How about a tranquil escape right here? You are now at San Rafael Park. It is a small neighborhood park at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Melrose Avenue.
San Rafael Park is modest. It occupies just 0.90 acres. But it is packed with features. These include benches, a grassy area and playground equipment. There are also picnic facilities and a drinking fountain.
Imagine this park as a small green lung. It provides fresh air and relaxation. San Rafael Park offers a simple retreat from city life.
Did you know that San Rafael Park wasn’t always just a park? To truly understand its story we need to travel back in time. We go back to the era of Rancho San Rafael. This vast land grant shaped much of the area around us.
In 1784 Jose Maria Verdugo received a provisional grant for Rancho San Rafael. He was a corporal in the Spanish army. Governor Pedro Fages gave him this honor. The grant was confirmed in 1798.
Rancho San Rafael spanned over 36,000 acres. It included present-day Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles. It was a huge area.
Verdugo retired from the army in 1798. He became a full-time rancher. He developed the land. He raised cattle. He grew crops.
The rancho’s boundaries were defined by natural landmarks. The Verdugo Mountains marked the west. The Arroyo Seco defined the east. The Los Angeles River bordered the south.
After the Mexican-American War, California became part of the United States. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ensured land grants would be honored. The Verdugo family had to prove their claim.
The Land Act of 1851 required them to file a claim. The Public Land Commission confirmed it in 1855. The grant was patented to Julio and Catalina Verdugo in 1882.
Over time the rancho was divided and sold. In 1857 Jonathan R. Scott traded Rancho La Cañada. He swapped it with Julio and Catalina Verdugo. They got 4,607 acres on the west side of Rancho San Rafael. This area is today’s Burbank.
In 1861 Julio and Catalina split the rancho. Julio took the southern portion. Catalina got the northern part.
Today San Rafael Park stands as a reminder. It is a small part of this rich history. It represents community. It provides a place for relaxation.
In 1995 improvements began. A shade arbor was built. A wrought iron fence was added. The drinking fountain was moved. New benches were installed. A concrete seat-wall was constructed. The play area was modified. It was upgraded for ADA compliance. Two picnic tables were added. These enhancements were completed by 2000. The project cost $47,000.
San Rafael Park continues to serve the community. It is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Free Wi-Fi is coming soon.
You can even reserve areas. The open grass areas and picnic spots can be booked. Residents get a discount.
As you leave San Rafael Park remember its layered past. From a vast rancho to a cozy park. It is a place for everyone to enjoy.