This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This mahjong revival is headed to a park near you
Stacking the tiles before a game.
(
Fiona Ng
/
LAist
)
Mahjong — the beloved tile strategy game that crosses both cultural and age barriers — is coming to a park near you thanks to a partnership between L.A. County Parks and Recreation and a local club, Common Ground Mahjong.
‘Another language we speak’
Rowland Heights resident and mahjong enthusiast Jay Zhao started Common Ground Mahjong about a year ago after finding they had to wait too long between game meetups.
“It brings people from all different backgrounds together. I’ve met folks that I would not have encountered outside of those mahjong clubs. ... In a way it’s another language that we speak,” Zhao said.
The details
Zhao’s new Mahjong in the Parks series will take place at open spaces from Arcadia to Culver City, with 15 tables and enough room for 60 people to play together. And one thing to note: the Mahjong in the Parks events will be for 13-tile Hong Kong style.
Sponsored message
The series is a collaboration between Common Ground, the Matilija Collective and L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation.
New players welcome
Zhao says everyone will be welcome at the park meetups, and there will be space for about 20 people to learn the game at the events, too. Just don’t be surprised if you come away from an event with a new friend.
“It’s always nice to see people move their connections from just like ‘Oh you’re just someone I play Mahjong with,’ to ‘Hey you’re someone I’m going to see outside of these events. Let's go hiking, let's go to a museum,’” Zhao told LAist.
You can go:
The first meetup will be at 5 p.m. July 8 at Arcadia Park:
405 S Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia
For a list of all the meetups, head over to Common Ground Mahjong’s website.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
