Alvarado Terrace Park

Historic Origins

Originally known as Summerland Park, it was established in 1904 after the City of Los Angeles purchased the land. The park was renamed Terrace Park shortly after its creation.

In its early days, the park featured a fish pond, rose beds, and employed a full-time gardener to tend to the flowers. However, the park has since been remodeled to include only grass and trees.

Location and Setting

Alvarado Terrace Park is a small urban park located in the historic Pico-Union district, southwest of Downtown Los Angeles, between Pico Boulevard and Alvarado Street.

The park serves as a visual centerpiece and communal space for the surrounding Alvarado Terrace Historic District. It comprises two wedges of green space intersected by concrete paths, providing a pleasant area for relaxation and recreation in the urban environment.

Notable Features

A unique feature of the park is Powers Place, a small brick-paved street at the north end of the park. At just 25 feet in length, it holds the distinction of being the shortest street in Los Angeles.

Both the park and Powers Place were designated as Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #210 in February 1979.

Modern Amenities

In recent years, the park has been enhanced with the addition of a custom-designed playground. The playground equipment was created to mimic the look and feel of the historic architecture in the surrounding Alvarado Heights neighborhood.

The playground features elements that resemble house facades with realistic details like wood shingles and brick siding.