More Than Just a Park—A Place Where Memories Were Made
Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
Looking back, Mar Vista Recreation Center—better known as Mar Vista Park—was never just a patch of grass in West L.A.; it was our place. Nestled between Palms, Culver City, Venice, and Santa Monica, it became a second home for so many of us. It wasn’t just about the swings or sports fields. It was about connection. It was about the sense of belonging that you can’t always find in a city that’s always on the move.
For our Cameroonian community, Mar Vista was more than just a park—it was where we came together. We played soccer there, but it wasn’t just a game to us. It was a piece of home. Some days, it was Cameroonians versus our Latino friends; other times, it was just a mix of people, united by our love for the game. Those matches were filled with so much more than competition; they were a celebration of culture, of memories, of joy. Afterward, we’d gather for barbecues and conversations that seemed to go on forever. That was where languages mingled, traditions were shared, and strangers became friends—more like family.
Mar Vista Park wasn’t just a space; it was life. It had something for everyone—soccer fields, basketball courts, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a gym, and even a hockey rink. Whether we were there to work out, watch the kids run wild, or simply take a moment to breathe, the park gave us room to just be. It offered a sense of peace that we couldn’t always find in the rush of the city.
For our family, Mar Vista was everything. It wasn’t just a park—it was a lifeline. It’s where we formed bonds, celebrated milestones, and created memories that are still so precious to us.
I became a mom for the first time in Los Angeles. Our son, Charles Jr., was born at Kaiser Permanente in West L.A., and it didn’t take long for us to realize that our tiny two-bedroom apartment was no longer enough for our growing family. That’s when we stumbled upon Mar Vista Park, and honestly, from that moment on, everything changed.
As our family grew, so did our need for space—space not just for us, but for the relatives and friends who came to visit from Cameroon. The park became our haven. It was where we went to stretch our legs, catch our breath, and find some peace in the midst of it all. And it was in those familiar paths that I rediscovered myself after each of my three children were born—jogging to clear my mind, reconnecting with my body, and finding quiet moments amidst the chaos.
I can still see it: the regulars on the trail—dog walkers, joggers, parents with strollers, kids everywhere. Weekends brought a new energy—fairs, pickup games, and that wonderful sense of community that only happens when so many different people come together in one place. It was alive, and we felt alive in it.
Our kids spent their school years in West L.A., and the park was part of their story, part of our story. One memory in particular stands out. One afternoon, our son came home from hanging out with his friends and casually said, “Mom, I’m going swimming.” I paused and asked, “Do you even know how to swim?” He just looked at me, and that silence spoke volumes. None of us knew how. We hadn’t learned, and we hadn’t taught the kids.
From Playground to Lifeline: Our Family’s Story at Mar Vista Park
I started looking into swimming lessons—checked out the YMCA, private classes—but everything felt out of reach for our family of five. And then I remembered the pool at Mar Vista Park. I walked in, asked about lessons, and was pleasantly surprised to find affordable family packages. Just like that, something that felt impossible became possible.
That moment, that decision, changed everything. Today, all three of our children are strong swimmers. But it wasn’t just about learning to swim. It was about making new friends. My daughter, Vanessa, met a girl in class, and they stayed in touch for years. My boys, Charles Jr. and Preston, made lifelong friends too—all of them brought together by the simple joy of a summer afternoon at the pool.
But the memories go beyond the lessons. It was the way the parents showed up—fully immersed in the play with their kids. I saw dads chasing toddlers and digging in sandboxes, and moms pushing swings. It wasn’t about perfect parenting; it was about being present. It was love in motion. And it’s those simple, beautiful moments that make up our family’s experience.
I always say I struck gold with Charles as the father of my children. He’s the outdoorsy one, and because of him, our kids truly embraced park life. He taught the boys to dribble on the soccer field, played ball with them on the courts, and got his hands dirty digging in the sand. But some of my favorite moments were watching him with our daughter, Vanessa. He shed his African machismo, and together they built a special bond in the sandboxes and on the swings, just the two of them. Those moments? They’re still as vivid today as they were then.
Summer at Mar Vista Park became our daily ritual. We’d pack up with everything—pool toys, buckets for the sandbox, soccer balls, basketballs—and of course, snacks (because what’s a park day without snacks?). And just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, the sweet sound of the ice cream truck would roll by. That jingle? It’s still with me. Every time I hear it, I’m transported right back to those perfect summer days, watching our kids’ faces light up with joy.
Eventually, we moved into a bigger home and left West L.A., but the love we have for those days at Mar Vista Park hasn’t faded. It wasn’t just a park. It was our happy place. A place where we met other families, laughed, played, and grew together.
Our kids went from the sandbox to the soccer fields and from monkey bars to basketball courts. And the location? It couldn’t have been more perfect. Close to the beach, our favorite ethnic grocery stores, and our church—everything that made us feel grounded and connected.
Mar Vista Park wasn’t just a place to play. It was where we lived. It was the foundation of our family’s story—where our children learned, grew, and made friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It’s where we, as parents, connected with each other and our community, finding belonging in a busy, often overwhelming world.
The park helped shape the values we hold dear—caring for others, celebrating diversity, and the importance of family. It was there that our children learned how different cultures could come together and how bonds could form over something as simple as a game of soccer or a conversation at sunset. It was where we shared beautiful moments, from playing in the sandbox to hearing that familiar ice cream truck jingle.
We’ll always be grateful for the community we found at Mar Vista Park. It’s where we raised our kids, and in many ways, it’s where we became the family we are today—stronger, more connected, and surrounded by people who made us feel truly at home.
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