A desolate field transformed into Vista Hermosa Natural Park.


Environmental Hazard to Award Winning Park Vista Hermosa Nautral Park


Located on the edge of downtown at 1st Street and Toluca Street in City West, Vista Hermosa Natural Park— whose name in Spanish translates to “beautiful view,” is the first new public park to open in Los Angeles since 1895, giving residents of a city with far less green space than other major urban centers a chance to breathe, relax and play. This 10.5- acre recreational facility is one of downtown’s largest, second only in size to the 32-acre Cornfield Park north of Chinatown.


Vista Hermosa Natural Park has not only transformed the urban landscape, but also the community surrounding the park, which now has a “big backyard” in which to relax and play. Opened in July of 2008, the park includes trails, meadows, picnic grounds, nature-themed playgrounds, and a green FIFA- regulated soccer field. The Natural Park is managed by the MRCA while


10 Symbiosis


the soccer field is managed by Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks.


The park was built to be environmentally sensitive and serve recreational purposes. The park has a natural landscape with California native plants from five different ecosystems found in the Santa Monica Mountains. These plants attract many animals, proving that wildlife sightings are possible even in the heart of downtown LA. The facilities in the park do not taint the green landscape, but add to it. Environmentally sensitive construction, such as green roofs, makes the building more energy efficient, collect rain water, and reduce pollutants from the atmosphere, while permeable surfaces such as pavers, concrete and decomposed granite trails allow water to soak into the ground. Finally, the cistern collects the water from the drains in the park


and saves it for future use. All these features exemplify the shift in urban park planning, from traditional playgrounds to new, green urban natural parks.


Naturalist-led programs have strengthened the bond between park visitors and nature, especially in a community heavily deprived of access to nature. Throughout the year the MRCA offers free programs in the park which benefit a wide range of audiences. During the summer, the weekly campfires light up the night with entertaining songs, educational nature activities and delicious marshmallows. Junior Ranger program taught by MRCA naturalists and rangers prepares children ages 6-12 with skills needed for outdoor exploration.


The park also acts as a gateway to regional open space, as we provide transportation to parks in the Santa


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