In December of 1964, ground was broken on a magical “Land of Oz” playground in the San Fernando Valley. It was a joint venture between the Van Nuys Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, and the Valley Children’s Play Park Association. The $250,000 park was supposed to recreate areas described in L. Frank Baum’s famous children’s book, The Wizard of Oz. The park was was located inside the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park at 14201 Huston Street in Sherman Oaks.
Kids were excited. At school, they painted a murals depicting the themed park. They dressed in Wizard of Oz costumes and marched around the park and in a parade during the Opening Day ceremonies. It was festive and fun. Sadly, the park did not last.
Money was the first issue. Lack of funding caused construction to drag on for nearly a decade. The failed project was left incomplete with just a few structures standing, the “Munchkinland Castle” and the “Over the Rainbow Bridge.” These remnants were ultimately demolished in the late 1980’s due to lack of maintenance, security issues, gang activity and vandalism.
These old photos capture a bit of the mid-century optimism, anticipation, and even joy that accompanied the magically-themed Land of Oz Playground.
