LA County Parks Celebrates Opening of Nogales Park in Walnut Park
This brand new location will feature a splash pad, lawn, exercise equipment and much more to increase park accessibility for Walnut Park residents
LOS ANGELES, CA (December 2023) — The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation celebrated the opening of its newest park location, Nogales Park this past weekend. Located in Walnut Park, this new park space will bring amenities to the community including a splash pad, a lawn area, exercise equipment, a performance stage and cutting-edge underground stormwater capture infrastructure. These amenities aim to enhance the overall health, well-being and safety of the community.
The opening celebration featured performances by Aztec Dancers, local Artist Brian Muñoz, and a special showcase by the talented students of Walnut Park Elementary School. Additionally, there was a wide range of activities for both children and seniors, delicious food and drinks as well as free giveaways. Los Angeles County Supervisor, 4th District Janice Hahn, Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation Norma Edith García-González, and Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, among other dignitaries, were on hand to celebrate.
“Everyone deserves access to safe, beautiful green spaces, especially in dense urban communities. But for years, Walnut Park has been denied that. Now we’ve turned what was an eyesore into a pocket park that this community will enjoy for years to come,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
Resulting from grant proposal efforts of Proposition 68, Statewide Park Development and Revitalization Program and support from Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hanh, Nogales Park is a development of a 0.5-acre parcel that was transformed into a new pocket park. The new park addresses the critical need for park access in a community that previously did not have a park. The design process of Nogales Park involved extensive community engagement, ensuring that the resident’s voices were heard in shaping a space that reflects the cultural diversity and aspirations of Walnut Park.
“Nogales Park represents the unwavering hope of the Walnut Park community to have a park of their own.” said Norma E. García-González, Director of LA County Parks. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the village of community champions, partners, funders, and Supervisor Hahn, as well as the LA County Parks staff, who made Nogales Park a reality for the Walnut Park community. This village never lost faith that Nogales Parks was meant to be.”
According to the 2016 Parks and Public Health Report, Walnut Park ranks 116 out of 120 Los Angeles County communities regarding available parkland, emphasizing the extreme lack of access within the community. Nogales Park will not only fill a recreational void but will also promote inclusivity by providing amenities such as a splash pad. This universally accessible and cost-effective water feature fulfills a strong desire expressed by the residents.
In the coming months, residents can look forward to a variety of new recreation programs at Nogales Park. Additional information and resources will be available to the public once details are confirmed.
“We’re proud to support the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation in addressing the community’s numerous social, recreational, and public health needs through this project,” said Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, P.E. “Among its many features, the park includes a stormwater capture system that will clean and conserve stormwater onsite to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and increase regional water resiliency—capturing as much as 3.2 million gallons of water annually.”
Nogales Park is located at 2603 Grand Ave, Walnut Park, CA 90255. For more information on the Nogales Park please visit parks.lacounty.gov or call (323) 260-2360.
