A Glorious Day in The Neighborhood, A Taste of South Park
This past Saturday, on September 27, in a small corner lot on 11th and Grand an intimate group of about 800 people from the South Park Community were brought together. It's called A Taste of South Park, as the sounds, the visuals, the food samplings, and the people represent all that is good about living and working in this neighborhood.
For one glorious day, condo owners, apartment dwellers, property managers, street workers, artists, executives, restaurant owners, and merchants all come together as neighbors with the common goal of being neighborly. A day where everyone is simply enjoying the diversity, the tastes, and the special feeling of a community is that neighborhood we would all love to live in. A day when hope and possibilities sing loudly, knowing, together, we can accomplish so much. A day where cultural differences are truly embraced, and we are all human beings and friends enjoying the positive vibe, the drinks, and a chance to win a wonderful raffle prize. For one day we are rejuvenated and embrace our choice to live, work, and play in DTLA.
The 6th Annual ATOSP event, with the 3rd consecutive year being at the Desmond Parking Lot, was made possible by the considerable efforts and talents of SPNA board members, Michael Robleto and Debra Shrout. Michael single handedly brought in 8 new restaurants and managed sponsorship vendors. Debra worked diligently, in collecting and following up with the restaurant permit details, organizing the volunteers, and doing all the behind-the-scenes work, which positioned the event to run so smoothly. Regular meetings have been held for the past 4 months and the commitment from the founding HOA’s and their vendors is necessary and appreciated.
As an SPNA board member and the self-anointed ambassador of South Park, I had the opportunity to walk around and enjoy the sights, smells ,and sounds of a wonderful day. Some of my memorial moments include seeing the SPNA LynxEye committee, Mike, Mike, Kim, Ralph passionately representing this community initiative. Dancing with my 3-year-old granddaughter to the melodic music of the Kingston Tree. Joyce committed to working the sticker survey board. Greeting Victor from The Social District. John recording snaps. Engaging with neighbors like Billie from Elleven, Jeremy from EVO, Marcus from 717 Olympic, Louis from Luma. Brian from Simply Salad doubling his $100 raffle card, when he found out it was the winner’s birthday. Talking solutions with Tomoko from Ten50. Seeing Xochitl's daughters at the arts and craft table. Seeing Vin, the “pie guy,” from The Farmers Market. DJ Ronny Sax blowing the saxophone. Drinking a margarita with the owner of El Cholo. PTC sweeping around the residents that did not want the event to be over.
Thank you to all who attended A Taste of South Park 2025 and for making it such a memorable day in our neighbor. Let's do it again next year!
By Marty Goldberg