Large Neighborhood Park

Large neighborhood parks are designed to serve a slightly broader group of residents than neighborhood parks. These parks typically offer basic amenities like play structures for children, benches, open grassy areas, sports courts, a field, and a loop trail, providing convenient opportunities for passive recreation, relaxation, and informal community interaction. They may also include unique landscape features.

Typical Size

3–10

Typical Length of Visit (Hours)

1–2

Typical Access

Large neighborhood parks should be accessible by sidewalks, the city’s bicycle network, and major streets. While still connected to surrounding neighborhoods, they may also have on-site parking.
A small outdoor fitness area is shown in a grassy park. There are several pieces of exercise equipment mounted on a circular dirt patch, all shaded by large, gray umbrella-like structures. The area is surrounded by green grass, trees, and tall palm trees. In the background, a residential area and cars are visible.
Evergreen Recreation Center is a large neighborhood park in Boyle Heights.
María Lamadrid, 2025.

Typical Amenities

Universal Elements
Intensive Use Areas
Programmable Gathering Areas
Recreation Areas
Casual Use Areas
Natural Systems
Infrastructure

Typical Architectural Elements

Small Elements
 (<1,000 SF)
Medium Elements
 1,000 - 6,000 SF
Large Elements
 >6,000 SF

Guidelines for Large Neighborhood Park

Zones
Natural Systems
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Zones
Recreation Areas
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Zones
Casual Use Areas
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Zones
Programmable Gathering Areas
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Wayfinding
Gateways (Primary and Secondary)
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Wayfinding
Gateways (Primary and Secondary)
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Wayfinding
Gateways (Primary and Secondary)
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Wayfinding
Gateways (Primary and Secondary)
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Infrastructure
On-Site Parking
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Infrastructure
Accessible Parking and Drop-Off
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Infrastructure
Bike Parking
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Infrastructure
Comfort Facilities
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Infrastructure
Shared Parking
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Infrastructure
Safe Crossings
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Wayfinding
Universal Wayfinding Signage
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Infrastructure
Safe Crossings
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K-12Programmable gathering is
near support facilities and easy to access from primary gatewaysSeating is abundant and variedStormwater capture is integrated into natural areasAccessible corridor to local school
Context
Streetscape Enhancements
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Connectivity
Loop Trail
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Connectivity
Internal Walking Trail
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Connectivity
Street Grid Connectivity
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Connectivity
Safe Routes / Passages
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Design

System Wide Language
Design Vocabulary
Cohesive Site Layout
Park Core
Indoor-Outdoor Connections
Native Planting Variety
Park User Equity
Cultural & Historic Features
Water Conservation
Fire Risk Reduction

Context

Park Supportive Uses
Building Frontage
County and Regional Park Connectivity
Public Property / Institutional
Streetscape Enhancements

Connectivity

Street Grid Connectivity
Seamless Public Space
Trail Mode Separation
Loop Trail
Internal Walking Trail
Trail Connection
Safe Routes / Passages

Wayfinding

Universal Wayfinding Signage
Path Hierarchy
Gateways (Primary and Secondary)

Infrastructure

Bike Parking
Transit Stop
Shared Parking
On-Site Parking
Safe Crossings
Comfort Facilities
Maintenance Facilities
Accessible Parking and Drop-Off
Regional Water Partnerships

Zones

Universal Elements
Intensive Use Areas
Programmable Gathering Areas
Recreation Areas
Casual Use Areas
Natural Systems

Architectural Elements

Programming
Integration with the Landscape
Design Excellence
Material Strategies
Environmental Sustainability
Accessibility and Equity

Guidelines for Large Neighborhood Park - Architecture

Architectural Recipe

(2-3) Small Elements + (1-2) Medium Elements OR (1) Large Element

Sample Outcomes

(2) Small + (1) Medium
(3) Small
A 3D rendering of proposed park amenities: a wooden building, a curved, green tiered amphitheater with seating, and a covered stage area.
(2) Medium
A 3D rendering of a large, pale pink building complex next to two blue tennis courts with nets, surrounded by figures on a white base.
(1) Large
A 3D rendering of proposed park amenities: a wooden building, a curved, green tiered amphitheater with seating, and a covered stage area.A 3D rendering of a large, pale pink building complex next to two blue tennis courts with nets, surrounded by figures on a white base.

