La Jolla Recreational Center

La Jolla Recreational Center

The La Jolla Recreation Center in 2013
Alternative names La Jolla Recreation Center
General information
Address 615 Prospect St.
Town or city La Jolla, San Diego, California
Country U.S.A.
Coordinates 32°50′36″N 117°16′40″W / 32.84336°N 117.27782°W / 32.84336; -117.27782Coordinates: 32°50′36″N 117°16′40″W / 32.84336°N 117.27782°W / 32.84336; -117.27782
Inaugurated July 3, 1915
Design and construction
Architect Irving Gill

The La Jolla Recreational Center is a historic recreation center in La Jolla, San Diego, California. It was commissioned by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, on property adjacent to her home, and designed by San Diego's best known architect, Irving Gill.[1][2] The center was completed in 1915; Scripps donated it to the City of San Diego the same year. On September 7, 1973, it was designated as San Diego Historic Landmark #86.[3]

History

The facility was originally called the Children's Playground and Recreation Center[4] and has always included a children's play area as well as the recreation center building.[5] It was dedicated on July 3, 1915. Scripps stipulated in the gift bequest that the building must be open to any person, regardless of "race, creed or opinions."[6] The first recreation director, Archibald Talbot, was hired in 1919 and remained until 1952. He and his wife Agnes developed a vigorous program of sports, particularly baseball and tennis.[6]

Current status

The center is now known as the La Jolla Recreation Center and is operated by the City of San Diego.[2] The building's appearance has not been substantially altered from the 1915 original.[7] In addition to hosting a variety of sports and recreation programs, it is the meeting place for many civic groups including the La Jolla Town Council and the La Jolla Community Planning Group.[6]

On July 25, 2015, the center celebrated its 100th anniversary. The director of the La Jolla Recreation Council commented, "“The Rec Center has always been a great place. It’s a centerpoint for La Jolla. Generations of people have grown up here and had their children play — and their children’s children play here. And that’s what Ellen Browning Scripps wanted, to let children have fun."[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rolle, Andrew; Verge, Arthur C. (June 19, 2014). California, A History (8th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-11870114-0.
  2. 1 2 "La Jolla Recreation Center". Park and Recreation. City of San Diego. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Historical Landmarks Designated by the San Diego Historical Resources Board" (PDF). City of San Diego.
  4. ↑ McClain, Molly. "The La Jolla of Ellen Browning Scripps" (PDF). The Journal of San Diego History: 283.
  5. ↑ Reynolds, Christopher (June 3, 2012). "Southern California Close-Ups: San Diego, Coronado and La Jolla". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Schwab, Dave (December 2014). "At 100, La Jolla's fabled rec center is looking just fine". San Diego Newspaper Group. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  7. 1 2 Mackin, Ashley (January 2, 2015). "100 Years Old: La Jolla Rec Center prepares to celebrate centennial". La Jolla Light. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
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