Estrella Park—South LA, North University Park

1956 Estrella Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90007 In 1982, a garbage-strewn lot in South Los Angeles was converted into an oasis of open space in a neighborhood that had none. The effort was led by a group of fifth- and sixth-graders and their teachers at Norwood Street Elementary School.

For years, the vacant lot on Estrella Avenue had been used as a junkyard for auto repairs and waste. Meanwhile, area families yearned for a safe place to play, relax and socialize. A campaign launched by the schoolchildren attracted the support of a local business leader and the California Community Foundation, and together they raised enough money to create a park.

But two decades later the lot had again fallen into disrepair. Some of the facilities were deemed health and safety hazards, and the community had all but abandoned hope for the land. In 2004, the Neighborhood Land Trust was deeded the property and began working with Esperanza Community Housing Corporation and residents to reclaim the park.

Community members developed a sustainable plan for the park’s future and generous grants from the S. Mark Taper Foundation and The Annenberg Foundation made a complete refurbishment possible. In 2006, the park reopened and received a warm welcome from the community.

Since then, Estrella Park has been a hub of activity with tremendous growth in community involvement and an ever-increasing sense of pride. The Neighborhood Land Trust has organized a series of ongoing programs for youth and adults including yoga, kickboxing, aerobics, mural design, photography and creative writing classes.

Richardson Family Park –
South Los Angeles, West Adams

2700 S. Budlong Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Located in the community surrounding the University of Southern California, Richardson Family Park was established in 1999 by a group of neighbors working in partnership with Esperanza Community Housing Corporation. The idea became reality through the generous donation of land by the Richardson family and support from two longstanding block clubs in the community, Comunidades Unidas en Progresso and Van Buren Place Community Restoration Association.

Unfortunately, over the next decade the park fell victim to neglect and residents began to view it as a magnet for crime. That all changed in August 2007 when the Neighborhood Land Trust organized a community workday sponsored by the L.A. Stars Foundation. Some 400 volunteers turned out to reclaim the park, making the event a huge success.

Once again, the block clubs Comunidades Unidas en Progresso and Van Buren Place Community Restoration Association helped with the restoration. Additional support came from the local neighborhood council and the Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Development Council. USC also provided a neighborhood outreach grant to fund community organizing and economic development opportunities.

With our help, the park has once again become a neighborhood asset. The community management group Vecinos Unidos de Richardson Family Park works hard to maintain active programming that includes art and aerobics classes as well as a monthly resident cleanup day

Marsh Street Skate Park – Elysian Valley

2945 Marsh Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039
When the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy announced plans to create a nature park along the Los Angeles River in Elysian Valley, the community petitioned the conservancy to consider the needs of neighborhood youth. The conservancy responded to the community’s petition by setting aside a piece of the land for a skate park.

The Neighborhood Land Trust and SMMC arranged a lease and secured funding for the project through a Community Development Block Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Community members enthusiastically helped build the final structural elements and Marsh Street Skate Park opened in 2007.

Operated by the community management group LandSkate Crew, Marsh Street Skate Park is successfully fulfilling its mission by serving as a healthy alternative for youth who have few other options. Rather than becoming involved in gang activity, neighborhood youth can enjoy recreation, exercise and participation in important skills development programs that help them win jobs and become productive members of society.

Download the Participant Waiver Here

Francis Avenue Community Garden – Koreatown

aka Moothart Collingnon
2909 Francis Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90005 With help and seed money from the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles and the nonprofit Urban Ministries, neighbors created Francis Avenue Community Garden in 1996 on an abandoned lot that had been a trash-strewn eyesore. They initially named the project Francis Avenue Garden and subsequently changed the name to Moothart Collingnon Community Garden.

While the community cherished the garden from the beginning, a lack of consistent funding made it difficult to maintain the property. Private ownership of the land also complicated planning for the future. After 10 years of maintenance by a few dedicated community members, the Neighborhood Land Trust was approached as a prospective partner to ensure the garden would remain a public space in perpetuity.

In 2007, we entered discussions with the property owner and successfully negotiated a discounted price for the land. We signed the final contracts in 2008 and the Neighborhood Land Trust began managing the site shortly thereafter. With funding from Proposition K—a 30-year bond established in Los Angeles in 1996 to benefit city parks and other recreation facilities—we made much-needed improvements and the garden now has its own community management group, Comunidad en Accion. The garden also hosts a full roster of programs that include art and music classes for youth as well as an empowerment group for women.

Unidad Park – Historic Filipinotown

1644 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 In 2005, The Anna H. Bing Living Trust awarded the Neighborhood Land Trust and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks $4 million to build parks and playgrounds in underserved neighborhoods throughout L.A. One of the first places to benefit is located in the heart of historic Filipinotown, now the site of Unidad Park.

In a neighborhood where few households have personal outdoor space, Unidad Park has become an integral addition to the community. It serves as a collective backyard for neighbors while the many programs it offers provide a vital alternative to the area’s pervasive gang activities.

The Neighborhood Land Trust works with many nonprofit partners to manage the park and provide programs that serve the community’s needs. Additionally, the community management group Consejos Unidad meets on a monthly basis to plan gatherings and other celebrations that invite resident participation.

11th Avenue Family Park
– South Los Angeles, Hyde Park

6116 11th Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043 11th Avenue Family Park is located in Hyde Park, a particularly park-poor neighborhood in South Los Angeles. With the help of a grant from Kaboom!, a national nonprofit “dedicated to saving play for America’s children,” service from CaliforniaVolunteers and additional support from Kaiser Permanente, 11th Avenue Family Park has become a community oasis.

The project grabbed attention as “the park built in a day” after a tremendous turnout of community members and other supporters did just that. The park is now home to 11th Avenue Family Park Council, which oversees programming and maintenance to ensure the neighborhood has a thriving park for years to come.

Marson Street Pocket Park – Panorama City

15262 Marson Street, Panorama City, CA 91402 The land for Marson Street Pocket Park started out as 6,000 square feet of neglected surplus city property. Through the Neighborhood Land Trust’s efforts and funding from The Anna H. Bing Living Trust, the surrounding community was able to organize and collaborate on transforming it into a gathering spot that benefits the entire neighborhood.

After many meetings, discussions and planning sessions, Marson Street Pocket Park opened its gates to an overjoyed community in 2007. The park has since become an integral part of the community. It serves as a meeting place and focus for the community group Grupo Unidos, and it is a lively destination for neighbors. The park offers a wide diversity of programs ranging from cardio salsa and Aztec dance to nutrition and conflict resolution classes.