Puente Hills Regional Park, designed by renowned landscape architecture firm, Studio-MLA (MLA), is a landmark project to convert the former Puente Hills Landfill site into a blooming 160-acre regional park - LA County’s first new regional park in over 30 years. The effort to convert one of the nation’s largest former landfills into a vibrant, ecologically sensitive regional park will serve as a beacon of responsible land transformation and an asset for the surrounding affected communities. As part of this once-in-a-generation project, the community engagement process— also led by MLA with RE.CO founder Rodrigo Rodarte supporting as MLA’s Director of Programming and Partnerships—embraced a co-design methodology rooted in interactive dialogue, cultural relevance, and neighborhood-driven insight. The team, a coalition that included the respected community engagement firm, The Robert Group, and community-based organizations like Active-SGV and Nature for All, utilized a full-spectrum, grassroots approach to community engagement: deploying onsite programming, activating conversations, neighborhood listening sessions, and hands-on opportunities for residents and under-voiced stakeholders to shape the future of this extraordinary public space in a variety of forums. Through a series of workshops, experiences, bilingual surveys, pop-up engagements, hikes, bike rides, and partnerships with additional community-based organizations, the team ensured that the park’s design reflects the priorities of those who will use it most—emphasizing accessibility, environmental stewardship, and lasting community connection.

**Project images represent work also performed and created by Studio-MLA, Active SGV, Nature for All, The Robert Group, and others**