The Los Angeles Grand Avenue Committee recently broke ground on a new downtown public park project, designed by Rios Clementi Hale Studios (RCHS). Located at the historic Bunker Hill site and goaled to help revitalize the underutilized area, Los Angeles Civic Park will occupy a 12-acre, four-block site and feature two modern support structures. It will serve as a culturally and horticulturally diverse community destination.

“The park is designed to be a cultural crossroads for all the different communities in Los Angeles. Every design decision is about how you do that.  It’s about setting a stage to allow people to walk and promenade and check each other out, to have events, and concerts, and space for reflection,” says Mark Rios, FAIA, FASLA. “The park will enable, sponsor, showcase, and enlighten with the diversity that defines our City. We’re designing the park as less of a ‘design,’ and more of a place to make these events possible.”

Plans for the linear park boast a tree-lined pedestrian path around the exterior, which forms a 2/3-mile, circular track. Additional pathways connect at varied promenade intervals, dividing and unifying the site’s four, separate blocks, while strategically placed incline ramps help to soften Bunker Hill’s natural incline. Care was taken to preserve many of the existing mature trees while incorporating new plants to alter and enhance the pattern of sun and shade. The Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain, a historic feature at the Civic Mall, will be restored and highlighted as a water feature. New plazas, terraces, and lawns will also be incorporated, as well as brightly-colored, metal chairs, benches, and tables, custom designed by RCHS.

Additionally, RCHS designed two outdoor structures that will house interior spaces for a café, public gatherings, and park services. The sloping roofs will serve to provide additional shade options for visitors.