Trash to Treasure: New Park Set to Redefine Open Space in the San Gabriel Valley

Puente Hills Landfill Park, opening in 2027, will transform a former landfill into a regional park with trails, scenic vistas, and various amenities, addressing environmental justice and providing much-needed green space for the San Gabriel Valley.

2 minute read

November 25, 2024, 10:00 AM PST

By Clement Lau


Bird's eye schematic of Puente Hills Landfill Park redevelopment project.

Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation / Puente Hills Landfill Park

Puente Hills Landfill Park, slated to open in 2027, will transform a former 1,300-acre landfill—the second largest in the U.S.—into Los Angeles County's newest regional park, offering 140 acres of trails, scenic vistas, and green space for a community historically impacted by industrial contamination and limited access to open space. As reported by Chris Greenspon and Joe Linton, the project reflects decades of planning and community input, addressing environmental justice while creating a sustainable recreational hub. The park will feature key areas such as the 40-acre Western Deck with playgrounds, gardens, and an ADA-accessible "Skywalk," along with an Environmental Justice Center housing classrooms, exhibits, and advocacy resources.

The park design balances the site's unique topography and environmental challenges, including methane off-gassing from the landfill, which closed in 2013 after storing 150 million tons of waste. Vegetated terraces and capped soil layers ensure safety while providing a foundation for trails, oak groves, and wildlife habitats. The initial construction phases, beginning in 2025, will focus on creating the Environmental Justice Center, entry plaza, and the Western Deck, while future phases will expand into the Eastern and Southern Decks, offering additional nature trails, a bird observation outlook, and native plant nurseries. 

Nike Hill, the landfill's peak, already offers panoramic views and serves as a popular hiking destination, showcasing the site's transformation potential. Accessible via the Schabarum-Skyline Trail, the hill is part of an existing 29-mile trail network that links to surrounding parks. The new park aims to enhance multimodal access, including bike lanes and transit connections, while delivering much-needed green space to underserved communities in the San Gabriel Valley. The Puente Hills Landfill Park exemplifies how urban planning and community engagement can turn industrial landscapes into vibrant, inclusive recreational spaces.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 in Streetsblog LA

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person stepping over hole in sidewalk.

Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan

The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.

May 12 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

6-story building at Honolulu Community College.

Expanding Access to Design Education at Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technologies program highlights the role of community colleges in preparing nontraditional students for careers in architectural and construction technologies.

May 12 - University of Hawai'i News

"Radiation Zone, Keep Out" sign on wood post with red Arizona desert mesa in background

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions

Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.

May 12 - Cambridge University Press

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.