Yesterday the Eastsider reported an interesting development in City Council news – there’s a chance the City of Los Angeles might put some money aside to purchase the Corralitas Rail Path from its current owner to turn it into a bonafide city park.

The 10-acre strip of land just north of Silver Lake was formerly home to a Pacific Electric Red Car line that ran into Glendale from 1896 to 1955. The cars haven’t run for a long time, but there are still a few remnants of the old stations, some cement stairways, and pieces of a 100-foot trestle bridge that crossed what is now Fletcher Drive.

Various developers have tried to turn the property into housing units over the years, but have been met with stiff resistance from local groups. It’s currently used as an unofficial green space and short hike.

While neighborhood activists are quick to point out this plan is in the very early stages of development, but a motion was introduced to have the city investigate the cost of partnering with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land to purchase the land for use as a park. Similar proposals were turned down by the landowner in 1997, 2001, and 2003.

Here’s hoping the fourth time’s the charm!

Tags: city council, city park, corralitas rail path, echo park, Hiking, Los Angeles, red car property, silver lake