We're working on a project with some other Altadena-area bloggers, which involves reserving picnic tables at Farnsworth Park for late March.  So far, it's been an exercise in frustration — the buck has been passed to an 800 number, which is answered by a machine that tells us to call during office hours (which is when we call), and leave a message (which we do). Not that anyone calls back.

Unfortunately, this is has been our typical response from LA County Parks and Recreation — if we don't reach a live body, fuggedaboutit.  We've left several messages over our last year and half of bloglife, and have never had a call returned — even when we are returning a message from somebody at the county parks & rec who called us first.  It's fun and a good use of our time!

UPDATE 2/12 2 PM: Thanks to all those who emailed to give advice or just vent re: experiences with county parks.  We worked up a war plan of escalating conflict, but it only required going to Farnsworth Park this morning and being obnoxious.  I'm collaborating with my co-conspirators, and we will have an announcement shortly.