Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Veterans Park Conservancy?
A. The Veterans Park Conservancy (VPC) is a California nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that was established in 1986 to maintain the integrity of the 388-acre property of the West Los Angeles Medical Center and the adjacent 115-acre Los Angeles National Veterans Cemetery. In partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the Conservancy also seeks to protect the open space of the WLA VA property in honor of America’s veterans—past, present and future.
Q. How are its activities funded?
A. The VPC’s activities are made possible by donations from generous donors. It does not rely on government funding. As a 501(c)(3) entity, it is operated as a nonprofit organization.
Q. Who are its board members?
A. The VPC’s Board of Directors is composed of citizen volunteers, veterans and non-veterans alike who share a commitment to protection, enhancement and restoration of the WLA VA property and National Cemetery.
Q. What is the VPC’s track record?
A. Since 1986, the VPC has been at the forefront of efforts in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to protect the integrity of the WLA VA property; to prevent commercial development and similar inappropriate use of the site, and to forestall parcel sales. On countless occasions, the VPC has joined with civic and political leaders to prevent degradation of the property.
VPC’s accomplishments to date include:
- replacing the rusted chain link fencing around the Los Angeles National Veterans Cemetery with one mile of new decorative wrought iron fencing with 88 stately pilasters along Sepulveda and Wilshire Boulevards and Veteran Avenue;
- restoring the Spanish-American War Memorial Plaza at the intersection of Veteran Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard;
- building a grand entrance gate and pedestrian entry ways for the 115-acre “Arlington of the West” cemetery;
- moving forward legislation to name the l939 WPA chapel as the Bob Hope Veterans Chapel on his 99th birthday;
- designating a section of Wilshire Boulevard between Veteran Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard as “Veterans Parkway” and planting over 600 mature trees;
- replacing the rusted chain link fence around the Los Angeles National Veterans Park’s perimeter at San Vicente and Wilshire Boulevards with decorative wrought iron fencing, 90 stately pilasters, including a symbolic landmark plaza and perimeter fencing at the northwest corner of San Vicente and Wilshire Boulevards.
Most recently, VPC has completed a more than $1.0 million restoration of the historic Women Veterans Rose Garden in the Los Angeles National Veterans Park. The DVA now utilizes the garden as a venue for innovative therapeutic and rehabilitation programs that are being used for all veterans especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Q. What is the Los Angeles National Veterans Park?
A. Upon successful completion of its early projects (above), the VPC turned its attention to creation of a permanent, specially-landscaped 16-acre park. The site’s design is intended to enhance its open space character, and to provide therapeutic, aesthetic, educational and commemorative amenities. The recently completed Women Veterans Rose Garden is a prominent feature of the Park.
Q. Who can use the Los Angeles National Veterans Park?
A. Under its Enhanced Sharing Agreement with the DVA, VPC is developing the Park for the benefit of veterans and their families. Larger community access is available during business hours and at other times as determined by the DVA. A federal court has recently upheld the authority of the DVA to regulate inappropriate conduct on the property in order to secure the privacy and security of resident veterans.
Q. Is development of the Los Angeles National Veterans Park consistent with the terms of the original deeds to the property?
A. Yes. Although some have claimed that the DVA is making inappropriate use of the WLA VA property, the courts have rejected this argument. The DVA has been able to demonstrate that current uses are consistent with the original intent of the donors. Recently, one of the donor’s descendants has opined that VPC’s plans for the park are consistent with the “healing mission” envisioned for this site by her forbears. In its 2011 Master Plan for the WLA VA property, which is an enforceable legal document, the DVA states its intent to honor its Enhanced Sharing Agreement with VPC.
Q. Is it true that the VPC is occupying the site without authority to do so, and planning to develop a public park without benefit to Veterans, as some have suggested?
A. The VPC has formally notified these detractors that such statements are false. VPC’s attorneys have demanded that they “cease and desist” from making statements that are not true to the public. As noted above, the VPC’s charter and tax exempt status as a public charity make it clear that the organization is engaged in a partnership with the DVA to enhance the site for the benefit of veterans. We have informed this group that the property is not a “public park” for use solely – or even primarily – by citizens of adjoining communities, and that the DVA has the authority to regulate the park’s usage as recently re-emphasized by a federal court.
Q. Does the Veterans Park Conservancy provide direct services to veterans?
A. No. The VPC’s mission does not extend to direct programs for veterans of the kind which are provided by the VA. The provisions of such direct services – including housing for homeless veterans – are provided by other organizations and not VPC. More specific information about these services can be found at the VA’s web site, http://www.losangeles.va.gov/
Q. What is next for the Veterans Park Conservancy?
A. Recognizing the distinctive historic features of the WLA VA property, the VA is seeking to encourage heritage tourism, in cooperation with the National Park Service and its Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary. The park service has documented the historic significance of the WLA VA property, originally the “Pacific Branch”, as one of 11 original National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers across the country. To encourage appreciation of this history, the DVA has asked the VPC to extend its stewardship of the Los Angeles National Veterans Park by providing visitor services across the entire property. As additional resources become available, the VPC and DVA will undertake a “cooperative historic preservation program”, interpreting for the benefit of veterans and visitors alike the historic attributes of the property.
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/veterans_affairs/list_of_sites.html
The VPC is also evaluating additional opportunities to enhance areas of the Park that support the DVA’s Integrated Health Initiative, which emphasizes alternative therapies and holistic healing.
Q. Who is the design team for the Los Angeles National Veterans Park?
A. The VPC is working in consultation with many DVA medical professionals and other experts who are on the cutting edge of new types of holistic treatments. These experts include psychiatrists and physicians, mental health experts, recreational and addiction specialists. Their combined expertise represents the gold standard of measuring patient-centered care.
The VA is developing a health care initiative that augments traditional Western medicine with alternative therapies, such as yoga, tai chi and meditation based on current research and direct input from veterans. Accordingly, the VPC has formed a “partnership for healing” with the VA to ensure that the park becomes an environment that complements this new approach.
The new park will have athletic and recreational facilities as a result of this input from patients, VA medical and treatment experts, as well as the VPC’s combined planning effort . As an example, plans now include an outdoor grass amphitheater to be used for entertainment as well as designated areas for physical activities, e.g. a running /walking track, areas for volleyball, bocce ball, badminton and horseshoes.
Q. How do I become involved or make a contribution to the work of VPC?
A. Our website has more information about supporting VPC. We also encourage you to send a message to info@veteransparkconservancy.org.
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