The City Project Celebrates Earth Day and Justice 2009!

CHICANO PARK

Chicano Park was founded on April 22, 1970 — the same day as the first Earth Day — when the community of Barrio Logan joined activists to protest the construction of a Highway Patrol station on the present site of the 8 acre park. The community had already been degraded by the demolition of hundreds of homes to make way for Interstate 5, toxic industries and junkyards, and the lack of community facilities, good schools, jobs, and medical or social services. The park was designated an official historic site by the San Diego Historical Site Board in 1980, and its murals were officially recognized as public art by the San Diego Public Advisory Board in 1987. There is currently a movement to have the park listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

RIO DE LOS ANGELES STATE PARK

The community stopped a commercial development in favor of creating the Rio de Los Angeles State Historic Park, which opened on Earth Day weekend in April 2007. The Park is a best practice example of a balanced park with active and passive recreation that serves the needs of the community as defined by the community.

The children of the Anahuak Youth Sports Association celebrated the first anniversary of the park by planting trees and kicking off the new soccer season on Earth Day 2008.

VISTA HERMOSA PARK

The ground breaking for Vista Hermosa Nature Park adjoining the Edward R. Roybal High School in Pico Union, one of the most park-starved communities in California, took place on Earth Day 2008. The Park was developed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in a joint use partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the City of Los Angeles as a model for urban revitalization. It is the first park built in the area in over 100 years and is a best practice example of the joint use of parks and schools.

Learn more about the Urban Parks Movement.

PANHE EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Earth Day 2009 Celebration at Panhe, April 19, 2009.
Panhe is a 9,000-year-old village of the Acjachemen and Juaneño Indian people. The sacred site is used today for religious and cultural activities.

Learn more about the struggle to Save Panhe and Save San Onofre!