Heidi Ross-Balderama still remembers the last time she brought her kids to Veterans Memorial Park.
It was three years ago, and the visit was brief.
A gang fight broke out shortly after she arrived with her children. Fearing for their safety, the family left.
On Friday morning, after a $1.9 million renovation to the park, Ross-Balderama's family made their first trip back. This time, they stayed for a couple of hours.
"This is a lot better," said Ross-Balderama, who lives only a couple of blocks from the park. "This is like a picnic that was unplanned."
The park patron was not alone in welcoming the newly enhanced space. She was joined by more than 120 kids, their parents and community
Children climb on the new playground equipment during the grand opening of the healthy themed Community Center at Veterans Memorial Park in Ontario on Friday. Other improvements include a 2,200-square-foot Ontario Child and Family Resource Center, 47 parking stalls, two age-appropriate playgrounds, a walking path as well as new outdoor fitness equipment. The improvements cost $1.9 million. (Frank Perez/Correspondent)
leaders for the grand opening ceremony.
Veterans Memorial Park on D Street, just east of Grove Avenue, now boasts a 2,200-square-foot Ontario Child and Family Resource Center community center, 47 parking stalls, two age-appropriate playgrounds, a walking path as well as new outdoor fitness equipment.
And in honor of the neighboring Veterans of Foreign War Post 2085, the basketball court and playground are decorated in red, white and blue colors.
In addition, the restroom and picnic structures were re-roofed, and new landscape improvements were added to enhance the appearance of the park, said Mark Chase, Ontario's director of Community and Public Services.
It's a stark contrast to a predominately dirt lot an old playground used to occupy. The park, which was once known as D Street Park, also had a strong gang presence.
"This neighborhood was starving for a something like this," said Chase, as children ran around the playground just behind him. "It is a breath of new life because the park is finally here."
But the new amenities haven't exactly ushered out the old crowd that usually frequents the spot.
In weeks leading up to the opening, the park was vandalized with gang graffiti, Ontario Police Chief Eric Hopley said.
It is why Hopley acknowledges that community involvement is going to be key.
