Cornfields

> > > >

Credit: Rich Reid Photography

It's called "the cornfield" because crops grew there in the 19th century. More recently, this 32-acre property on the edge of LA's downtown and Chinatown was an abandoned railyard slated for a one-million-square-foot industrial development. But many residents thought the land should become a state park--and with good reason. Local children play on blacktop school yards, and there are no public ball fields nearby.

TPL stepped in, negotiated with the developer, purchased the land in late 2001 using an appropriation from the California Legislature, and managed cleanup of the site. Served by a new transit station, the park will be accessible to millions of low-income families.

Visit

There are several routes into the park’s main entrance at 1245 North Spring Street. If you have access to the Metro Rail, the park is less than a block away from the Chinatown Station on the gold line. If you are traveling northbound or southbound on the 101F, exit Alameda Street, turn right at the off ramp and Alameda turns into North Spring Street. The park will be on your left. If you are traveling on the I-5 Freeway, exit Broadway, go west and stay in left lane. When Broadway splits in two directions, take North Spring Street to the left.

MAP