All Large Neighborhood Parks

Rank Prioritization Tier Park Size (Acres) Classification Region Composite Score
63 2 Lou Costello Jr Recreation Center 3.46 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.744
68 2 Pecan Recreation Center 4.28 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.734
75 2 Normandie Recreation Center 3.27 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.732
112 2 Boyle Heights Sports Center 8.51 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.685
120 2 Augustus F Hawkins Natural Park 8.12 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.667
129 2 David M Gonzales Recreation Center 6.80 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.660
135 2 Monsignor Ramon Garcia Recreation Center 6.49 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.653
139 2 Martin Luther King Jr Park 6.53 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.647
157 2 Evergreen Recreation Center 6.66 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.622
160 2 LAPD SWAT Officer Randal D Simmons Park 8.08 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.616
166 2 Runnymede Park 5.93 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.614
169 2 Culver-Slauson Park 3.27 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.604
176 3 James Slauson Recreation Center 3.63 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.593
177 3 Victory-Vineland Recreation Center 6.48 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.592
178 3 Vermont Square Park 3.01 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.592
179 3 Saint Andrews Recreation Center 8.58 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.591
185 3 Ralph C Daniels Field Sports Center 3.59 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.589
186 3 Shatto Recreation Center 5.45 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.586
188 3 West Lakeside Street Park 6.16 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.584
189 3 Mount Carmel Recreation Center 3.41 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.583
199 3 Van Ness Recreation Center 7.81 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.574
200 3 Delano Recreation Center 4.45 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.572
202 3 Van Nuys Recreation Center 3.89 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.572
204 3 109th Street Recreation Center 3.17 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.571
207 3 Lafayette Recreation Center 9.72 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.570
227 3 South LA Wetlands Park 9.01 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.545
229 3 Jaime Beth Slavin Park 6.95 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.543
243 3 Devonwood Park 4.84 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.528
257 3 Panorama City Recreation Center 6.00 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.512
270 3 Green Meadows Recreation Center 7.64 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.500
275 3 Hollywood Recreation Center 3.12 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.494
280 3 Tarzana Recreation Center 5.57 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.479
288 3 Howard Finn Park 3.66 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.471
290 3 Lemon Grove Recreation Center 3.87 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.469
305 3 Hubert H Humphrey Memorial Park 9.99 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.453
307 3 Cypress Recreation Center 3.49 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.452
308 3 Woodbridge Park 4.71 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.450
310 3 Bellevue Recreation Center 9.11 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.448
311 3 John Quimby Park 3.82 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.447
312 3 Louise Park 6.48 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.446
318 3 Oro Vista Park 8.23 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.437
320 3 Kagel Canyon Park 3.46 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.436
332 3 Fernangeles Recreation Center 9.26 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.427
337 3 Seoul International Park 3.47 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.416
340 3 Harbor Highlands Park 3.24 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.413
345 4 North Hills Community Park 3.89 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.398
354 4 Guardia Park 3.08 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.389
356 4 Wilmington Recreation Center 7.31 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.387
374 4 Valley Glen Community Park 5.70 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.370
376 4 Wilbur-Tampa Park 7.29 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.369
381 4 Highland Park Senior Citizen Center 3.81 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.351
383 4 Norman O Houston Park 9.50 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.351
388 4 Normandale Recreation Center 8.32 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.339
396 4 Holmby Park 8.52 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.330
409 4 Silver Lake Meadows Park 3.45 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.322
410 4 Buena Vista Park 8.71 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.322
430 4 Dearborn Park 9.12 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.291
432 4 Silver Lake Recreation Center 3.93 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.289
436 4 Sean Brown Park 5.97 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.280
439 4 Highland Park Recreation Center 5.41 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.275
447 4 Bill Rosendahl Del Rey Park 4.82 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.265
452 4 Queen Anne Recreation Center 5.23 Large Neighborhood Park South
0.255
468 4 Garvanza Park 5.59 Large Neighborhood Park East/Central
0.233
475 4 Zelzah Park 9.74 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.218
478 5 Oakwood Recreation Center 3.63 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.200
479 5 Studio City Recreation Center 8.46 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.199
483 5 Stoner Recreation Center 8.66 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.193
484 5 Moorpark Park 3.22 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.192
485 5 Palms Recreation Center 4.81 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.192
490 5 Castle Peak Park 3.09 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.176
491 5 Encino Park 5.27 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.174
501 5 Poinsettia Recreation Center 6.29 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.147
504 5 Lazy J Ranch Park 8.43 Large Neighborhood Park North
0.133
505 5 Barrington Recreation Center 4.91 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.123
510 5 Rustic Canyon Recreation Center 8.95 Large Neighborhood Park West
0.109
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