South Los Angeles Wetlands Park

South Los Angeles Wetlands Park is a 9-acre urban oasis located in the South Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Opened in 2012, this park represents a remarkable transformation of a former bus and rail yard into a functional wetland ecosystem and community green space.

The park features a constructed wetland system that captures and treats urban stormwater runoff from a 525-acre watershed. This innovative water treatment system can process up to 14,000 gallons of stormwater, helping to improve water quality in the Los Angeles River watershed.

The wetland area comprises 4.5 acres of the park and includes three distinct habitats: marsh, riparian, and upland. These areas are home to various plant species selected to withstand both flooding and drought conditions. The remaining 4.5 acres of the park consist of upland habitat, providing a diverse ecosystem within an urban setting.

For visitors, the park offers a 0.5-mile recreation trail made of decomposed granite, which winds along the filtration ponds. This trail provides opportunities for jogging, walking, and observing the park's natural features. The park also includes educational signage that teaches visitors about the different planting zones and how water moves through and is cleaned by the site.

The South Los Angeles Wetlands Park serves as an important green space in a densely populated area of Los Angeles that has historically had limited access to parks. Its creation increased the average park acreage per 1,000 residents in the Southeast Los Angeles - North area from 0.54 acres to 0.6 acres, an 11% increase.

The park not only provides ecological benefits but also serves as a community gathering space. It includes areas for picnicking and nature observation, making it a valuable resource for local residents and schools.