RAUL MACIAS

“You can’t just create a park and then leave it. No. You have to care for it and improve it for the future. This park, our park, has a plan for the future.” – Raul Macias

Raul Macias is an affable man with an easy smile and an engaging laugh. But when it comes to Rio de Los Angeles State Park and the future of Los Angeles’ youth, he is intense and serious. Raul grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico, moved to Los Angeles some 30 years ago and became a successful businessman. He also founded the award winning Anahuak Youth Sports Association, a non-profit children’s sports organization dedicated to providing underserved youth with active recreational opportunities to keep them healthy, engaged and away from gangs. “I started getting involved in 2002 because my business is next to what is now the park,” says Macias. “When they started planning factories and industry for the site, I worked with my community to take a position on these proposed developments. And after a lot of work, and a lot of meetings, State Parks took over the site and told everyone they could help design it.” At one point, Macias recalls while laughing, “My wife and daughter said, ‘Why bother coming home? Just take your pillow so you can stay longer at the planning meetings!’” “You know, Rio de Los Angeles State Park is one of the most important—if not the most important—urban parks in the city," he said. "It benefits the entire city, but especially the local community. And yet, we have a lot of work to do. I want to get my community back to being close to nature. Many of them work hard all day, maybe play some soccer, go home, and do that all over again. Some of them take this park for granted. I tell them no, don’t do that. Every day you have to do something for this park. Every day you have to learn a little bit more about not only this park but also other parks and open spaces. If you have the right to vote, you have to pay attention to these things in your community.”