A new project now making its way through the review process in Baldwin Park aims to tackle two regional needs: stormwater capture infrastructure and green space.

Barnes Park, located just north of the I-10/I-605 interchange at 3251 Patritti Avenue, spans a roughly 2.6-acre property along the east bank of the San Gabriel River. The park, per a landing page on the Baldwin Park website, includes playground areas, basketball courts, a game room, and a large field.

Through a new stormwater capture project, which city officials have given the prosaic title of "Barnes Park Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture Project," Baldwin Park is aiming to both expand the footprint of the park onto an adjacent vacant lot, while also installing new infrastructure to divert and capture runoff from the surrounding 440 acres of land.

Barnes Park Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture ProjectCity of Baldwin Park

Funded through sources which include L.A. County's Measure W and California's Proposition 68, the expansion and makeover of the Barnes Park would include:

  • an expanded parking lot and new street parking;
  • new trails around the park;
  • two new basketball courts, replacing the existing courts which are slated for removal;
  • space for two soccer fields;
  • a new futsal court with seating;
  • surface swales with pedestrian bridges;
  • a new dog park area on the south side of the existing park;
  • new play structures and larger playgrounds;
  • new shade shelters, furniture, and grills;
  • water features; and
  • space for movies and events within the park.

Construction of the proposed improvements and park expansion is expected to commence in Fall 2023 and last for approximately one year, according to the city website. Barnes Park would be closed during this time period.

The project is currently in its environmental review phase, having recently seen the release of its initial study.

An expansion of Barnes Park is set to follow closely on the heels of Baldwin new "Commuter Bikeway," which recently broke ground. Plans call for a 2.5-mile multi-use trail along the banks of the San Gabriel River adjacent to Barnes Park.