What if a park was more than just green space? Lanark Park is that place. This park located in Canoga Park, Los Angeles, is not just a spot for recreation. It is a place with a past.
Lanark Park was once named Orcutt Park. It stands at 21816 Lanark Street and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. It offers a range of activities. The park includes lighted baseball and unlighted baseball diamonds. There are also indoor and outdoor basketball courts. A children’s play area provides space for kids. Lanark Park has a lighted football field. An indoor gymnasium offers space for fitness. Visitors can use picnic tables for outdoor dining. There are lighted soccer and volleyball courts. An auditorium provides space for events. It even serves as a Los Angeles Police Department drop-in site.
Lanark Pool is a seasonal pool on the Lanark Park site. It is unheated and open during warmer months.
Canoga Park itself has a rich history. Originally named Owensmouth, it was founded in 1912. General H.G. Otis, owner of the Los Angeles Times, believed it was the closest town to the Owens River Aqueduct outlet. The Janz Corporation founded Owensmouth on March 30, 1912.
Sherman Way was Owensmouth’s main street. It featured tracks for the Pacific Electric Railway. This railway connected Owensmouth to Van Nuys and Los Angeles. Owensmouth was an agricultural community.
In 1917, Owensmouth was annexed to Los Angeles. The town needed a water supply. Los Angeles could provide that. In 1930, Owensmouth was renamed Canoga Park.
The 1950s brought changes to Lanark Park’s location. Orcutt Park Clubhouse opened. The Guadalupe Youth Center was dedicated. In 1955, Rocketdyne arrived in Canoga Park. This brought new residents to the area. Rocketdyne built rocket engines for the Space Shuttle here.
In the late 1950s, Sherman Way was widened. The tracks and Red Cars were removed. This made way for more traffic. The 1960s saw the construction of Topanga Plaza and Fallbrook Mall. Stores along Sherman Way transformed into antique shops. The area became known as Antique Row.
Even with challenges like floods and earthquakes, the community of Canoga Park continued to grow. In 1988, the west side of Canoga Park became West Hills. After the 1994 earthquake, downtown Canoga Park saw improvements.
Today, Lanark Park offers sports and fitness programs. These include basketball, martial arts, and tennis. There is also flag football and soccer. Other programs are track and field, baseball, softball, and volleyball. Fitness exercise, frisbee sports, archery, and cheer are available.
The park hosts cultural programs too. There are preschool and afterschool programs.
Lanark Park is more than just a park. It is a place where community thrives. It provides leisure and sports, a slice of Los Angeles history and a place for everyone.