Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Lincoln Park(ing) Lot Bike Polo
Steve Campos and his bike polo! Bike polo is a funky game, played on bicycle, wherein players attempt to guide a ball into a goal. The game has been played (with a long break in the action during the late 20th century) in North East Los Angeles going back to the 1930's at least. Steve cites several Los Angeles Public Library archive photos as evidence.
Steve Campos is the designer and welder of the gates at the Flying Pigeon LA bike shop (as well as the chairs, wheel hooks, and clothing rack). He just got back from a bike polo tournament in Mexico.
He has incorporated his many talents into this small film, shot at the "parking lot" behind the Plaza de la Raza.
He's not lying when he talks about the new hockey rink that sits unused at the Lincoln Recreation Center on Griffin Ave. The Department of Parks and Recreation told the bike polo guys to get lost after Steve approached them on behalf of the "NELA Polo" crew. I guess now they've found a new place to play - the "parking lot" formerly known as Lincoln Park.
Thanks again Park and Rec Dept.!
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55 comments:
Another great hipster innovation! One thing I didn't understand though, why did he play in the designated bicycle polo allocated area just to to right off him? Great shots of mother son bonding and taking interest in her child. I also enjoyed the teenager having an activity to do this summer. Please include more in today's shoot!!
Yeah! Steve the hipster! The guy who was born and raised in Lincoln Heights, the guy who has risen from his shattered family to become a talented art welder, the guy who has advocated for a sport in his community that will engage all the young men and women riding bikes these days.
What a hipster!
The Plaza does more great things for our community than I'll ever know, but it does one huge disservice to our community by bringing so many cars into the middle of the park.
Isn't this all about "HIPSTER STREET CRED!! w00t w00t!", (Dec 13,2009).
It seems to me the only reason you care so much about bicycle rights is because you stand to make a profit selling dutch inspired bicycle manufactured in China. How do you sleep at night knowing that the bicycles your selling where probably made in sweat shops by children who don't have cultural centers like Plaza De La Raza?
I must admit I'm jealous that I can't afford the high price tags of your shop and have to resort to looking for a bicycle at Saint Vincent De Paul.
Why do you keep on lying about all these cars in the middle of the park? This isn't Tenochtitlan where Plaza is the center focus buddy. It's an 180 acre park, the area you keep on complaining about is maybe 15 square feet. Stop lying trying to get sympathy or are you trying to get more bicycle sales... It's a sad sad world..
You're a classy guy, anonymous. I can see now why they defer to you at St. Vincent De Paul (which is too rich for my blood, I shop at your bike rack).
It's awesome how you can denigrate Lincoln Park, claim that you love it more than me, and try to personally insult me at the same time.
Stay classy, internet defender of freedom to park everywhere and anywhere your SUV will (or won't) fit.
Today's count at the park was 46 cars and 2 security guards.
I stopped by and after a few minutes of taking notes and snapping a few photos was told by the security guard that I was on private property...
I calmly explained to her that I'm trying to help convince the city to allow parking on the Mission Street side of the park because people are not able to park there and are now parking on the park space in clear violation of the law.
I also explained this to her superior security guard and they seem to agree that the situation of not being able to park on the street is causing a more serious problem than many might guess.
Re:ubrayj02 said...
What are you taking about too rich for your blood? I drive a Sears inspired bmx that I paid $6.50 for. I can't even but a t-shirt at your store for that price. Who in the 90032 could afford to drive around town in a Dutch bicycle? Only you and your brother. Your bicycle is the SUV of all bicycles hipster, maybe that's why you couldn't maneuver it and almost got hit by a car,(I heard that happens with hummer drivers). I understand that it's tough driving in L.A., but grow a pair. I fall of my bike, my ego gets hurt, I laugh about it and get back on.
I'm sorry if my comments about who loves the park more offended you and hurt your feelings.
Also your comment was sexist, why do you assume I'm a guy? That's going to open up a whole series of conversation that we could devote another blog.
You made two agreements about possible solutions. I explained why I believe they won't work. I've tried engage you in you by posting even before it was all cool cause you told your cool friends at the L.A. Weekly. You still haven't replied to my original post....
If decide to answer this post we should try to stop all the name calling and get to the real issues that effect 90031.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Solution #1
Work with the city to remove the peak hour parking restrictions on Mission Blvd. This will open that space for cars to park.
