Palisades Recreation Center Director Sees ‘Big Picture’

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

It has been a busy first two months for Jasmine Dowlatshahi, senior facility director at Palisades Recreation Center. She brought 22 years of full-time experience to the job when hired, having worked at eight different parks around the city of Los Angeles.

“I really want to get our pre-K room remodeled and start up an Early Learners program at the center,” she said. “The room is currently outdated and needs some repairs. It also needs furniture and a lot of supplies. I recently put in for a grant from the LA Parks Foundation and asked for $25,000 to remodel the room, and purchase all the supplies and equipment. I’m waiting to see the outcome.”

A San Fernando Valley native and mother of two boys (ages 6 and 8), Dowlatshahi has a master’s degree from California State University, Northridge, and her hobbies include making jewelry. In keeping with her vision to expand programming, she is hoping to start a youth volleyball league at the Rec Center.

“I currently have a quote to purchase equipment, and $2,400 funding toward this program is coming from a family from the Palisades who lost their daughter who was an avid volleyball player, and it will be in her memory,” she said. “Lastly, I want to have a big successful summer camp program at the park starting this summer. Camp is how I started my career with the park, and I love having all of the campers utilizing all parts of the center and coming up with creative ways to keep kids entertained. I love the good old-fashioned nature of summer camp and watching the kids become like family over time.”

New Recreation Coordinator Ernesto Diaz has worked for the city of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks department since he was 18, serving as recreation assistant for 12 years at Barrington Recreation Center; full-time in 2016 as a coordinator for Mar Vista Recreation Center; then three years at Balboa Sports Center in Encino before transferring to the Palisades.

“My first job was actually working at the Palisades Tennis Center,” he said. “My uncle, Scott Wilson, was the head tennis pro and got me a job helping out in the summer camp and working the Pro Shop with Heidi Wessels. We’d often have staff from the park come in to buy snacks and drinks, and they’re the ones who actually got me a job interview at Barrington. So I’ve come back full circle.”

A graduate of Santa Monica High School and California State University, Long Beach, Diaz said he is glad to be working with Dowlatshahi.

“I’m in charge of the sports programs but also help plan and run all the programs, permits, special events and camps,” he said. “Jasmine and I oversee all the programming at the park. I also oversee, manage and help hire staff. I’m on the West Region Sports Board, where I represent the Palisades’ various all-star teams. I’m eager to get back to programming that focuses on the physical and mental health of the community.”