L.A.’s Grand Green

The Los Angeles area is often viewed as little more than snaking freeways, foreshortened strip malls and housing tracts — as if the only elements of the natural world that remain are the ocean that bathes the coast and the mountains that rim the northern and eastern borders of the basin. But the City of Los Angeles cares for 16,000 acres of parkland, 13 lakes and 92 miles of hiking trails. We asked April Sandifer, who concentrated on urban ecology in her graduate studies, to tell us about some of her favorite outdoor spaces.

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, near the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, is one of my favorite parks to visit on weekends. After making a quick cup of tea, I jump on my Roadster Classic, ride to the entrance and set off on the scenic trail. The winding path is filled with native plants and wildlife. The scent of white sage flows through the air, and I am delighted to see my favorite native plant, blue-eyed grass, in bloom. After enjoying the visual feast, I carefully make my way down the 282 uneven steps we locals call the “Culver City Stairs.”

Ballona Freshwater Marsh

The Ballona Freshwater Marsh is very near and dear to my heart. It was here that I truly became the bird nerd I am today. As a student, I worked with groups, including Friends of Ballona Wetlands and the LMU Center for Urban Resilience (CURes), to engage students in STEM education programs. The look of wonder in students’ eyes the first time they see a great blue heron fly out of the marsh and over their heads is awesome. The moment they begin to question why these birds are found here and not in their neighborhoods in transformational.

Del Rey Lagoon

Del Rey Lagoon in Playa Del Rey is the perfect place to hang out near the beach without having to trudge through sand. It’s a great place for families, with tons of picnic tables. The basketball court and baseball diamond are always packed. But those are not the only reasons to check out this park. In 2012 while I was a student working with the CURes, I installed tree swallow boxes to help monitor the biodiversity of the area. I came face to face with the family of brown geese that run the area. After a bit of negotiation, they deemed the project worthy. I still visit them, albeit from a safe distance.

Read: Nature Nurture

Marina Beach

Located in Marina Del Rey and known to locals as Mother’s Beach, this getaway is the perfect place for parents with young kids. Folks can enjoy wading in the lagoon, knock down a lovely cocktail at one of the many beachside pubs or learn how to windsurf — what more could you want in a beach? My first stand-up paddle boarding lesson took place here. The $5.58 million Marina Mother’s Beach Improvements Project, completed in November 2018, added a new restroom facility and picnic area. OK, this isn’t technically a park, but it’s a great piece of open space.

Compton Creek Natural Park

This park is nestled along the Compton Creek bike path in the City of Compton. Completed after extensive outreach and collaboration with local stakeholders, the park features plant communities found within the local watershed. Bioswales and a 127,000-gallon cistern help mitigate flooding in the area. With a multiuse amphitheater and community plaza, the park serves as a community meeting place. It’s also cool to watch cowboys on horseback as they gallop past.

Grand Park

When I need to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles, I pop over to Grand Park. Nicknamed “The Park for Everyone,” it’s located just across from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and provides an amazing view of City Hall. The park has four distinct areas, with amenities such as a community terrace that features a wading pool, drought-tolerant plants and multiple performance spaces.

April Sandifer ’10, M.S. ’15 is senior associate at the Urban Land Institute in Los Angeles. She earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and a master’s in environmental science in the LMU Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts.