Believe it or not, there are more types of trees and plants in Los Angeles than palm trees. Except for the beach, LA is not usually associated with anything involving nature. But that does not mean LA is void of enjoyable outdoor spaces. Some of the more active LA dwellers can enjoy a number of hiking trails and scenic vistas scattered throughout places like Griffith Park, Malibu, and to our surprise, even the eastern cities such as Whittier .
Recently, we began our exploration of Cypress Park, a small neighborhood located in Northeast LA. If you missed out, you can refer to our introduction article. While spending some time there, we found out about the Río de Los Angeles State Park . To be honest, we hadn’t heard much about it. We were curious about a place nearby where we were more likely to hear leaves blowing in the wind than cars honking. Like the nosy neighbor on the block, we invited ourselves in.
On this day, the park was almost empty. Located along the LA river, the park is a state-protected, vast area of land dedicated to providing recreational space for the community, including various sports fields, and hiking and horseback riding trails. How it came to be is and interesting story. Opened in 2007, the park is built on the remnants of old train yards. The park, as it exists today, is a product of a huge conflict between the State Parks and the local community: The State Parks originally wanted the park to be open space and nature-oriented, as most State Parks tend to be, but the community felt that they were imposing on them and building a park without their consent or input. A local Latino soccer group called the Anahuak ended up being a major force in getting the State Parks to incorporate the desires and needs of the community—hence, the recreational facilities and multiple sport fields.
Shortly into our journey, we realized neither one of us were dressed for a hike on this unusually hot November day, but with sunglasses on face and obligatory coffee in hand, we continued to explore. As we walked along one of the trails, we snapped pictures, and talked about life, essenceLA, and future plans. We were able to really enjoy some of LA’s exterior, which was a nice change for us after so frequently operating indoors.
After leaving the park, another place caught our attention. Without a plan, we pulled into the parking lot of the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens —a place that didn’t come up on our radar until we made that left onto Ave. 26 off San Fernando Blvd. The grounds of the River Center and Gardens were refreshingly beautiful and filled with lush and diverse greenery; fountains running throughout the courtyard induced some much needed tranquility. Unknown to us, this place was a calm and impressive hideaway in the midst of an ever-busy city and was an outdoor retreat in prime NELA.
Both of these beautiful LA locations are open and available to the public for rest, relaxation, and recreation, and they are also available for special events, community gatherings, and conferences. Take the self-guided exhibit tour around the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, and learn about the history of the LA river, its status now, and the plans for its future.
However, one of the most amazing things that these places has to offer is their commitment to preserving, maintaining and displaying native plants and wildlife. We can relate in the sense that we are committed to the preservation and displaying of LA-native artists. Everyday, we notice that Los Angeles is changing and growing right before our eyes. We look forward to sharing more about the city and giving an insider's perspective from like-minded people who enjoy creative expression. At essenceLA, where are excited about our journey ahead.
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