Parnell Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Leffingwell Ranch Park La Mirada Creek Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Parnell Park is a public park located in the city of Whittier, California.

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Summary

It covers an area of 51 acres and is a popular destination for visitors of all ages. The park offers a wide range of activities, including sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails.

One of the main attractions of Parnell Park is its sports facilities. The park has several baseball and soccer fields, as well as basketball and tennis courts. There is also a skate park and a BMX track for those who enjoy extreme sports.

Another point of interest at Parnell Park is the community center, which hosts various events and programs throughout the year. The center has a gymnasium, a dance studio, and meeting rooms that can be rented for private events.

Visitors can also enjoy the park's natural beauty by taking a stroll along the walking trails. The park is home to several species of birds and other wildlife, making it a great spot for birdwatching and nature photography.

Interesting facts about Parnell Park include its history as a former landfill before its transformation into a public park. The park is also named after local resident and former mayor, J. D. Parnell.

The best time of year to visit Parnell Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. However, the park is open year-round and offers something for visitors in every season.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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