Lafayette Park | Los Angeles Conservancy
Photo courtesy of Flickr/Dan Reed

Lafayette Park

In 1895, Clara Shatto donated thirty-five acres of oil wells and tar seeps to the city. Though quite undesirable at first, over time the land evolved into Sunset Park, an attractive retreat.

The park's name was changed after World War I to honor French-American friendship and to commemorate the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette.

The Felipe de Neve branch library, which opened in the park in 1929, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is locally designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

Postcard collection of Los Angeles Conservancy

Griffith Park

Griffith Park is the heart and soul of Los Angeles and in 2009 was designated as an Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM) to recognize its significance and ensure its long-term preservation.
Photo courtesy Calvin Fleming on Flickr

MacArthur Park

This park near downtown went from a mudhole, to a tony recreation spot, to a vibrant place of music, art, and community.