Los Angeles State Historic Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Los Angeles State Historic Park |
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A view of Los Angeles State Historic Park
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 Los Angeles State Historic Park
Location in California
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Los Angeles County, California |
| Nearest city | Los Angeles, California |
| Area | 32 acres (13 ha) |
| Established | 2001 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Los Angeles State Historic Park (LASHP) is a special park in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles. It's managed by the California State Park system. People sometimes call this park "The Cornfield." It's a big open space located near the Metro Gold Line train tracks.
A Park with a Past
This park used to be a train station called River Station, which operated from 1876 to 1901. It was a very important place, almost like the "Ellis Island of Los Angeles." This means it was often the first place new people arriving from the eastern parts of the country would step off the train.
The park got its nickname, "The Cornfield," because corn would sometimes leak from the train cars. This corn would then sprout and grow along the tracks! The area became a California state park in 2001. It covers about 32 acres (13 hectares).
How the Park Was Developed
In 2001, workers found a five-foot section of an old irrigation canal called the Zanja Madre. This canal was very important for bringing water to early Los Angeles.
In 2005, something really cool happened. The old industrial site was turned into a real cornfield for one season! This was an art project called "Not a Cornfield." It showed how the land could be used for something different.
In 2006, a competition was held to choose the best design for the new park. A company from San Francisco, Hargreaves and Associates, won the contest. A small part of the park opened to the public on September 23, 2006.
Developing the park fully has taken some time. In 2010, California's budget problems meant that plans for the park had to be scaled back. Instead of spending $55 million, only $18 million was available. This meant some ideas, like a bridge, a big water fountain, special gardens, and an ecology center, had to be put on hold. These features might be added later if more money becomes available.
As of 2018, the park is fully open! You can use the campfire circle, restrooms, and parking lot. Many community events and gatherings are held here. The park also has several plaques that share stories about the history of "The Cornfield," Chinatown, and Downtown Los Angeles.
