South Los Angeles Wetlands Park

From Brownfield to Breathtaking

Found in the South Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, the South Los Angeles Wetlands Park is a 9-acre glimpse of nature that feels like a minor miracle in the urban landscape. Since opening in 2012, this park has transformed what was once a forgotten bus and rail yard into something truly special - a functioning wetland ecosystem right in the heart of the city.

The park features a wetland system that captures and cleans urban stormwater from a 525-acre watershed. This natural filtration system can handle up to 14,000 gallons of stormwater - doing its part to improve water quality throughout the Los Angeles River watershed.

A Tapestry of Ecosystems

Half the park (about 4.5 acres) is dedicated to wetlands featuring three distinct habitats: marsh, riparian, and upland areas. The plants here weren't chosen randomly - they're specially selected species that can tough it out through both flooding and drought conditions.

The other 4.5 acres consist of upland habitat, creating a surprisingly diverse ecosystem given its urban setting. You can spot various wildlife here - from ducks and turtles to rabbits and different bird species. Keep your eyes peeled for black-crowned night herons, snowy egrets, and if you're lucky in the fall or winter months, you might even spot American white pelicans taking a break here.

What You'll Find

The park features a 0.5-mile recreation trail made of decomposed granite that winds alongside the filtration ponds. If you're looking for a quick mile-long workout, just loop around twice. The flat terrain makes this path ideal for morning jogs, afternoon strolls, or even teaching little ones how to ride a bike.

Within the park, you'll discover educational signage explaining how the different planting zones work and the journey water takes as it's naturally cleaned by the wetlands. Several bridges cross over the wetland areas, offering perfect spots to pause and watch for wildlife.

The amenities are basic but functional - portable restrooms are available, and there are some picnic areas with cement benches scattered around the park. And yes, you can bring your four-legged friends, but remember to keep them leashed.

Far From Just a Park

For this densely populated area of Los Angeles, which has historically lacked green spaces, South LA Wetlands Park provides welcome relief. Its creation boosted the average park acreage per 1,000 residents in the Southeast Los Angeles - North area from 0.54 acres to 0.6 acres - an 11% increase.

The park is busiest during the morning hours (6-9 AM) and again in the evening (5-8 PM) when locals come to exercise, unwind, and enjoy the natural setting. It offers a peaceful retreat where families can gather amid the urban surroundings.

When to Visit

If you're wondering about timing, try coming around 4 PM when the wildlife is particularly active but before the sun sets. The park welcomes visitors daily from 6:30 AM to 11 PM, giving you plenty of opportunity to experience this urban wetland on your own schedule.