Hazard Park Explained

Hazard Park
Type:	Urban park
Location:	2230 Norfolk Street, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles
Operator:	City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Status:	Open all year

Hazard Park is a 26.5acres city park in Los Angeles, California. The park was named after Henry T. Hazard, the 20th mayor of Los Angeles.

The park is abutted by County+USC Medical Center and the Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School.

History

Named after Henry T. Hazard A 2000-seat terraced grandstand opened in 1911 in the park, as did "the largest and best fitted playgrounds", divided into sections for boys and for girls.^[1]

Beginning in 1962, a 1000-bed Veterans Administration (VA) hospital was planned to replace the park. The VA had proposed exchanging of park land for the at the VA property near Westwood. This proposal was met with opposition organized through the Save Hazard Park Association, which called the action "Robin Hoodism in reverse", since parkland in a poor Latino community would be exchanged for parkland in wealthier West Los Angeles. In 1966, the City Parks Commission voted in favor of the exchange, with general manager of the Recreation and Parks Department calling it a "good deal for the city". In the same year, Mayor Sam Yorty and the city council approved the exchange. The Association brought an injunction against the city, but it was denied in 1968. By 1969, Yorty ceded to the protest, asking the city council to repeal the plan. The Los Angeles Times said "the council and the mayor moved correctly, if belatedly", calling it a victory for the Association.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

In May 1970, a celebration occurred at the park to celebrate the dropping of the eminent domain suit. The celebration included local artist Leo Politi, who had painted murals at the park during the protests.^[6]

In 2000, supporters lobbied for the inclusion of an adjacent section of wetlands to be included in the park. The efforts were led by the Save Hazard Park Association, which renamed to Friends of Hazard Park and Hazard Park Wetlands.^[7]

External links

• Hazard Recreation Center at the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

Notes and References

1. News: Seats of Green: Grassy Steps Novel Scheme: Something Unique In Plans For Playground. 16 April 1911. Los Angeles Times. II14.
2. News: Victory for Save Hazard Park Assn.. 5 September 1969. Los Angeles Times. C6.
3. News: Hazard Park Swap Foes Stage Protest. 6 March 1967. Los Angeles Times. E7.
4. News: Land Exchange Between U.S. and City OKd. Hebert. Ray. 29 April 1966. Los Angeles Times. A8.
5. News: Judge Upholds City in Hazard Park Exchange: Injunction Denied to Association Fighting Trade for W.... 8 August 1968. Los Angeles Times.
6. News: Saving of Hazard Park to Be Noted With Activities. 15 May 1970. Los Angeles Times. F2.
7. News: Activists Maintain Guard Over Eastside's Hazard Park. Ramos. George. 13 September 2000. Los Angeles Times.