Pan Pacific Park: Movement, Memory, and the Weight of History
There are parks made for play. Parks made for protest. Parks made for power. Pan Pacific Park holds all three. This stretch of land tucked behind The Grove in Los Angeles offers much more than greenery, it’s a training ground, a tribute, and a place of truth. I recently visited and walked away moved in more ways than one.
Movement Zone: Greysol Johana López Vásquez Fitness Area
This free outdoor gym honors Greysol Johana López Vásquez, a community ROC tribute recipient who clearly left a legacy of strength. I spent a moment using the leg press-style machine here, solid, smooth, and just the right resistance for open-air training.
Trainer Tip:
Add 3–4 rounds of leg presses + walking lunges along the path. Pause to stretch under the trees or near the water fountains. Don’t rush the rest, it’s part of the session.
Space to Gather, Space to Reflect
There’s a small, elegant amphitheater-style section built into the grass. It's the kind of space that invites people to gather. You could host a stretching circle, a breathwork session, or a quiet talk about resilience here. I imagined leading a community workshop, shoes off, grounded in purpose.
History Lives Here: Holocaust Museum LA
Before entering the park fully, you're greeted by a statue and a bold sign declaring where you are.
Walking deeper, I approached the Holocaust Museum, which sits directly adjacent to the park’s edge; modern, minimal, and heavy with memory.
Each of these visuals is a reminder: You are standing on the border between recreation and remembrance. And that is the point.
Among the most haunting inscriptions is one referencing the 1936 Berlin Olympics, described as a moment of false peace, a world celebrating sports while ignoring the rising tide of hate. It makes you pause. And look ahead.
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics. The world will gather again, under flags and fanfare. But what will we be celebrating? Who will be protected? Who will be forgotten? Pan Pacific Park quietly reminds us that strength isn't just physical. It's ethical. It's collective. It's rooted in memory.
History doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it’s silent. Polished. Etched in stone. But when you stand in front of it, you feel it.
The Little Library + Big Truths
Near the museum is a tiny library box. Yes, the kind where you leave a book, take a book!
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Even the small things here feel significant. Free knowledge, shared space, and stories waiting to be taken home.
Haym Salomon: American Patriot
His statue stands proudly nearby. Jewish financier of the American Revolution. “American Patriot” it reads. Another reminder that identity and contribution are not separate. This park doesn't just feature history, it reframes it for the now.
Walking Paths, Quiet Views
The paths are smooth. Wide enough for a stroller or a sprint. I walked slowly this time, taking in the blend of natural rhythm and historic echo. There are places where the sun hits just right and you feel like you’re moving through memory, not just a park.
Final Thought
Pan Pacific Park isn’t just for fitness. It’s for awareness. For honoring those who came before. For building strength, not only of body, but of presence.
Whether you train hard, walk softly, or simply stand in silence, you belong here.
Plan your visit
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks : Pan Pacific Park Recreation Center
Parking: Lot available
On-Site reads different address: Holocaust Museum LA
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