Elysian Park, Nature reserve and park in Los Angeles County, US
Elysian Park is a large nature reserve and park in Los Angeles County, made up of wooded hills, trails, open picnic areas, and viewpoints. The southern portion of the park is home to Dodger Stadium, a major baseball venue that also hosts concerts and public events.
Elysian Park was created by city ordinance on April 5, 1886, sponsored by city engineer George Hansen. The land, then considered "worthless", was part of the original Spanish land grant for the Pueblo of Los Angeles and sat unimproved for some time before roads, trails and landscaping were added. Parts of the park were later swapped for other lands held by the Los Angeles Dodgers when Dodger Stadium was built.
Angels Point is a small hill in Elysian Park overlooking Dodger Stadium and the Downtown Los Angeles skyline. Atop the hill stands a large metal sculpture by Los Angeles artist Peter Shire, a member of the 1980s Memphis Group. The hill is named for the view it gives over the city below.
The park sits close to Downtown LA, Hollywood, and Echo Park, making it easy to pair with a broader visit to the city. Some trails run through steeper or less maintained sections, so sturdy shoes and a quick look at a trail map before setting out are a good idea.
Inside the park, there is a reservoir that now sits mostly empty and looks more like a dry hollow than a body of water. The trail known as the 5 Freeway Hike runs along the park's ridge high above the freeway, offering an unusual overhead view of moving traffic and surrounding neighborhoods.
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