Measure A grant will fund Salt Lake Park improvements; SLA highlights local hiring and a one-mile trail

Franca Yure of the Sustainable Labor Alliance told the Huntington Park City Council the partnership between the city, LA County Regional Park and Open Space District and SLA won a Measure A Category 4 competitive grant to fund improvements at Salt Lake Park.

Yure said the city’s prior investment in soil remediation — "approximately 4,000,000" — made the site fundable and enabled the successful grant application. Jesse Salazar, SLA’s founder and CEO, described a project that would add a one-mile multiuse path, native landscaping and play areas while planting "over 150 mature trees" to increase shade and neighborhood connectivity.

The presenters emphasized workforce development tied to the grant. Salazar said the funded training will create pathways into two unions and provide employment opportunities for about 30 Huntington Park residents during construction, noting "people from the same city that are gonna be building this project." Staff added the grant agreement must be executed by July 31, 2026, followed by planning, community engagement and schematic design; construction could begin within 24 months and be completed within four years.

Councilmembers praised the project’s community focus, local hiring commitments and the city’s prior remediation work. Several urged staff to continue community outreach and to explore ways to bring larger, mature trees into the early phases so residents have shade faster. The council did not take a formal funding vote on the grant itself at this meeting; presenters said staff will return with agreement documents and further steps for public review.