General Jeff Page
General Jeff Page | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jeffrey Page |
| Also known as | General Jeff, The Mayor of Skid Row |
| Born | July 5, 1965 Los Angeles California |
| Died | October 23, 2021 (aged 56) Los Angeles California |
| Genres | West Coast Hip Hop |
"General" Jeff Page (born July 07, 1965) was a West Coast hip hop pioneer and activist in the Skid row community of downtown Los Angeles.
Skid Row Activism
The Skid Row 3on3 Streetball League and Nike Basketball Court
In 2006, General Jeff began lobbying various city officials for a new basketball court to replace the cracked concrete surface area residents had been using. Eventually, he helped work a partnership with the Department of Recreation and Parks and the LA84 Foundation, which uses leftover funds from the 1984 Olympics to pay for athletic programs throughout the city. The foundation had its own partnership with Nike, which donated a new court surface fashioned from the rubber of recycled shoes. That’s why Nike’s trademark “swoosh” is painted on the center of a court in Skid Row.[1]
Access to clean drinking water
After years of heavy use Gladys Park's furniture and basketball court were in disrepair and the water fountain was corroded. In May 2008, General Jeff initiated an inquiry to The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) regarding the drinking water at both Gladys and San Julian Parks. This resulted in the Department of Recreation and Parks not only replacing the drinking fountain units, but also most of the adjoining underground pipes at Gladys Park. General Jeff also advocated for additional drinking fountains outside the parks in the Skid Row neighborhood. [2]
Christmas in Skid Row/Gladys and San Julian Parks
In December 2008, General Jeff organized a project with the LADWP called “Christmas in Skid Row/Gladys Park” which included a Christmas tree, lights and decorations meant to bring joy to area residents. This project continues to this day in both Skid Row parks, now with the full support of the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Skid Row City Limits Mural
The Skid Row City Limits Mural was installed in compliance with the city's mural ordinance, the project was created and organized by General Jeff by his Issues and Solutions organization, with mural installation led by local street art crew Winston Death Squad. It was carried out solely with volunteer labor from Skid Row citizens and without the aid of any non-profit service organizations.
General Jeff Park
On February 23, 2022, Los Angeles Councilman Kevin de León initiated a motion to rename Gladys Park to "General Jeff Park". The naming became official by City Council vote on May 13, 2022. Part of the motion reads, "General Jeff began to advocate for Gladys Park, with the idea that green spaces were an important component of a healthy community. Working alongside the community, 'Issues and Solutions' was able to replace the broken park benches, fix the cracked surface on the basketball court, upgrade the drinking fountain, and get increased cleaning from the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP)." Details of signage inside the park were being worked out as of late 2022. [3][4][5][6]
References
- ↑ Vaillancourt, Ryan (2009-10-26). "More Than Just a Game, Part III". Los Angeles Downtown News. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ↑ Roy, Jessica (2016-07-05). "DWP installs temporary sidewalk drinking fountains in skid row". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-01-08.
- ↑ "Council File: 22-0198". LACityClerk Connect. City of Los Angeles. 2022-05-13. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- ↑ "LA could rename Gladys Park for Skid Row activist General Jeff Page". Spectrum News 1 (Southern California). 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- ↑ "Councilman Seeks to Rename Park for Skid Row Activist General Jeff Page". KFI AM 640. 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2023-01-07.
- ↑ "Meeting Agenda" (PDF). Facility Repair and Maintenance Commission Task Force. City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. 2022-06-02. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
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