Dreams of open space once danced here but faded. This is the story of Clara Park and what could have been.
Koreatown needed a park. It needed a place for respite from the concrete. Imagine a space with a community garden a walking loop and a splash pad. The state even allocated $5 million for it.
But the park never materialized.
Luxury apartments now stand where Clara Park was envisioned. These apartments boast a dog wash yoga room and spa. No public park bench exists for the community.
What went wrong with Clara Park?
In 2011, the Community Redevelopment Agency planned to buy half the land. Don Hankey would develop the other half into apartments and retail. Then Governor Jerry Brown dissolved the redevelopment agencies.
Other neighborhoods found ways to proceed with park projects. Koreatown’s park plan fizzled.
The area has less than 0.07 acres of park space per 1000 residents. This is significantly below the minimum standard. It is a space too small to fit a coffin.
Investor Don Hankey saw the park as a win-win. He envisioned a restaurant next to the park. The city approved the plan but then the redevelopment agency ended.
The city could not secure the land within the grace period. The city deemed the price too high.
Some blame bad timing and the recession. Others feel that local leaders could have fought harder.
Community activist Danny Park laments the missed opportunity for Clara Park. He notes the critical need for green space in a neighborhood of apartments.
UCLA professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris says the failure reflects a power imbalance. Residents lacked the voice to demand the park.
A high school freshman named Samantha Reyes walks a mile to the nearest park. It is overcrowded. She sometimes plays soccer in the street.
Real estate prices in Koreatown soared. The land now costs almost double.
Today apartments occupy the site. They have a courtyard with flower beds and trees. This space is only for residents.
The story of Clara Park is a story of lost potential. It highlights the challenges of creating public space in a dense urban environment. Though this specific park withered other Clara Parks arose.
For example Clara Park Village Apartments offers affordable housing for low income seniors in Cudahy. It provides comfort and independence.
Also we have Clara Park, who is a Financial Professional at Prudential in Los Angeles. During the day, she helps her clients build and protect their wealth and legacy through retirement and insurance planning.