Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
- Nature & parks
- In Los Angeles, California
- 4.7 mi from Route 66
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is a large park in the Baldwin Hills of Los Angeles, CA, about 3.6 miles off the old road. Opened in 1984, it covers 401 acres on land that once held the Baldwin Hills Reservoir. Some people call it the Central Park of Los Angeles. For Route 66 travelers, it is a rare stretch of open space in the middle of the city, good for a picnic or a walk.
What is Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area?
The park is part of California's state park system, but the county parks department manages it day to day. At 401 acres it ranks among the biggest city parks anywhere in the region, which is how it earned its nickname as the city's Central Park.
Its broad lawns have long drawn families from the surrounding neighborhoods for weekend picnics and barbecues.
History of Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
The land has a dramatic past. It was once the site of the Baldwin Hills Reservoir, which gave way in 1963 in what became known as the Baldwin Hills Dam disaster. Two decades later the site took on a very different role, and the park opened in 1984.
In 1988, a Los Angeles Times piece observed that many people across Southern California had never heard of the park, even though nearby residents knew it well and used it every weekend.
Visiting Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area: tips
The park is about 3.6 miles from the old road. Parking and restrooms are on site, the park is wheelchair accessible, and it works well for a family stop with children. An hour is enough for a stroll; allow longer for a picnic.
The Wende Museum is about 1.6 miles away in Culver City. The Museum of Jurassic Technology and the Bhagavad-gita Museum, next door to each other, are both about 2.1 to 2.2 miles off, which makes an easy afternoon of park and museums.
Practical info
- Address
- 4100 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90056
- Phone
- +1 323-298-3660
- Website
- parks.ca.gov
- Hours
- Wed–Sun 6 am–8 pm
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
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3.7 mi from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
3.7 mi from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
3.7 mi from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Questions about Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Why is Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area called L.A.'s Central Park?
It covers 401 acres in the Baldwin Hills, which puts it among the biggest city parks and open spaces around Los Angeles.
What was on the site before the park?
A reservoir. The Baldwin Hills Reservoir broke in 1963, in the event remembered as the Baldwin Hills Dam disaster. The park opened in 1984.
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