A look at South L.A.'s Wetlands

Danette Martin sings the praises of a park that sits near her former neighborhood.

Earlier this month, Danette Martin was heard singing Gospel at Augustus F. Hawkins Natural Park, a wetlands green space carved out of a abandoned  DWP pipe storage yard in her former South Los Angeles neighborhood.

She just returned from a trip to her Kansas City and was visiting the 8.5 acres that is surrounded by fading houses and harsh industry. She was inspired beyond just taking a hike.  “I am even more hopeful about the transformation of our city,” she said.  “Just like Hawkins Park was transformed from the pipe yard. I truly believe Los Angeles can be transformed in more beautiful city through intercession and worship.”

The natural O.G. park at Compton and Slauson has quiet rolling knolls filled with almost unruly scrub vegetation sliced by dirt walking paths; the sound of traffic and the nearby Blue Line just quiet white noise.  It was local government and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the community at large, envisioned this "naturalized" environment. It was named after the former congressman Augustus Freeman “Gus” Hawkins, who represented the Watts neighborhood from 1963 to 1991. Before Hawkins passed away at 100 years old last September, he was known to visit the park often.

A larger park and wetland is planned at 54th and San Pedro, providing Council member Jan Perry’s billboard bartering between the City, MTA, and Clear Channel is completed next week.  It will most likely be, as Tuesday there was 13-1 Los Angeles City Council Vote approving a 10 Freeway electronic billboard sign district that will be part of an exchange of  land needed to duplicate the urban wetlands. Billboard opponents, located nowhere near the proposed Downtown sign district, agree the parks are needed but are fearful that billboard media will grow wild and unkempt in the rest of the city.

The first visit to the park was a month ago––when I first heard Martin––and had me see the block was made for the city, not just a neighborhood;  green space created while Quimby funds were hiding in the bushes of bureaucracy. The second visit two weeks ago has me believe anyone who doesn’t think this one of the better projects in the city is just a . . well, I won’t say.

I don’t want to offend the loon who nestles in the park at dusk.

Photo essay below the fold.

An oak tree leads to the main lawn.

Cattails line the stream and wetlands area landscaped with river stones, giving refuge for birds.

Native plants, from desert catus to flowers, thrive in the middle of the city. Below, the park trails are explored while city telephone poles peek over the fence.

Public Art can be seen on the grounds, like the small amphitheater's mosaic tile benches by the Arts District's Art Share.

A small citrus field sits behind the Craftsman style Evan Frankel Discovery Center.

A windmill pumps water through a spillway and into the stream (when it's working).  The last storm temporarily took its toll leaving the chore of filling the stream to park stewards.

And a thanks to my two tour guides. They visit the park weekly with their parents, and gave a few tips on how not to make the Rangers too mad.

Augustus  F. Hawkins Natural Park
5790 Compton Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90011
(323) 581-4753
Open Monday through Sunday: Dawn to Dusk

Photos: Ed Fuentes / VFaL

Comments

[Jacqueline Redeemer]

Ed Fuentes---I salute you in your article regarding los angeles's city transformation...Danette Martin is one of many intercessors and worshipers in Los Angeles county who are committed to pray on behalf of our communities. God is establishing Houses of Prayer that are commissioned to usher in the presence of God's divine purpose for our Cities. There are more stories to capture on this topic.

[Marva Coleman]

True journalism lives on! Ed, your article provides hope and courage. A snapshot of the practicality of prayer and worship was conveyed throughout providing the “what and why” of Danette's prayers for her city. And I had to smile at your closing thanking your guides, the precious children. Her passion and commitment to intercede for Los Angeles represents the voice of many who pray for the revival of our city. The House of Prayer-Inglewood commends Danette for her voice singing in the wilderness and you for writing the article. I look forward to more articles such as this, that are a shining a light in the darkness.