This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
Photograph was edited for publication purposes The Land of Oz playground was located within the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park located at 14201 Huston Street in Sherman Oaks. Planning for the playground, which broke ground on November 27, 1964, began as a joint venture between the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, the Van Nuys Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Valley Children's Play Park Association. However, lack of funding for the 'Wizard of Oz' themed playground caused construction to drag on for more than a decade. In the end, the city withdrew further support for the failed project which was left incomplete and with only a few structures standing, the 'Over the Rainbow' bridge and 'Munchkinland' castle. Over the years, with no funding for maintenance or security, the play area and its structures fell victim to gang and drug activity, vandalism, and decay and were demolished in the late 1980's. Photograph caption dated December 17, 1964 reads, "Los Angeles City Councilman Ernani Bernardi rides with children on wagon which took him and other officials to groundbreaking ceremonies for the Land of Oz Children's Play Park in the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Playground. When completed, the $250,000 park will recreate areas described in L. Frank Baum's 'Wizard of Oz.' Dressed as Baum's Tin Woodman, Bernardi could not alight from wagon because his suit was too tight."; See images #00118380 through #00118387 for all photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Bernardi, Ernani Ground breaking ceremonies--California--Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles) Playgrounds--California--Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles) Playgrounds--California--Los Angeles--Design and construction Crowds--California--Los Angeles Children--California--Los Angeles City council members--California--Los Angeles Men--California--Los Angeles Hayrides--California--Los Angeles Wagons--California--Los Angeles Oz (Imaginary place) Tin Woodman (Fictitious character) Costumes Signs and signboards--California--Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles) Parks--California--Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles) Van Nuys Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park (Los Angeles, Calif.) Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles, Calif.) Valley Times Collection photographs
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