Hazard Park

What if I told you Hazard Park almost became a hospital? This park, right here, has a fascinating history. Hazard Park spans 26.5 acres in Boyle Heights. It’s named after Henry T. Hazard, Los Angeles’ 20th mayor. It’s bordered by the County-USC Medical Center and Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School. Hazard Park opened in 1911. It boasted a 2000-seat grandstand and impressive playgrounds for boys and girls. But its story takes a dramatic turn in 1962. The Veterans Administration proposed building a 1000-bed hospital right here, replacing Hazard Park. They offered to exchange 16.5 acres of Hazard Park for 21.8 acres of VA land near Westwood. This sparked outrage in the community. A group formed, the Save Hazard Park Association. They argued this land swap was unfair. It would take parkland from a low-income Latino community and give it to a wealthier area. Despite community protests, Mayor Sam Yorty and the city council initially approved the exchange in 1966. The Association filed an injunction, but it was denied in 1968. The fight continued. By 1969, the mayor reversed his decision. He asked the council to repeal the plan. The Los Angeles Times lauded this as a victory for the community. The park was saved. In 1970, a celebration marked the end of the legal battle. Local artist Leo Politi, who had painted murals in the park during the protests, joined the festivities. The fight for Hazard Park continued into the 2000s. The Save Hazard Park Association, now Friends of Hazard Park and Hazard Park Wetlands, successfully lobbied to add a 2-acre wetlands area to the park. Hazard Park stands as a testament to the power of community activism.