s extensive park system.

In July 2004, the Department completed the Community Services Master Plan that provides a ten-year vision for the Department and identifies a five-year action plan for programs, activities, and capital projects.  The Master Plan built on the findings of a Community Services Needs Assessment conducted in 2003. 

Community Services continues to offer a wide variety of activities for youth including the Positive Alternatives and Recreation for Kids (P.A.R.K.) program, early childhood programs, excursions, and summer day camp.  All of the programs are designed to provide opportunities to experience and learn positive social interaction skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Special events are designed to involve the whole community and include the entire family to celebrate the best of La Mirada’s present and past.  Special events, which are scheduled throughout the year, include: Spring Beautification, a July 3^rd Independence Celebration, Concerts Under the Stars, Stroll in the Park, Celebration in the Park, Chili Holiday Concert, and an Easter Egg Hunt.

The Community Services Department continues to offer approximately 400 contract classes quarterly.  The Department is continually seeking new opportunities for enhanced or additional classes in response to community interests.  Recently added classes include Tiny Tots Yoga, Youth Book Club, and School Readiness.

The La Mirada Resource Center provides classrooms, a dance studio, a fitness room, community meeting rooms and office areas.  The lower level of the Resource Center houses Family Services, which provides programs designed to address quality of life needs for La Mirada residents.  These services include a Computer Lab, Homework Club, family health services, volunteer services and employment services [pmc1]  .

The La Mirada Activity Center offers special events, recreational classes, programs, and services designed to enhance the quality of life of La Mirada’s seniors, adults, and youth.  The Activity Center houses the SeniorNet Learning Center, Meals on Wheels, Senior Nutrition Program, Income Tax Assistance, and health clinics.

The La Mirada Community Gymnasium provides youth and adult sports programs, social events, sports leagues, tournaments and “open” gym time.   New dodgeball, flag football, and basketball leagues, as well as new cardio equipment, will be offered in 2005.

The Department is responsible for the scheduling of City-owned facilities for rent by La Mirada residents and non-profit organizations.  Facilities available for public rental include City Hall community rooms, Neff Barn and Gazebo, Gardenhill, Frontier, and Windermere Park Community Rooms, picnic areas, Creek Park amphitheater, Community Gardens, Resource Center, Activity Center, Civic Center Plaza, Activity Center Courtyard, and The Basement teen center (Facility Reservations [pmc2]  ).

Helping to guide the progress of the Department are several key groups appointed by the City Council. 

• The La Mirada Community Services Commission is responsible for developing recommendations to improve the quality of life in the community regarding social, recreational and cultural needs and programs. 
• The Youth Council plans youth recreation activities and programs, evaluates proposals for new facilities, identifies safety concerns, encourages use of technology, mentoring and career enhancement programs, and assists with public information, social services, and community events.
• The Senior Council deals with issues such as planning senior recreation activities and programs, enhancing senior social services, distributing public information, and expanding community events.
• The Community Services Department provides administrative support to the Community Services Foundation established in 1999 to facilitate fundraising activities and to receive donations, bequests, and grants intended to benefit a wide variety of community services and programs.

Through an arrangement with the La Mirada Athletic Council, which is comprised of the Presidents of La Mirada Athletic Leagues, organized youth sports opportunities are offered year-round on beautifully maintained athletic facilities.

Further information is available by contacting the Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.  Also see FAQ’s about Community Services and Current Happenings.