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Johnny Carson Park Image Collection

In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development (10 acres of which were to be reserved for a future hospital site) in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. The construction of the Ventura Freeway further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s Tonight Show. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the Tonight Show. The Tonight Show Playground was named in honor of the $15,000 donation made in 1993 by Jay Leno through the Jay Leno Foundation to help raise funds for its construction. Funding also came from the Youth Endowment Services Fund.

1940s - Buena Vista Park with Griffith Park in Background
A view of Buena Vista Park looking south towards Griffith Park. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” Notes on the back of the photo: “Buena Vista Park (Johnny Carson Park) looking towards Griffith Park before Ventura Freeway was built.”
1947 - Wash at Buena Vista Park
Photo taken at Buena Vista Park on December 19, 1947. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” “The wash at Johnny Carson Park. 12-19-47"--back of photo.
1947 - Wash at Buena Vista Park
Photo taken at Buena Vista Park on December 19, 1947. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” “The wash at Johnny Carson Park. 12-19-47"--back of photo.
1947 - Wash at Buena Vista Park
Photo taken at Buena Vista Park on December 19, 1947. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” “The wash at Johnny Carson Park. 12-19-47"--back of photo.
1947 - Wash at Buena Vista Park
Photo taken at Buena Vista Park on December 19, 1947. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” “The wash at Johnny Carson Park. 12-19-47"--back of photo.
1947 - Wash at Buena Vista Park
Photo taken at Buena Vista Park on December 19, 1947. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” “The wash at Johnny Carson Park. 12-19-47"--back of photo.
1950s - Buena Vista Park - Storytime
1950s Buena Vista Park - Storytime. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.”
1952 - Buena Vista Park Casting Pool Dedication
Parks and Recreation Board Member Carl Guerriero (far left) joins several boys as they cast their lines into the new casting pool at Buena Vista Park, December 14, 1952. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” Notes on the front of the photo: “Paul E. Wolfe.” Notes on the back of the photo: “123. Casting Pool Dedication. Buena Vista Park – Now is Johnny Carson Park. 12-14-52. Far left: Carl Guerrerio.”
1952 - Buena Vista Park Casting Pool Dedication
Mayor Walter Mansfield (standing) speaks at the dedication of the new casting pool at Buena Vista Park, December 14, 1952, as (from left) Parks and Recreation Board Members Ted Epstein and Marvin Thorpe, Monsignor Martin Cody Keating, and Board Members Joseph Harris and Carl Guerrerio watch on. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” Notes on the front of the photo: “Paul E. Wolfe.” Notes on the back of the photo: “City of Burbank, California, Official Photograph No. 118. Title: Casting Pool Dedication. Place: Buena Vista Park (now is Johnny Carson Park). Date: 12-14-52. Time: 1:00 pm.” Photo taken: 12-14-52. By: Paul E. Wolfe.”
1952 - Buena Vista Park Casting Pool Dedication
Parks and Recreation Board Member Carl Guerriero (far left) watches as several boys cast their lines into the new casting pool at Buena Vista Park, December 14, 1952. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” Notes on the front of the photo: "Paul E. Wolfe." Notes on the back of the photo: “City of Burbank, California, Official Photograph No. 122. Title: Casting Pool Dedication. Place: Buena Vista Park (is now Johnny Carson Park). Date: 12-14-52. Time: 1:00 pm. L to R: Carl Guerriero. Photo taken: 12-14-52. By: Paul E. Wolfe.”
1954 - Buena Vista Park Sailboat Regatta
Buena Vista Park - Sailboat Regatta Aug 20 1954
1954 - Buena Vista Park Sailboat Regatta

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