New 0.5-Acre Senator Bill Greene Memorial Park Nears Completion In South LA

• Construction is nearing completion on Senator Bill Greene Memorial Park, a new half-acre public park at 5800 S. Figueroa Street in South Los Angeles.
• The park replaces a vacant Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) property that sat unused for more than 60 years after the former Figueroa Pump Station was demolished.
• The project will add public seating, fitness equipment, landscaping, educational displays, and direct access to Metro's Rail to Rail active transportation corridor.

What the New Park Will Bring to South Los Angeles

A long-vacant corner in South Los Angeles is being transformed into a new community gathering space. Construction is well underway on Senator Bill Greene Memorial Park, located at 5800 S. Figueroa Street at the northeast corner of Figueroa Street and Slauson Avenue. The half-acre park occupies land once home to the LADWP's Figueroa Pump Station, which was demolished in 1959. After sitting vacant for more than six decades, the property is finally being redeveloped into a neighborhood amenity honoring former California State Senator and civil rights leader Bill Greene, who represented South Los Angeles for 25 years.

What Residents Can Expect From the Park

The park is designed as a modern urban open space with an emphasis on accessibility and sustainability. Current construction includes concrete walkways, decorative paving, decomposed granite, and newly installed landscaping. Once complete, visitors will have access to public restrooms, benches, outdoor fitness equipment, shaded seating areas, and educational signage highlighting water conservation, native plants, and stormwater capture. While the design focuses heavily on hardscape elements, the project also incorporates landscaped areas intended to improve the streetscape.

What Community Feedback Has Focused On

Although construction has progressed steadily, some nearby residents have expressed concerns about the amount of greenery included in the design. Community members circulated a petition requesting additional trees and green space, saying they would like the park to provide more shade and open lawn areas. The feedback reflects a broader conversation about the importance of accessible green spaces in underserved neighborhoods, particularly in communities that have historically had fewer public parks than other parts of Los Angeles.

What the Location Means for the Neighborhood

The park's location provides another benefit beyond new recreational space. It sits directly alongside Metro's Rail to Rail Active Transportation Corridor, a 5.5-mile bike and pedestrian path that converted a former freight rail line into a landscaped transportation route connecting several South Los Angeles neighborhoods. Together, the new park and the Rail to Rail corridor are expected to improve walkability, encourage outdoor recreation, and create a more inviting public space along one of South Los Angeles' busiest intersections.