Monterey Park: Parks, Equity, And Green Space Vision

Wong clarified that his very early service on the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and as a Monterey Park ecological commissioner strengthened his recognition of enduring local environmental obstacles, from groundwater contamination to hazardous landfill sites. In time, he expanded his emphasis to consist of the San Gabriel Valley’s serious absence of parks and eco-friendly facilities.

Environmental Vision

In the middle of this diverse social material, Monterey Park Councilmember and previous Mayor Thomas Wong, that was born and raised in the city, shared: “In lots of Asian societies, specifically Chinese, opting for strolls in the park and having access to environment-friendly spaces are deeply valued. Although my moms and dads were immigrants, our summer season holidays were constantly invested visiting national forests. That spiritual, personal and existential connection to nature is unbelievably significant to us.”

“Expanding up in the Highlands area, we would certainly typically walk to Highlands Park and Barnes Park,” he said. “I have a picture of my brother and I playing on the old playground at Highlands Park– that image was also component of my project. My primary school, St. Stevens, really did not have any type of green room or a track, so we had our PE courses at Barnes Park across the street.

Yet, he stressed that real environmental equity implies bringing nature into areas themselves: “It’s one point to boost hill access, however we likewise require neighborhood parks and shaded pedestrian paths where citizens do not require an automobile to get to green area. Our objective is to make certain everybody, no matter income or area, has the right to public nature nearby.”

Nature Access

“Water, transit, and parks are adjoined,” he stated. “Parks can operate as stormwater capture and natural water filtering systems. And purchasing transportation has to consist of improving access to parks and nature.”

“Our goal is to maintain the initial vision of this city, that every resident can access high-grade parks and nature,” he added. Parks are public assets we have to remain to buy and pass on to future generations.”

Wong stated “Monterey Park genuinely values its park system. Over the last few years, the city has actually embraced even more strategic planning, from library and economic advancement strategies to current plans for parks, entertainment and sustainability. These guide how we purchase public works and city procedures for a more comfortable neighborhood.”

Strategic City Planning

Amid this diverse social material, Monterey Park Councilmember and former Mayor Thomas Wong, that was born and increased in the city, shared: “In lots of Asian societies, particularly Chinese, going for strolls in the park and having access to green rooms are deeply valued.” Growing up in the Highlands neighborhood, we would typically stroll to Highlands Park and Barnes Park,” he said. My primary college, St. Stevens, didn’t have any type of environment-friendly area or a track, so we had our PE classes at Barnes Park throughout the road. Wong said “Monterey Park truly values its park system. In current years, the city has embraced more tactical preparation, from collection and economic growth approaches to present plans for parks, recreation and sustainability.

Wanting to the future, Wong worried that as the populace in Monterey Park remains to expand, so must its investment in environment-friendly room: “State-led housing development questions: what does population boost mean for public space? It means more areas to gather, cool off, and link.”

Wong proceeded that low-income neighborhoods in the San Gabriel Valley have done not have basic public environment-friendly area for too long: “We should make the most of use every offered resource, particularly access to the San Gabriel Mountains, so individuals can absolutely appreciate nature near home.”

With greater than two-thirds of Monterey Park’s population being of AAPI descent– mostly Chinese– its parks are vibrant with social life daily: Tai Chi, dancing, and elderly exercise routines are precious community scenes.

AAPI Community & Parks

He acknowledged budget constraints and stress and anxieties careful allocation of resources that stabilize community worth with cost. In response to growing interest in pickleball, the city transformed some tennis courts into temporary pickleball courts.

According to the 2025 ParkScore report by the Depend on for Public Land, Monterey Park has 15 parks totaling 137 hectares, with 87% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park. This rate exceeds several neighboring Asian-majority cities including Alhambra, San Gabriel, Arcadia, Rosemead and Holy Place City.

Monterey Park’s Park Access

A lifelong local of Monterey Park, Wong was elected to the city council in 2022 and came to be mayor in 2024. This city holds historic relevance as the first in the U.S. with a majority-Chinese American population and became a sign for Chinese presence in mainstream metropolitan politics in the 1980s.

The San Gabriel Valley, in eastern LA County, organizes among the nation’s biggest Chinese immigrant communities. Cities like Monterey Park, San Gabriel and Rosemead have Asian populations over 50%, with Chinese residents forming the largest subgroup.

He likewise supported initiatives led by former united state Labor Secretary and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis to increase the Save the San Gabriels project. That campaign protected classification of the San Gabriel Hills as a National Monument in 2014– and Wong is currently pushing to boost it to a National Entertainment Area to acquire federal financial investment and enhance transportation and framework access for bordering areas.

San Gabriel Mountains Initiative

He noted that “In the previous years, L.A. County has currently passed a number of site procedures– Measure A for park funding, Procedure W for water durability, Step M for transportation and Step H taking on being homeless. Via calculated integration throughout domain names, we can change the material of city room into a more sustainable and equitable green system.”