Jeon Young-woong | SBS International
VALLEY GLEN, CA — A small, abandoned patch of land near a North Hollywood freeway has since become a green neighborhood sanctuary for Angelenos.
Since 2022 when the city christened the now-lush field in Valley Glen “Rhodes Avenue Park,” local officials have introduced smart irrigation, new turf with grading, at least 45 trees, a walking path, a hydration station and fitness amenities — to the delight of the local community.
In this special, in-language SBS News segment (with auto-translated captions available in many languages, including English), anchor Jeon Young-woong interviewers locals who the park has helped regain health and happiness often neglected in the hustle and bustle of city life.
“I exercise here, breathe in the fresh air, enjoy the sunshine,” says Valley Glen resident Aaron Samwise in the video. “It’s a place I just can’t stay away from. Sometimes, when I see squirrels, I feed them—it’s all very heartwarming.”
“Our kids really love this park. Feeding peanuts to squirrels is fun for them, and as a family we enjoy the walk home from school together,” adds local Chloe Nguyen.
The park has also earned the devotion of local youth organization Hwarang Youth Foundation, which has planted and regularly cared for new trees in Rhodes Avenue Park in the wake of the LA wildfires last January.
“A lot of trees were lost,” says student and Hwarang member Yena Lee. “It feels great to plant new trees and help the environment begin again.”
“By planting a single tree, our Hwarang students grow alongside it,” adds Hwarang president Yoonsook Park. “As they nurture the tree, they also deepen their love and care for the community.”
This story was produced by American Community Media in collaboration with the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies (LENS) at UCLA as part of the Greening American Cities initiative supported by the Bezos Earth Fund. Read more stories like this by visiting the Greening Communities homepage.
