A $12.5 million state government grant has been approved to help transform a 142-acre abandoned landfill site into the first new park in Los Angeles County in thirty years.
The Wildlife Conservation Board approved the funding at its quarterly meeting on May 23 and announced the decision on June 22.
Located in the City of Industry, the Puente Hills Landfill is approximately 17 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department plans to transform a portion of it into a park. Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, representing the surrounding communities, spearheaded the transformation plan.
In May 2022, the county government allocated $28.25 million for the park and began the first phase of construction in January 2023. Solis announced on January 12, 2023, “The Puente Hills Landfill Park is finally becoming a reality!”
Solis stated that the first phase of construction is estimated to take four years to complete. When the park opens in 2027, it is expected to feature new park roads, multi-use trails, horticultural landscapes, visitor center, observation decks, park signage, public restrooms, and parking facilities.
“This project holds great significance for me,” she said. “As someone who grew up in La Puente, I look forward to seeing residents of Hacienda Heights and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley finally benefiting from the investment after decades of environmental injustice.”
The Puente Hills Landfill was once the second-largest landfill in the United States and permanently closed on October 31, 2013. The county permit for the landfill expired at the time, ending 56 years of service. During its operation, the landfill received trash from all over Los Angeles County, reaching a final height of over 500 feet.
Since the closure of the landfill, a large amount of waste has been left covered.
The county government plans to restore the site by establishing native plant communities and providing open space for residents of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.
Norma Garcia-Gonzales, Director of Parks and Recreation Department, stated in a press release on the 24th, “The Puente Hills Regional Park realizes a decades-long vision, transforming what was once a landfill and its 1.5 billion tons of waste into a public space, natural and wildlife habitat, and a place for healing, restoration, and regeneration.”
She added, “This native landscape and spectacular views will serve millions of residents in the greater Los Angeles area and benefit future generations.”
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the master plan for the park in 2016. The Parks and Recreation Department led an 18-month community engagement process, which included workshops and outreach presentations.
According to the county government, this master planning process garnered support from over 1,400 members of the public and received multiple letters of commendation from local cities and community organizations.