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People of Cypress Park: Ernesto Orozco

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Tengo 40 años en esta área. Tengo como unos 10 años que me pensioné. Yo casi no caminaba, ni sabía que estaba este parque aquí. Ya ahora después de que me pensioné pues ya me doy cuenta de como está todo.

Antes sí habían pandillas pero ahora está tranquilo.

Aquí nos la pasamos todos los retirados, platicando, divirtiéndonos.

Sí he visto cambios. Ahorita andaba yo para Glendale y he visto que están construyendo muchos apartamentos. Construyeron otro parque que está aquí en frente también. Y pues yo creo que por eso este parque también lo están abandonando. Estaban diciendo ayer los amigos que creo que andaban juntando firmas para hacer otra cosa aquí en el parque.

No más fui una vez [al parque Rio De Los Ángeles] cuando andaban apenas abriéndolo. Pero ya no he ido. Pues aquí nos la pasamos porque aquí está más tranquilo para nosotros. Allá es para niños, pues es para toda la gente grande, verdad? Pero aquí nos la pasamos nosotros.

Mi camioneta es del '72. La compré nueva y la conservo en buen estado porque en ella es en la que me muevo.

Translation:

I've been living in this area for 40 years. It's been about 10 years since I retired. I didn't use to walk often, I didn't even know this park was here. Now that I'm retired I'm more aware of the state of things.

There used to be gangs but now it's mellow.

This is where all us retirees spend our time — chatting, having fun.

I have seen changes. I was just driving to Glendale and I saw that there are a lot of apartments being constructed. There's another park that was constructed just across the way from here. I think that's probably why this park is being abandoned. Yesterday some friends were saying that people were collecting signatures to make something here in the park.

I only went once [to Rio de Los Ángeles State Park] when they'd just opened it. But I haven't been back. We spend our time here because for us this park is more easygoing. Over there is for kids, well it's also for adults, but we spend our time here.

My truck is from 1972. I bought it new and I keep it in good shape because it's what I get around in.

The above interview is transcribed and edited from the following interview:

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