In Altadena, a Park’s Rebirth: Loma Alta Reopens Saturday

[Updated]   The fruits of a community mobilization that drew widespread attention and support will be harvested today when Loma Alta Park reopens with a day-long celebration, welcoming back Altadena residents despite earlier predictions that recovery from the Eaton Fire’s effects would take a year and a half. 

County officials, partnering with sports foundations and directing thousands of volunteers, managed to compact the recovery timeline to about 3 months, in the process creating an expanded community hub with new baseball fields, basketball courts,  Alta CHAT (a new community gathering area), a new computer and tech room, a new senior center and more.

The expedited restoration, financed primarily through $2.4 million from the January 30, 2025, Fire Aid benefit concert, represents one of the fastest public space recoveries in Los Angeles County history. 

More than 2,000 registered volunteers contributed weekends throughout April to restore the once-charred landscape. They arrived in waves, about 500 each Saturday, many coming from neighboring municipalities that were spared by the wildfires, bringing tools, expertise, and determination.

“It usually takes about 18 months to plan, design, and build a playground,” said Norma Edith García-Gonzalez, Director of Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation, during an announcement event in early March. “We’re getting it done in two months through partnerships that have exceeded our expectations.”

The expedited timeline, which she described as “ambitious but necessary,” was achieved through unprecedented coordination between county departments, sports foundations, and community organizations. This collaboration streamlined permitting processes and construction methodologies normally requiring multiple approval cycles.

The reimagined park will include expanded amenities designed to address specific community needs for the fire-ravaged town.

This restoration approach differed from traditional disaster recovery models that typically prioritize residential rebuilding before community spaces.

Two Dodgers Dreamfields, funded through the team’s charitable foundation, will provide baseball and softball facilities for youth programs displaced from other locations. The Los Angeles Clippers Foundation has financed comprehensive renovations to the gymnasium and basketball courts, creating new recreational opportunities.

“These fields will stand as a testament to the community’s resilience, providing a safe space for youth and their families as they continue to heal from the impacts of the Eaton Fire,” said Nichol Whiteman, Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. The foundation directed proceeds from Opening Day and World Series Ring Ceremony 50/50 raffles toward the Loma Alta project.

Before the extensive volunteer work could begin, however, significant professional remediation efforts were required to ensure public safety. This preparatory phase established the foundation for the community-driven restoration that would follow.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted debris removal and damaged infrastructure elimination throughout February, the agency reported. 

From early April, the park has transformed each weekend as hundreds gathered to participate in landscape restoration, tree planting, and public art creation.

Under expert guidance, they worked methodically across the grounds, section by section, converting charred earth to vibrant community space.

Beyond the physical rehabilitation of grounds and facilities, the reimagined Loma Alta Park will serve a deeper purpose for the fire-ravaged community. Public health researchers have identified such community spaces as crucial in post-disaster psychology, providing continuity and normalcy amid disruption.

Despite widespread support for the park’s reopening, the accelerated timeline has sparked debate within the Altadena community. This division reflects broader tensions documented in post-disaster recovery efforts throughout California.

Not all community members share the enthusiasm for the park’s rapid reconstruction that officials have promoted since March. Some residents have publicly questioned whether resources might be better directed toward housing needs and private property remediation that affects their daily lives.

The transformation of Loma Alta Park unfolds against a landscape still visibly scarred by fire damage. Charred hillsides surround the revitalized space, empty lots mark where structures once stood, and many residents continue to navigate temporary housing situations.

Charles Carter, the Altadena Recreation Services Supervisor who will oversee daily operations at the reopened facility, views the park’s transformation through both professional and personal lenses. 

“This park is a beacon for this community,” said Carter, who has worked at Loma Alta for over a decade.

“It’s a place where families know their kids are safe, where neighbors come together, and where we are now taking our first steps toward restoring and rebuilding.”