Juneteenth Celebrated At Nation's First Jackie Robinson Park

The historic park in Sun Village hosted a vibrant Juneteenth festival, honoring the African American community's resilience and recognizing local leaders and residents.

2 minute read

June 20, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


Jackie Robinson Park sign in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation / Jackie Robinson Park

On Saturday, June 15th, 2024, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger commemorated Juneteenth at Jackie Robinson Park in the community of Sun Village in the Antelope Valley. This celebration, organized by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation alongside the Friends of Jackie Robinson Park, is one of the oldest Juneteenth festivities in the county. Jackie Robinson Park, named after the first African-American Major League Baseball player, serves as a fitting venue for the event. Supervisor Barger highlighted the importance of Juneteenth, celebrating the resilience and spirit of the African American community, noting that this local event has been a cornerstone of Antelope Valley for many years.

The celebration featured live music, food, drill teams, and an exhibition on the history of Jackie Robinson Park and Sun Village. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who spent part of her childhood in Sun Village, was a guest speaker. Supervisor Barger presented Mayor Cantrell with a commendation scroll and honored local leaders and longtime residents. This annual Juneteenth event underscores the community's long-standing commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the significance of the day.

In 2022, Jackie Robinson Park was designated as a County historic landmark by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. The park earned the recognition because it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the history of Sun Village and Los Angeles County.

Monday, June 17, 2024 in The Los Angeles Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Colorful blocky apartment building facade.

Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software

Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.

4 hours ago - Stateline

Silver electric BMW car parked in driveway of home in Oakland, California.

Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers

Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.

5 hours ago - City of Oakland

Sculpture of seated Jane Goodall holding hands with chimp on green lawn.

Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action

Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.

6 hours ago - Pasadena Star-News