In the 1960’s, a 247-acre freight switching facility called Taylor Yard began to slow down it’s operations during a time when Los Angeles was growing and expanding rapidly.  By 1985 it was closed and only used for maintenance and storage.  These parcels of land remained undeveloped along the channelized Los Angeles River.  Portions of the river near this park are still soft bottomed, or partially un-cemented, allowing for an opportunity to reestablish natural processes within the emerging Los Angeles River Greenway.  It is one of the last remaining undeveloped portions of land along the river to be used by communities as a park. 

The history of the park reaches back to when Los Angeles was emerging as an industrial superpower.  In 1923, due to congestion at the River Station (currently Los Angeles State Historic Park), the service and maintenance functions for the Union Pacific Railroad company were moved to Taylor Yard.  Taylor Yard had been named after J. Hartley Taylor who was a grain merchant and owned a milling company in the area.  Throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s the property was a rail yard and an industrial site used primarily as a freight-switching facility, storage space and maintenance and repair facility for rail cars and locomotive engines.  Several utility shops were on the property, which provided electrical, plumbing and mechanical support services.  Shortly after World War I, the Southern Pacific Railroad outgrew its Midway Yard facility and moved to what is now Rio de Los Angeles State Park. Operations at the railroad complex slowed in the 1960’s when rail facilities opened elsewhere.

The park is located at 1900 San Fernando Road in Los Angeles.  The I-5, SR 2 and the 110 Pasadena Freeway are within 2 miles of the park. Buses service the area from downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley.   A bus stop is located at the intersection of San Fernando Rd. and Fletcher Ave. forming the hub of a number of routes connecting downtown Los Angeles, Glendale, Sylmar and El Monte.  The Metro Gold Line also provides light rail service, and the nearest station is located at Avenue 26 about 1.3 miles south of the park and at French Avenue, just off of Figueroa Street (French Station) approximately 1.3 miles southeast.

The Park’s trails and restrooms are fully accessible.

The park is operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.  For information on the facilities or programs their staff has scheduled call 323-276-3015.  In addition, free guided interpretive programs are offered by California State Parks staff.  Call 310-558-4566 x102 for information on California State Park programs.

Become part of our Volunteers in Parks program to help protect and preserve your heritage!  We are seeking volunteers to assist with interpretive programs, special events and other special projects.  We invite you to share your special talents, passion and enthusiasm.  Being a volunteer, you work with State Parks Rangers and Park Staff, participate in outstanding learning opportunities, and volunteer experience helps you when applying for all types of employment.  Contact the Park Interpreter at 310-558-4566 x102 or email lastateparkvolunteers@yahoo.com.

If you would like to perform commercial or student filming or photography at the park, you need to contact the State Park film permit coordinator at 818-880-0358.

If you would like to hold an event at the park, please contact the special event coordinator at 310-574-2488 or email laspecialevents@parks.ca.gov for permitting requirements and fees.