New Leadership at Pali Rec Center

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

In a career spanning three decades, Jasmine Dowlatshahi may have found her dream job at last.

The new Senior Facility Director at the Palisades Recreation Center is full of enthusiasm and eager to share her talent and experience with a community that appreciates sports and the outdoors as much as any in Los Angeles.

“I’ve worked for the city of Los Angeles with the Department of Recreation and Parks full-time for 22 years now and before that I worked part-time as a recreation assistant for 10 years,” she said. “I’ve worked at different parks over the years, most recently Chatsworth and Reseda, and during the COVID-19 lockdown I worked as a homeless shelter manager at Woodland Hills for nine months.”

A mother of two boys, Dowlatshahi has a master’s degree in Family Studies and Sociology from Cal State University, Northridge. A quintessential “valley girl,” she was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley but she is loving every minute on the Westside.  \

“I’m also a PTA mom and love making jewelry as a hobby,” she added. “I’m a programmer. We’ll have summer camps, volleyball, basketball year round and classes for all ages at Palisades RC. I’m looking forward to putting on special events for the community as well.”

If first impressions mean anything, Dowlatshahi was endearing when she introduced herself via Zoom at last Wednesday night’s Park Advisory Board Meeting saying, “I’m so happy to be in the Palisades. I’m meeting new people every single day and love everyone’s love for the park.”

Assisting Dowlatshahi will be Ernesto Diaz, the facility’s new Recreation Coordinator, who described the transition as “crazy busy” but also “super exciting.” One of his first tasks was picking up spring uniforms at the beginning of the month.

“The Senior Facility Director position is permanent, it’s not acting or temporary,” Assistant General Manager of Recreation and Parks Service Branch Jimmy Kim confirmed at the Board Meeting. “I spoke to Jasmine before she was placed there and she’s very excited to go to Pacific Palisades and stabilize the programs there without the restrictions that were in place during COVID and up until recently. The park has beautiful amenities to offer.”

T-Ball started last Friday and other programs Dowlatshahi and Diaz look forward to implementing this spring include pickleball, badminton and line dancing.