Solution #2
Create defined parking lots at the park in such a way that people are not parking on walkways or grass.
Re: Adam Bray-Ali said...
Lets say that the City does remove all tow away parking from 4-6 p.m., although I believe the city won't as a result of all the money their generating giving tickets, tow truck fees as well as impound fees. Their looking at maybe $350.00 per car per day. The majority of Mission traffic would be DMV overflow. Those are the cars that get ticketed and towed away everyday. The rest of the slot would be filed by local residents.
As far as building an additional parking structure, where do you propose it's built? It would make sense to build it where the park gets the most traffic, like the Rec center, the playground area. are proposing in front of the DMV?
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Honestly, why reject a viable solution? There is space for 50 or 60 vehicles (or more I haven't taken a tape measure out) to be parked on Mission Road alongside the park. The DMV has over 100 parking spaces.
The Plaza comes online at 4pm. I have never seen the DMV lot full in the evenings.
What would it take to remove these stupid signs?
The stroke of the LADOT's Central Traffic head's pen. That is it. The impact on traffic will be totally negligible. The benefit to the park will be immense.
Why not organize around this issue? If people are worried about the "budget" to have the signs removed, I'll go tear those pieces of scrap metal down myself.
Re: ubrayj02 said...
As I mentioned before the Dmv closes it's doors at 5:oo p.m., that means all cars clear out by 6:15-6:20 P.M.
As far a trying to borrow their parking structure, it seems like an impossible task as a result of the state owning the rights to the location. When was the last time the state worked with the city?
As far as removing the street signs, your on your own, I don't recommend it. Even if you took it upon yourself to remove the signs, meter maid are going to be in full force waiting to enforce the law. There not stupid, this is their route, I'm pretty sure if the city would have removed the street signs they would have gotten a memo for reassignment. This is the only city branch that wasn't effected by the city lay offs, in fact it's the only department that continues to bring the city a steady revenue and continues growing.
Just remember, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Removing peak hour parking restriction signs is not as hard as you think it is.
In fact, I surprised that none of our "leaders" have gotten it taken care of before now.
There is no law that requires those signs to go up.
If there is now law, then there is only policy.
If there is only policy, then there is only an administrator of that policy that needs to be convinced that this policy needs to be changed.
Did you know that in Jewish parts of town, on shabbas, the crosswalk signal changes to the green "walk" sign without requiring someone to press a button, but that this function reverts to normal the rest of the week? The Jewish community in that area convinced the LADOT operations crew in that part of town to create "sabbath walk signals".
Now, you're telling me that we can't get this 1/3rd of a mile stretch of signs removed?
I think we can. I think we must.
Re: ubrayj02 said...
Maybe you get those Jews to help pass your resolution, oh no but that would mean that they'd have to come back to the old neighborhood and I don't see that happen anytime soon. That would probably mean even more gentrification. Where will it stop?
So according to your calculations you'll have the signs taken down by tomorrow? Then were back to square one. Or are you going to put those cool signs outside that say bike parking only? Parking for Plaza De La Raza? Are you going to volunteer your valet service? Maybe Lincoln Park Hipster Polo team would want to jump in on this! I excited!
Let me know I'll contact Plaza, maybe they'll volunteer their children Mariachi or children Salsa band for your opening. Beware though the event will be catered by all of our wonderful food venders that adorn our park. Keep me posted!
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
"Lover and Fighter" you are too much.
Yes! Let's bring back the Jews! LOL. Okay I'll break out the troll suit:
Why are you so happy about cars parking on the lawn in Lincoln Heights? Do you own an auto body shop? Are you a car dealer to the plaza parents? I guess this is just another way you advertise your air pollution creating jalopies. Now you want to set up a valet to charge people to do what they are doing now for free?
You sound corrupt, just trying to make a buck off all the poor families trying to bond with each other while their driving by the lake to fish from their car windows. Time to file a case with the D.A. against this "Lover and Fighter". You make love to yourself and you fight the truth.
Re: ubrayj02 said...
Oh, you were going to bill for your valet services? It would have been free to all residents who wanted to attend the park under your Lincoln Park day of service. I thought it was a viable solution. Hipster bike polo players would line up from all over the city to play at our facility, in exchange for this wonderful day of service. Disneyland offers tickets if you volunteer at a community center. Maybe Flying Pigeon LA could sponsor this ground breaking event!
