The city of Baldwin Park is seeking input from the public as it decides on the designs and amenities for its new Ana Montenegro mini-park near the Sante Fe Dam Recreation Area.
The city will hold the first of two community engagement meetings Wednesday, April 24 starting at 6 p.m. at the Esther Snyder Community Center, 4100 Baldwin Park Ave., showcasing potential design ideas for a 0.19-acre park on the corner of Maine Avenue and Joanbridge Street in Baldwin Park.
“We are thrilled to kick off the public engagement process for Ana Montenegro Park,” Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada said in a release. “This special space will be transformative for our community, providing invaluable new greenspace and park amenities for all to enjoy. I strongly encourage my fellow community members to make their voices heard during this process, as we strive to build a park that is reflective of our residents’ needs and desires.”
The city purchased the vacant land for the mini-park in 2022, looking to address issues of equity and environmental justice in the northern quadrant of the city by adding Baldwin Park’s second new park since it was incorporated in 1956.
The park’s name pays tribute to former Baldwin Park City Treasurer Ana Montenegro, who was one of the first Latinas elected to public office in California and a dedicated local teacher.
The Ana Montenegro mini-park is expected to start construction early next year and open to the public late 2025. Anticipated amenities include outdoor fitness equipment, picnic areas, a playground, sustainable landscaping, and artistic installations designed to showcase Baldwin Park’s culture and history.
The park’s proximity to the Sante Fam Dam Recreation Area gives Baldwin Park the opportunity to expand the region’s existing trail network and connect the area’s wider active transportation plans, including connecting the San Gabriel Bike Trail, Emerald Necklace and Santa Fe Dam Bike Trail.
The park is estimated to cost a total of $1.1 million, with $761,000 coming from grant funding from the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, and the rest covered by the city.
Those unable to attend the community meeting are invited to share their input via an online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/anamontenegropark.
