As hot summer temperatures persist in the Antelope Valley community this week, Supervisor Kathryn Barger wants to ensure her constituents in the region are aware of and access a variety of County resources that bring heat relief and support to families and the community at large.
“The Antelope Valley community is facing extreme heat during these summer months and the County can offer respite this season,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger stated. “There’s a variety of free or low cost activities and events taking place in the coming weeks in North County. I want families and community members to access these resources so that they have a memorable and enjoyable summer.”
Keeping Cool and Having Fun
Families can beat the summer heat with a delightful array of free activities now taking place after hours at L.A. County Park pools through Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department’s Parks After Dark Summer Pool Program. Select county pool facilities offer extended evening swimming hours from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekly from Thursdays through Saturdays until August 5 – a schedule that accommodates the availability of working parents and provides an opportunity to keep youth busy during evening hours when there are typically fewer activities available. Participating pools in the Antelope Valley and surrounding region include George Lane Park in Quartz Hill, Val Verde Community Regional Park in Castaic and the Castaic Aquatic Center.
Antelope Valley residents can also enjoy a low-cost summer escape by using Los Angeles County’s Beach Bus service to the Santa Monica Pier. Operating from now through September 4, anyone can enjoy a stress-free trek to the famous pier for a nominal fee of just $6 per round-trip. The Beach Bus conveniently departs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. from Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park, located at 43063 10th St. West in Lancaster, and at 9:00 a.m. from the Palmdale Transportation Center, located at 39000 Clock Tower Plaza Drive. This program is coordinated by Los Angeles County Public Works. Make your reservation at www.LAGoBus.com up to ten days in advance, but no later than 10:00 a.m. one day prior to your trip. Senior citizens ages 60 and over and individuals with disabilities pay only $2 per round-trip.
Los Angeles County also offers Cooling Centers that provide no-cost air conditioned spaces to the general public typically at libraries, community centers, and senior centers. Days and hours of operation are extended during periods of excessive heat. Visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat to find a list of Cooling Centers that are now serving the public. Some Cooling Centers are pet friendly.
Helping Families Fight Food Insecurity
Supervisor Barger has teamed up with L.A. Regional Food Bank and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation to distribute free food boxes this summer. Families can obtain food boxes at the Palmdale Community Foundation’s South Antelope Valley Emergency Services (S.A.V.E.S.) site, located at 1002 E. Avenue Q12 Palmdale, CA 93550 from July 25 through July 27 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.. Free food boxes will also be distributed at the Antelope Valley Dream Center, located at 2851 West Ave L 330 Lancaster, CA 93534 on July 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Additionally, youth ages 18 and under can enjoy free lunches at Los Angeles County’s Lancaster Library four days a week – from Tuesday through Friday – between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Nutritious meals are now available until August 4 and are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no family income limits or requirements. The meals are served in an environment that also offers young minds a chance to explore their local library and all of the free activities and resources it offers. The library’s address is 601 West Lancaster Boulevard, Lancaster, CA 93534.