In its beginnings, the area including what is now known as MacArthur Park existed as swampland until the park was created in the 1880s.  Within a decade, the neighborhood flourished into a vacation destination, complete with luxury hotels and glamorous inhabitants.  In recent decades, the area has become a thriving hub for Central American immigrants who have brought to the neighborhood their unique culture and dynamic energy.  Near the park is a bustling commercial corridor and Metro station, which along with the efforts of community members, led by “Mama,” has contributed greatly to the revitalization of the neighborhood.