Hundreds of youth and their families will have expanded opportunities to experience healthy recreation and active lifestyles this summer as the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation kicks off the 2016 Parks After Dark, or PAD, program and expands to 21 County parks.

One of the parks participating in the program includes Val Verde Community Regional Park at 30300 W. Arlington Rd. in Val Verde. The park will be participating in PAD from June 16th to August 13th, with the exception of June 30, July 1, and July 2.

Entering its seventh season, PAD has proven to be effective at encouraging healthy living, connecting communities and providing safe havens after hours during the summer months with extended hours and programming.

PAD begins on Thursday, June 16, 2016 and is scheduled through Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Athens, Mary M. Bethune, East Rancho Dominguez, Helen Keller, Jesse Owens Community Regional, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ted Watkins Memorial, El Cariso Community Regional, Adventure, Amelia Mayberry, Stephen Sorensen and Val Verde Parks.

No PAD will take place on June 30, July 1 or July 2.

Programming begins on Thursday, July 7, 2016 and is scheduled through Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Loma Alta, Pamela, Bassett, Belvedere Community Regional, Allen J. Martin, Eugene A. Obregon, San Angelo, Ruben F. Salazar and City Terrace Parks (see attached listing for park addresses).

The program takes place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes approximately 30 programs, including healthy cooking classes, sports, and exercise classes, movies in the park, concerts, computer courses, health outreach and social service resource fairs.

Along with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, a number of partnering County Departments and agencies make tremendous contributions to PAD, including the Chief Executive Office, Probation Department, Public Library, Public Health, Community and Senior Services, Human Relations Commission, Office of Child Protection, Sheriff’s Department, Public Defender, District Attorney and Arts Commission.