West Hollywood’s Annual Rec Expo Brings Families, Fire Trucks, and Summer Sign-Ups to Plummer Park

The City of West Hollywood Parks and Recreation Department hosted the event at 7361 Santa Monica Boulevard. Colorful balloon clusters lined the main walkway into the park. A bubble machine ran on the lawn, drawing toddlers across the grass. A fire truck parked at the edge of the park let children climb into the cab.

“This is our community event,” said Barbie, a City Parks and Recreation staff member. “Just engaging everybody in our summer activities with Parks and Recreation.”

Summer program registration opens May 5 at 10 a.m. for West Hollywood residents. Non-residents can register starting May 7 at 10 a.m.

Programs run for children and adults.

“A lot of people thought maybe it was just kids,” Barbie said. “Oh, no.”

Rick Castaneda and his wife brought their son Nicolas. He said they heard about the expo through Rosewood Avenue School. At one point, Nicolas and mom hopped aboard one of the fire trucks. “West Hollywood always has a lot of events going on, which is really great,” Castaneda said.

Derek Carroll said his wife was staffing the Women’s Advisory Board booth. His son Dash made a beeline for the fire truck, then spotted the bubbles.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County also tabled at the event. Staff member Xavier Gray brought taxidermied specimens, including a fox squirrel, a Cooper’s Hawk, a bobcat pelt, and a coyote.

“It kind of educates people about wildlife and the shrinking green spaces,” Gray said. “All of these animals are local to the area.”

Gray said the museum and its sister site, the La Brea Tar Pits, are open daily except the first Tuesday of each month. Hours run 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sponsors of the Rec Expo included Gelson’s, Pavilions, Shake Shack, and Athens Services.

Nelson left with his Foam WeHo finger in hand and mom in tow. Mom said they had a great time and that it was good to know West Hollywood has so many great summer programs to consider.