MacArthur Park - 7th and Alvarado St. Entry
Award
Description
The project focused on delivering park enhancements at the southeast portion of historic MacArthur Park at the corner of 7th and Alvarado Street. The improvements begin with a new pedestrian entry plaza at this prominent and busy intersection, which echoes the design language of the Wilshire Boulevard entries. A wide arc of seat walls defines the new Plaza area and is anchored by two large architectural pylons framing the entry walk into the park proper. The weathering-steel, 15-ft. high pylons are internally lit, and identify the Park and the immediate area as “MacArthur Park” and “Westlake”. The entry path, which includes new Trees & landscaping, seating alcoves with new pedestrian benches, and ornamental lighting fixtures, leads patrons further into the park with a band of brick-colored paving stones, and terminates at the new lake edge steps and terraced seating areas that overlook the lake and park to the north and west. Conceptually, design has taken into account the many layers of historical context as well as the community desire for cultural expression that reflects today’s neighborhood demographic. This design solution creates a striking new visual element identifying the park, and enhances the function of the 7th & Alvarado entry by greatly expanding sidewalk access into the park, while being sensitive to the existing historical context of the park site.
Branch