As far as a used car dealership you got me. I'm actually trying to take over the whole park, fill the lake and swimming pool, demolish the Rec center, Plaza, The Aids memorial and build an affordable bicycle dealership. Only I would sell stuff made in the U.S. with fair market prices. You know real bikes like Trek, Ultralight, Klein, Merlin, Planet Earth, Aegis, Murry, and Stowe. Granted it may not be as successful as your store but I would sleep better at night knowing I helped stimulate the national economy and local economy. Whats your mark up? 50% percent? 40% percent? 30% percent? They can't cost that much on a count of it being built by child slave labor right?
As far as filing charges, who the hell are you trying to sell bicycle for $3,399.00 plus tax and 70.00 assembly fee? That sounds criminal to me.
Hey pedophile I'm a 15 year old teenage girl. Your readers and I would appreciate it if you would steer the conversation to a pre nc-17 nature.
Who is the real corrupt one? Bicycle peddler who gets his bikes from sweatshop made in China from children who don't have cultural centers like Plaza De La Raza or Lincoln High School honor roll student. Let your audience decide.. Ohh, you can't because were the only three responding. Ha ha ha...
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter.
I have a suggestion.
Do not allow anonymous comments. This 'lincoln park lover' person has nothing but bile and hatred to spread and seems to have a desire for things that simply don't exist or make any sense.
If you have the cojones to bitch about things you should be able to stand by it.
Re:Adam Bray-Ali said...
Suggestion noted but not taken. What things are you talking about that don't make sense? Your over priced bicycles in a working class community don't make sense. Who could afford those high prices besides hipsters and yuppies.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since
Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
Your tangent about running a bike business, and your ignorant perspective on the typical margins at a bike shop, are totally beside the point here.
I have no axe to grind with your beloved Plaza de la Raza, long may it draw in the car drivers.
I have a problem (as do many other people it would seem) with large numbers of automobiles despoiling a fine (if dilapidated) park.
Re: ubrayj02 said...
Whoa, your actually reading my responses, now we could get to what actually matters improving the lives of the residents of 90031!
I understand you suffer from post traumatic stress disorder on account of some irresponsible driver but you shouldn't allow it to ruin your life. I'm pretty sure there's support groups out there that could help you out with that type of trauma. If you want I'll do the homework and post groups that help out with that kind of thing.
As far as running your business you could imagine how difficult it would be to run a non profit organization with out special interest bicycle groups running free commercials on youtube. Why fight. Ascot park is still in it's developing stages, maybe you'd want to join that committee and make it car free. But that require you to go up against all the cultural historian that would like to see return back to a race track, good luck on that one. But think about, why fight over 15 square feet when there 140 acres just up the street. It would be easier on account of there not being a cultural center that's be doing wonders for the community for forty years.
As far as "smearing your ignorance all over the internet. You wouldn't be the first!", I'd come in second or third depending if were counting your brother.
As all ways look forward to reading your replies, it looks like it's just you and me again.
I talked with Mitch over Cycleworx and he mentioned he makes about a 13% percent mark up on new bikes. But as a result of offering free life time tune ups on store bought bicycle there's really no mark up at the end of the day. Unless of course you sell accessories. Do you offer life time tune ups? I'm a fan of Cxcleworx!!
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
How funny. The ignorant troll continues to argue that you are a hipster and that the downtrodden and poor will be displaced if 'gentrification' comes to Lincoln Park and parking is not allowed in the actual grassy areas of the park.
Tell me how to post a photo here and I'll show you the many $30,000+ cars that are parked INSIDE the park. Hardly the working poor you claim to be representing with your $6.50 bmx bike.
re: Adam Bray-Ali said...
Ohh, someones afraid of some friendly competition. Your brother explained the financial difficulties of running your corrupt sweat shop selling bike stand , he asked me to " investigate the economics of a small business such as ours and observe how truly shitty the prospects are", which I did. I contacted another bicycle store in the 90042, so you wouldn't think I was being bias and that was the answer I got. If you would be so kind as to give me another bicycle store in Highland park, I'll do the same and post my findings.
To post pictures in this blog all you have to do is copy and paste them on your desk top this will probably take a while so if want to take warm bath, drink some wine relax please do so. Also bring your lap top with you make sure it's connected to a wall outlet and have fun!
