Roots in History: The Hospital on the Hill

Before discs ever soared above the rolling hills of Veterans Memorial Community Regional Park, the land beneath today’s Sylmar Disc Golf Course bore silent witness to one of Southern California’s most significant chapters. This scenic pocket in the San Fernando Valley was once home to the San Fernando Veterans Administration Hospital, originally constructed in 1926 as a tuberculosis facility before expanding into a general hospital in the 1960s. The hospital provided essential care to thousands of veterans, set against sweeping mountain vistas and shaded stands of mature trees.

Disaster Strikes: The 1971 Sylmar Earthquake

Everything changed in the early morning hours of February 9, 1971. At 6:01 AM, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake erupted along the San Fernando Fault, sending shockwaves through the valley and devastating the community. The Veterans Administration Hospital, perched directly above the fault, suffered catastrophic destruction—its buildings crumbled, and 49 patients and staff tragically lost their lives in the collapse. The ruins became a somber testament to the power of nature and the fragility of even the most vital institutions.

After the earthquake, the site was deemed unsafe and permanently closed. In 1972, ownership of the land was transferred to Los Angeles County, and the remnants of the hospital were gradually cleared. A memorial plaque was later installed to honor the veterans, nurses, and staff whose lives were lost that morning, ensuring the site’s legacy would never be forgotten.

From Rubble to Recreation: Birth of the Park and Course

Out of tragedy rose hope. In 1979, Los Angeles County opened Veterans Memorial Community Regional Park, transforming this historic and hallowed ground into a place for healing in nature. Just a year later, in 1980, pioneering disc golfers—including course designer Steve Rico—laid out the first discs and permanent baskets, establishing what would become one of the oldest and most respected disc golf courses in Los Angeles County.

A Legacy of Challenge and Community

Today, the Sylmar Disc Golf Course is renowned for its unique blend of technical holes, dramatic elevation changes, and natural beauty, all shaped by the land’s extraordinary history. Players traverse terrain that shifts from open fairways to steep, tree-lined slopes—the very hills and grounds where hospital wards once stood. The upper holes offer panoramic views and a poignant reminder of the past, while the lower park’s thick woods test players’ skill and determination.

Honoring the Past, Playing for the Future

The continued success and vibrancy of the Sylmar Disc Golf Course are a tribute to the spirit of renewal that followed one of the valley’s darkest days. Every round played celebrates not just the sport, but a community’s resilience—and the cherished land that now brings people together for recreation, reflection, and friendship.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a disc golf newcomer, or one of the hundreds of players who consider Sylmar “home,” each visit offers a chance to walk through a living legacy—where every throw echoes the remarkable journey from hospital to haven, from heartbreak to hope.