Greenbuild Blog
Sustainability Fun Facts You May Not Have Known About Los Angeles
By Nick Vener
April 24, 2025
We are excited to announce that registration for Greenbuild 2025 is officially open! This November 4-7, 2025, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, expect an all-new program featuring solution-focused green building education designed for today. In anticipation of arriving in Los Angeles, we’re diving into the city’s environmental and sustainability history, including facts that you may not have known about our next host city.
Below are a few sustainability facts about Los Angeles that you might not have known.
#1. Los Angeles is Home to the Largest Urban Park in the U.S.
Los Angeles is home to the largest municipal park in the United States. Griffith Park, over 4,200 acres, is a sprawling green space offering hiking trails, picnic areas, and top attractions like the Griffith Observatory and the Los Angeles Zoo.
Griffith Park was donated to the city in 1896 by Colonel Griffith J. Griffith, who envisioned it as a place for public recreation. Today, Griffith Park remains a cherished retreat, blending natural beauty with cultural significance. This Los Angeles fun fact reminds us of the city’s commitment to preserving its green spaces amidst urban growth.
*Image courtesy of https://griffithobservatory.org/
#2. LA's Watts Towers were built by hand using recycled materials.
The Watts Towers in Los Angeles was built by Simon Rodia over 33 years using only hand tools and recycled materials.
Some consider the towers one of the most powerful acts of recycling that California has ever seen. The towers also stand as a symbol of artistic perseverance and community pride.
*Image courtesy of the LA Times
#3. Los Angeles is home to world's only Ferris wheel featuring solar-powered lights
According to The Patch, the Ferris wheel at the pier's Pacific Park features 174,000 solar-powered LED lights mounted on it structure, which includes 40 spokes and two hubs. The LED lighting provides 81 percent greater energy savings compared to traditional incandescent Ferris wheel bulbs, according to the park.
The city of Santa Monica recognized Pacific Park with a 2020-21 “Gold GoSaMo Achievement” award for reducing vehicle trips, congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions in the city.
*Image courtesy of https://pacpark.com/
#4. Los Angeles has 202.6 Million Square Feet of LEED Certified Space
According to the Green Business Information Gateway, the city of Los Angeles has roughly 202.6 million square feet of LEED Certified space with roughly 2,539 certifications in the city, and has won 51 awards.
Are we missing any? Let us know at info@greenbuildexpo.com!