As seen in this hipster polo video, the people that your going to hurt the most are the children that take classes there. Your video had a shot of a little boy leaving a guitar class. It also had a teenager coming out of a dance class. That's the bottom line man. Every car you see there symbolizes a child that is taking a class. That's the sad reality of the situation. I don't know how else to tell you guys that. Why do you hate children so much? What's more important in this situation? A 15 square foot piece of park land used to drop off students or your need to fill validated by securing the whole park for yourself.....
I wanted to clear up some misconceptions, I drive a Sears inspired BMX that I got for $6.50. As far as "the downtrodden and poor will be displaced if 'gentrification' comes to Lincoln Park", it's a reality buddy just look at the communities of Highland Park and Echo park. People that originally lived in that area can no longer afford it thanks to hipsters like you brother. The neighborhoods changing, there's new lofts popping up by goodwill. The lofts by the 5 freeway. Who's going to move in? It's nobody from 90031, I'm 99.99% percent sure.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
re: Adam Bray-Ali said...
Ohh, someones afraid of some friendly competition. Your brother explained the financial difficulties of running your corrupt sweat shop selling bike stand , he asked me to " investigate the economics of a small business such as ours and observe how truly shitty the prospects are", which I did. I contacted another bicycle store in the 90042, so you wouldn't think I was being bias and that was the answer I got. If you would be so kind as to give me another bicycle store in Highland park, I'll do the same and post my findings.
To post pictures in this blog all you have to do is copy and paste them on your desk top this will probably take a while so if want to take warm bath, drink some wine relax please do so. Also bring your lap top with you make sure it's connected to a wall outlet and have fun!
As seen in this hipster polo video, the people that your going to hurt the most are the children that take classes there. Your video had a shot of a little boy leaving a guitar class. It also had a teenager coming out of a dance class. That's the bottom line man. Every car you see there symbolizes a child that is taking a class. That's the sad reality of the situation. I don't know how else to tell you guys that. Why do you hate children so much? What's more important in this situation? A 15 square foot piece of park land used to drop off students or your need to fill validated by securing the whole park for yourself.....
I wanted to clear up some misconceptions, I drive a Sears inspired BMX that I got for $6.50. As far as "the downtrodden and poor will be displaced if 'gentrification' comes to Lincoln Park", it's a reality buddy just look at the communities of Highland Park and Echo park. People that originally lived in that area can no longer afford it thanks to hipsters like you brother. The neighborhoods changing, there's new lofts popping up by goodwill. The lofts by the 5 freeway. Who's going to move in? It's nobody from 90031, I'm 99.99% percent sure.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
Sorry about posting twice.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
To your point about the poor children who will not be able to access the park if their parents/drivers/family members are not allowed to actually PARK in the park I offer you the solution of 1000 feet of street parking a mere 50 feet away.
I'm focusing on asking the DOT to provide sufficient, legal parking for the park users.
You, silly troll, are just posting what you think are funny comments denigrating a person providing jobs, a healthy commercial venture and a positive gathering space for members of your very own community.
Anonymous,
Your comments have NOTHING to do with the issue at hand.
Update for you:
Councilman Reyes' office has seen fit to install signs indicating that official/authorized vehicles only are allowed to access the park.
Bollards are set to be installed soon.
Parking on the lawn is not just about the Plaza - DMV overflow parking is taking place during the day. The councilman and others are working to address this issue.
The next stop is removing the asinine peak hour parking restrictions on this strip of road, so that Plaza patrons will have somewhere to park their cars without ruining the park.
I suppose the whole world has gone mad, "gentrificationers" abound, and a vortex of reason and civility has opened up to see this small matter resolved.
It's silly how you've tried to use Google to attack me with words, your own brand of innuendo, and the insertion of straw man arguments into your version of my statements. It is silly, and it is ineffective.
Re: ubrayj02 said...
If it's so silly and ineffective why is this the only post you've replied to? Why not just ignore it like you do to all of my legitimate concerns?
As for "the whole world has gone mad, "gentrificationers" abound, and a vortex of reason and civility has opened up to see this small matter resolved", resolved for who? The new tenants your brother is trying to move into the neighborhood? It looks like you guy's have a good scam going on here. Your brother finds housing for hipsters in the area then you turn around and sell them bicycle. Chaching chaching. I'm glad you started posting I would have never known!
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
:)
You've figured us out!!!!!!!!
I offer rental housing for people and my brother fixes and sells bicycles. We want to have nice places to live and play in the areas we live and work.
Boy what will we do now that our plans for global domination are no longer secret?
