O'Melveny Park
Entrance
TypeUrban park-Regional park-Nature reserve
Location17300 Sesnon Boulevard
Granada Hills, CA 91344
Coordinates34°19′N 118°31′W / 34.31°N 118.52°W / 34.31; -118.52 (O'Melveny Park)
Area672 acres (272 ha)
Created1973
Operated byLos Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks
StatusOpen all year
Websitelaparks.org/park/omelveny

O'Melveny Park is a public park located in the Santa Susana Mountains, in the Granada Hills community of the northern San Fernando Valley, in the northernmost portion of the City of Los Angeles, California.

History

The park is named after Henry W. O'Melveny, who founded one of Los Angeles' oldest law firms, O'Melveny & Myers, which represented many early Los Angeles founder and developer families, and in 1927 was one of the original members of the California State Parks Commission.[1][2]

The land was purchased in 1941 by attorney John O'Melveny, son of Henry W. O'Melveny, and was originally named C. J. Ranch before it was later acquired by The Trust for Public Land and turned into a park.[3] The ranch was used for growing citrus fruit, grazing cattle, and raising bulldogs. In the early 1970's John O'Melveny arranged for his wife Corinne O'Melveny's estate to sell her half interest in the property to the City at below market price while he donated his half interest to the City outright. In 1976, O'Melveny arranged for the land to be deeded to the city for a park.[2]

The installation of commemorative plaques in honor of the O'Melvenys was approved with support of the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council in July 2008 by the Board of Recreation and Park Comissioners; they were installed near the park caretaker's house and in front of a picnic area.[2]

Park

O'Melveny Park is the second largest public park in Los Angeles after Griffith Park. O'Melveny Park is managed by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

It provides large grassy areas, picnic tables, and is known for its hiking and horse trails and the views they lead to.[4] Near the entrance is a grove of citrus trees,[5] nearly all of which are Grapefruit.

A caretaker resides in a residence in the park.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Colby, William E.; Frederick Law Olmsted (April 1933). "Borrego Desert Park". Sierra Club Bulletin. XVIII: 144. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  2. 1 2 3 O'Melveny Park-Installation of Commemorative Plaques in Honor of Donor of 672 Acres of the Park, John O'Melveny (PDF). Board of Recreation an Park Comissioners. July 9, 2008.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ↑ Carl, Wilmsen (1998–1999). "Trust for Public Land Founding Member and President, 1972-1997: the Ethics and Practice of Land Conservation (interview with Martin J. Rosen)". University of California. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  4. ↑ "O'Melveny Park". Nickelodeon Parents Connect. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  5. ↑ Swanson Patrick, Deborah K. (May 2007). "The Quiet Majesty of O'Melveny Park". The Trust for Public Land. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Agenda, Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles" (PDF). City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.
  7. ↑ "O'Melveny Park Ban Leaves Track Clubs Benched" (PDF). ValleyVoice.
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