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Mini-Park Project Breaks Ground in LA’s Koreatown
Construction has finally begun on a project to transform the parking lot of the Pio Pico Koreatown Library into a mini-park for local residents. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on the 5th, marking the start of a project that has been in the works for nearly nine years. Located at the intersection of 7th Street and Oxford Avenue in the heart of LA’s Koreatown, the park is expected to be completed as early as early 2026.
The ceremony, attended by about 100 people, was held at the library parking lot at 694 S. Oxford Ave. LA. Led by LA City Council District 10 representative Heather Hutt, the event saw participation from key figures including Jimmy Kim, the Korean-American General Manager of LA’s Department of Recreation and Parks, John F. Szabo, City Librarian of the Los Angeles Public Library, Valerie Lynne Shaw, President of the Board of Library Commissioners, and James Ahn, President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles.
According to JFAK, the architectural firm responsible for the design, the project is estimated to take between 18 to 21 months to complete. If this timeline holds, the park could be ready for public use by early 2026.
However, concerns have been raised about the project’s potential impact on the local homeless population and associated public health and safety issues. The area around the library is already home to many unhoused individuals, and there appear to be no clear plans in place to address potential security and public health challenges once the park is completed.
This project represents a significant development for Koreatown, potentially providing much-needed green space in one of LA’s most densely populated neighborhoods. However, it also highlights the complex urban planning challenges faced by the city, particularly in balancing community amenities with the needs of vulnerable populations.