Re: Adam Bray-Ali said...
I never said anything about world domination, but I could see how it's not afar stretch for you classy guys with your children sweat shops in China making bicycles to sell in the 90042.
We all "want to have nice places to live and play in the areas we live and work", but at what expense to the local residents your displacing? No wonder your brother got mugged, the person who mugged him probably couldn't afford to pay you the rent.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
Your posts are so incoherent I assume you must be drinking.
Is your point that people should park cars inside Lincoln Park because Josef sells products made in China?
Or is it that people that want to rent an apartment or home in Lincoln Heights are ruining the neighborhood and deserve to be robbed?
Either way, you seem to have absolutely no coherent and logical idea on how to improve Lincoln Park other than to let it decay.
Here's another blog for you to check out about our good friends in China. Since you hate people charging enough for a bicycle to pay a living wage to their employees I still don't 'get' whatever you are trying to share with us all.
http://www.who-sucks.com/business/made-in-china-2007-danger-timeline
Re: Adam Bray-Ali said...
You got me. Here I am posting at the Lincoln Heights Library with my chalice getting high on being self righteous like you classy guys. Ha ha.
I gave you tons of suggestions on how to improve the park. Only none of them are profitable to your lines of work. Keep on posting, driving your pick up truck ride and your motorcycle inside the park on Sundays. Your allowed to there no law against it so far. As far as improvements you gotta learn how to read first so you could read all of my post. Their there. Ha ha.
You could charge what ever prices you want to charge for your bicycles, but maybe you could launch a more affordable line, you could call it your section 8. That was also nice of you to include all your vendors I'm going boycott them too.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
Trying to have an internet discussion with someone that simply is out to create an acrimonious argument is pointless no?
I'll focus on getting the attention of our elected officials and the LADOT to improve the parking situation at the park. You go ahead and keep up your strange investigation into our global domination plans. Maybe you can include a trip to the shop and see the many bicycles that Josef sells for under $200. Or perhaps you can look at the Bicycle Oven that he created where people like what you claim to be (you're a 15 year old girl who studies/studied at Lincoln park High right?) are able to learn how to fix their own bicycles for free.
This issue of people parking in the actual park has absolutely nothing to do with either of our jobs and your comment about boycotting vendors who live/work/support our own community just shows how silly and foolish you are.
Re: Adam Bray-Ali said...
Your world domination plans have been averted for the time being...
Just like Wall mart your finally rolling back prices! It's sad that you still haven't reflected all these sweat heart recession prices on your bicycle site though, keep me posted. I'm glad my posting are keeping you accountable.
If this is really about fight with L.A.Dot why haven't the Lincoln Park Hipster Polo Team shot a video in front of their headquarters? In case they need the address it's
Department Headquarters
City of Los Angeles
Department of Transportation
100 S. Main St., 10th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 972-8470
TDD: (213) 977-7032
Fax: (213) 972-8410
Email: ladot@lacity.org
I would love love love to see your next video shot there. Think of the media footage you'll generate! Just imagine if you simulate one of their balls being run over by a car! Think of the sympathy, I could almost hear a symphony of the world's small violins playing in the back ground. Maybe you get Plaza's violin students out for this event, I hear there always playing at events for free!
How foolish would it be to boycott vendors that care more about profits and have a vendetta against a cultural community center? What's really at stake here? What would benefit the community more, bicycle shop or a Cultural center that offers free classes to low income residents? You still don't get it. Your asking for a bike path, Plaza offers a life path to local youth from the area that don't have any other alternatives.
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
I'll repost since you still don't seem to be getting it:
This issue of people parking cars in the actual park has absolutely nothing to do with either of our jobs and your comment about boycotting vendors who live/work/support our own community just shows how silly and foolish you are.
Re: Adam Bray-Ali said...
The people your complaining about are local residents that use the park to it's fullest potential, your high functioning retard of a brother can't seem to steer his hummer bicycle in the park and has a problem with people from the 90031 using the park as they see fit. Do you understand that or are you also high functioning? If you want I'll try breaking down for you in terms you'll both understand...
Lincoln Park Lover and Fighter
Fighting gentrification since Tue Jul 27, 12:17:00 PM PDT
Just to clarify your points:
People that park their cars in the actual park are using it to the fullest potential and someone that complains about it and tries to create a solution for them to park legally nearby is a 'high functioning retard.'
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