'It's funny, it's cheeky': Inglewood's Gopher Park is ready for visitors
New tables already being used in park, and basketball court nearly ready
You may have noticed some changes to the green space on the corner of 11th Street and 11th Avenue S.E. over the past few months.
The city and local businesses have been working together to spruce up the corner in Inglewood and turn it into an urban oasis they've dubbed "Gopher Park."
"Before activating this for humans, it was overrun with hundreds of gophers," said Dan Allard, co-owner of Cold Garden Brewery, and one of the business owners working on the project.
"Unfortunately, in doing the project, the gophers get dealt with. So it's funny, it's cheeky, but it's also just a great project."
Allard says they're happy to see some gophers withstood the renovation or have already moved back in.
"There's gonna be a nice harmony between the gophers that come back," he said.
Since June, the park has seen the addition of chess-top tables and seating areas as well as a three-on-three basketball court — complete with a glass backboard and mural of a gopher painted on the asphalt.
"We have been trying to fight people off with their ball," said Allard. "Just about five minutes ago, somebody showed up and with their basketball. They were asking, 'when's he going to be done?'"
Allard says the court will be fully ready to use by the weekend.
Additionally, he says, park guests are encouraged to borrow a chess set from one of the nearby breweries and come enjoy the park.
"This vision started when we first opened the brewery two and a half years ago," he said. "The concept is literally the same napkin drawing that we had then."
Allard says one unique thing about the urban park is that the park will never be shut down for events.
"The concept is we want this park to be open and accessible at all times," he said. "If it's a sunny day, you're welcome to come play."
With files from Rebecca Kelly