PlayLA, a youth sports initiative, drew parents and children in North Hollywood

Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and the Department of Recreation and Parks opened the PlayLA summer season with a community celebration at Valley Plaza Recreation Center in North Hollywood on Thursday night offering free food, 400 free backpacks for children, hip hop dancing and a Zumba workout.

PlayLA is a youth and adaptive youth sports initiative that provides affordable and accessible sports programming for children aged 5-17. It is funded by $160 million from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), that officials say “makes it the largest commitment to youth sports development in California.”

On this sunny evening in the Valley, children got their pictures taken in a photo booth, laughed and jumped around in a “bounce house,” showed off their moves in hip hop, enjoyed the dancers from ISANA Cardinal Academy Folkloric Group, and got free hamburgers.

A boy enjoys a bubble toy while attending the PLAyLA community celebration at North Hollywood’s Valley Plaza Recreation Center July 31, 2025. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and the Dept. of Recreation and Parks hosted the free event which provided over 400 free backpacks and a free meal to those in attendance.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

Members of the ISANA Cardinal Academy Folkloric Group perform during the PLAyLA community celebration at Valley Plaza Recreation Center July 31, 2025 in North Hollywood. Councilmember Adrin Nazarian and the Dept. of Recreation and Parks hosted the event which gave out 400 backpacks, offered free food, dance performances and booths from local organizations and vendors. (Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

LA City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian greets youngsters during the PLAyLA community celebration at Valley Plaza Recreation Center July 31, 2025. Councilmember Nazarian joined forces with the Dept. of Recreation and Parks for the event which gave out 400 backpacks, offered free food, dance performances and booths from local organizations and vendors.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)

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PlayLA welcomes all youth regardless of physical ability, income or immigration status. Organizers said the goal is to give youth access to quality sports, encourage recreation, and “build a lasting connection to the Olympic movement in anticipation of the LA28 Games.”

According to city officials, PlayLA is the first city program in L.A. to offer adaptive sports for youth with disabilities, including activities like para surfing, wheelchair tennis and adaptive swimming. Summer PlayLA programs will continue through August.