Glen Alla Park

Glen Alla Park. A place once simply defined by its location at the crossroads of Glencoe and Alla. It evolved into something much more. Glen Alla Park, now Bill Rosendahl Del Rey Park, holds a story interwoven with the history of Los Angeles. The name “Alla” itself echoes a time when duck hunters gathered at the Alla Gun Club near the Ballona Wetlands. This was around 1900, long before the park existed. The club’s hunting grounds lent their name to the Alla streetcar station, a bustling junction where the Inglewood and Redondo via Del Rey lines crossed. Imagine the electric streetcars humming along Culver Boulevard, right by the station. Improvements to the tracks were even made in 1929 to accommodate the growing city. The area wasn’t always easy living. In 1921, near the Alla station, 25 Mexican families found themselves marooned by floodwaters, their homes built on stilts amidst the rising tide. The park, initially just a geographical designation, became a place of recreation. It boasts basketball and tennis courts, a children’s play area, and even a dog park. But Glen Alla Park needed a name that resonated with its community, a name that told a story. Enter Bill Rosendahl, Los Angeles City Councilman from 2005 to 2013. Rosendahl, a champion for his community, left an undeniable mark on the area. He advocated for public transportation, championed the homeless and LGBTQ+ communities, and even ensured the respectful interment of Gabrielino-Tongva remains discovered during the Playa Vista reconstruction. He was instrumental in bringing play equipment to Glen Alla Park itself, a testament to his dedication to the neighborhood. After his passing in 2016, the call to rename the park in his honor was a natural progression. It was a fitting tribute to a man who tirelessly served his constituents. The renaming process wasn’t simple. There were discussions, proposals, and community meetings. The Del Rey Neighborhood Council weighed in, advocating for “Del Rey” to be included in the new name. Finally, in June 2017, Glen Alla Park officially became Bill Rosendahl Del Rey Park. It stands now as a memorial to a dedicated public servant and a reminder of the power of community involvement.