Pat Nixon Park
Encyclopedia
Pat Nixon Park is a neighborhood park in Cerritos
, California
named for the late First Lady
Pat Nixon
(1912–1993). The 4 acres (1.6 ha) park occupies the site of the former First Lady's childhood home and truck farm, where she lived from 1914 until 1931, a Senior Center that now sits on the site of the home after it was destroyed by fire in 1978, and the Patricia Nixon Elementary School.
targeted towards the 50-and-over demographic. It was originally dedicated on January 29, 1994. The $3.5 million senior center is located within the park.
Cerritos leaders agreed in placing the senior center in a relatively central location. Not only did Pat Nixon Park make the center more accessible for drivers, but the location also ensured that routes from the Cerritos On Wheels transit system to additional points of interest such as the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
, Los Cerritos Center
, the Cerritos Towne Center
and the Cerritos Millennium Library
would not require a significant commute for seniors who could not drive.
Wolff, Lang, Christopher Architects Inc. was chosen to design a building different from the city of Cerritos's ultramodern style tendencies. The developers decided upon an inviting, homey American Craftsman
style structure with rustic river rock and wood framework and trellis
es.
The interior of the senior center offers two lounges and ample space for classes and activities, crafts, computer usage and matinées. A large tank with exotic fish and a World Hall for special exhibits were also included. Multipurpose rooms provided stages and kitchens for celebrations and programs. Outside, a park surrounding the center with patio and barbecue areas, koi
fishponds and lawns completed the landscape.
In March 2006, as part of Cerritos's golden anniversary, a 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) wellness and fitness room was added and dedicated in order to help local seniors stay healthy and remain active.
Cerritos, California
Cerritos is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. It was incorporated on April 24, 1956...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
named for the late First Lady
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
Pat Nixon
Pat Nixon
Thelma Catherine "Pat" Ryan Nixon was the wife of Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, and was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974. She was commonly known as Patricia or Pat Nixon.Born in Nevada, Pat Ryan grew up in Los Angeles, California...
(1912–1993). The 4 acres (1.6 ha) park occupies the site of the former First Lady's childhood home and truck farm, where she lived from 1914 until 1931, a Senior Center that now sits on the site of the home after it was destroyed by fire in 1978, and the Patricia Nixon Elementary School.
Senior Center
The Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park is a 27500 square feet (2,554.8 m²) public recreational clubhouse in Cerritos, CaliforniaCerritos, California
Cerritos is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. It was incorporated on April 24, 1956...
targeted towards the 50-and-over demographic. It was originally dedicated on January 29, 1994. The $3.5 million senior center is located within the park.
Development and architecture
The aging of the baby boomers in Cerritos and elsewhere prompted efforts to plan and develop a clubhouse type center that would focus on services to the rapidly growing senior population. Some qualities sought for the project included a place for senior citizens to socialize, participate in educational programs, receive human services, and enjoy recreational activities. The center needed to provide a focal point for community involvement.Cerritos leaders agreed in placing the senior center in a relatively central location. Not only did Pat Nixon Park make the center more accessible for drivers, but the location also ensured that routes from the Cerritos On Wheels transit system to additional points of interest such as the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is a entertainment and music venue located in the Cerritos Towne Center of Cerritos, California. It is owned and operated by the City of Cerritos and it opened its doors to the public on January 9, 1993 and hosts opera, cabaret, jazz, dance, magic,...
, Los Cerritos Center
Los Cerritos Center
The Los Cerritos Center is a super regional shopping mall located in Cerritos, California. Since September 1971, the Los Cerritos Center has been an integral part of the city of Cerritos' tax revenue. The mall is the city's largest revenue source, producing $581 per square foot in sales in 2010...
, the Cerritos Towne Center
Cerritos Towne Center
The Cerritos Towne Center is a power centre located in the center of Cerritos, California that combines retailing, office, and entertainment in one master project. The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is located within the southwestern part of the project...
and the Cerritos Millennium Library
Cerritos Millennium Library
The Cerritos Library, the New Cerritos Library, or the Cerritos Public Library is the civic library for the City of Cerritos, California. It was rededicated on March 16, 2002 with the new moniker and the current futuristic design. It was the first building to feature an exterior clad with titanium...
would not require a significant commute for seniors who could not drive.
Wolff, Lang, Christopher Architects Inc. was chosen to design a building different from the city of Cerritos's ultramodern style tendencies. The developers decided upon an inviting, homey American Craftsman
American Craftsman
The American Craftsman Style, or the American Arts and Crafts Movement, is an American domestic architectural, interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts style and lifestyle philosophy that began in the last years of the 19th century. As a comprehensive design and art...
style structure with rustic river rock and wood framework and trellis
Trellis
Trellis may refer to:* Trellis Drainage System* Trellis , an architectural structure often used to support plants* Trellis , a special kind of graph, often used in coding...
es.
The interior of the senior center offers two lounges and ample space for classes and activities, crafts, computer usage and matinées. A large tank with exotic fish and a World Hall for special exhibits were also included. Multipurpose rooms provided stages and kitchens for celebrations and programs. Outside, a park surrounding the center with patio and barbecue areas, koi
Koi
or more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
fishponds and lawns completed the landscape.
In March 2006, as part of Cerritos's golden anniversary, a 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) wellness and fitness room was added and dedicated in order to help local seniors stay healthy and remain active.
Pat Nixon's childhood home
The home Nixon lived in from 1914 to 1931 was situated on the corner of South Street and Ely Avenue. The city of Cerritos bought the property from Mrs. Nixon's brother in 1967, but the home was destroyed by fire in 1978.External links
- Cerritos Senior Center on the City of Cerritos web site