The Glasser family, Eric and Ali, along with their three young children, used to stroll from their Altadena home to Loma Alta Park before the Eaton Fire in January. Recently, they have been observing the progress of construction crews as they work on repairing the park’s damage. On Saturday morning, they eagerly attended the grand reopening of Loma Alta Park, hoping to bring some normalcy back into their lives after the turmoil they’ve experienced. Ali Glasser, 43, pointed out her 2-year-old son, who had been upset about the playground burning, as he gazed at the new playground equipment with a glimmer of excitement.
The Glassers’ home survived the fire, thanks to the help of neighbors who assisted in fighting the nearby flames. However, smoke and ash damage forced them to move multiple times before finally settling in a rental in Highland Park. Ali Glasser described the park’s reopening as a beacon of hope in the midst of devastation, emphasizing the importance of moving forward for the sake of their children. The renovated Loma Alta Park was praised by neighbors in Altadena, as well as government, business, and nonprofit leaders, during the reopening ceremony. The park, spanning 17 acres, escaped major damage from the fire, but efforts were made to clean up melted playground equipment, ash-covered pools, and grounds with the help of Los Angeles County workers and numerous volunteers.
The reopening of Loma Alta Park was celebrated with new play structures, a cozy conversation nook, a satellite library, baseball fields, a computer lab, and a renovated pool and basketball court. Despite the controversy surrounding the decision to reopen the park quickly, many residents were grateful for the opportunity to enjoy a public space once again. Residents like Mark Mariscal, a 36-year Altadena resident who lost his house in the fire, expressed excitement at the prospect of spending time with his grandchildren at the park. However, challenges remain for fire survivors, with many still dealing with the arduous process of rebuilding their homes. Some residents used the reopening as an opportunity to shed light on critical housing and public safety issues that had not been adequately addressed in the aftermath of the fire.
