Have a relaxing Sunday in beautiful Los Angeles State Historic Park where you can chill, have a picnic, enjoy public art and spend quality time with your friends, family, dogs or by yourself.
Los Angeles State Historic Park is a 32-acre home to orange trees, grassland, public art and a mile-long run/walk trail.
L.A. State Historic Park was the site of the Zanja Madre Aqueduct in the early days of the Pueblo de Los Angeles. In late 19th century, it was a rail yard and remained that way over a century.
In 1999, the park almost turned into a million square feet of warehouse and industrial space but the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods didn’t agree with that plan. They formed the Chinatown Yards Alliance, joined forces with a few key influencers, and ultimately stopped development.
The people won and in 2001 California State Parks acquired the property. Finally, the park reopened on Earth Day 2017 after three years of renovations.
History and diverse communities are now incorporated into the park’s design. The park features “Origins,” a sculptural piece by Debra Scacco that was inspired by the nearby L.A. River.
She said:
“When I conceived the piece, it was particularly with this patch of land in mind because it really is about the changing courses of the river and the changing courses of this site, the original Zanja Madre. There’s a particular relevance to it and I’m delighted that it’s going to live here.”
“A Park Is Made By People” installation by Rosten Woo recalls the struggle to save this land from industrial redevelopment with protest signs.
Fallen Fruit, who have planted trees across the U.S., brought their “Endless Orchard“ project to the park too. Endless Orchard is a sustainable, edible, living artwork — fruit trees planted, cared for, and mapped by the public for everyone to share.
The Fallen Fruit artists interviewed nearby residents and used their quotes to form poetry that appears on the planters surrounding Valencia orange trees.
Stephanie Campbell, who manages the creative projects for Park says:
“In terms of the historical nature of the park, it’s meant to represent California’s second gold rush, which was the citrus industry.”
There’s a lot to see at the Park, from the art to the pavers that go back to the land’s life as a rail yard, and “rock pockets” – small dugouts filled with rocks and plants that will collect rain water.
Then there is the breathtaking view of the Downtown L.A. with skyscrapers in the distance, a view that becomes all the more beautiful when standing on top of a small bridge in the middle of the park.
We are so thankful for the people who fought for this beautiful park.
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