xavier Grobet on April 07, 2009, at 12:12PM – #1

where is the green area, no grass in the park?, that's what's most needed in a park downtown.

Rich Alossi on April 07, 2009, at 01:51PM – #2

Yeah, and how about some real trees instead of these cardboard cutouts?

Oh, wait, it's just a model.

grass? on April 07, 2009, at 07:46PM – #3

green. it just needs grass and shade; when will they get that's why people go to parks in london and new york.

Juanito on April 07, 2009, at 08:17PM – #4

Yes, really: there ought to be some kind of memorial included in tribute to Zev. Because if not for him, we would now have a Wilshire Boulevard subway running way out at least to Westwood Village, if not further. But he had another idea, which made Herr Antonovich smile so brightly.

Make that memorial out of a pile of crunched up auto bodies, belching exhaust and car alarms. On a soundtrack play Janis Joplin non-stop. Yeah: her rendition about a hoped-for Mercedes Benz. That oughta drive the would-be generalissimo over the edge and pray that he then proceeds on up to the observation deck to end it all. One less Republican to worry about!

On top of that stack of chariots, install an industrial strength impact sprinkler, real heavy duty and high velocity type, so that the homeless can run around naked and get clean in hot weather while singing 'I Love L.A.' (along with Randy Newman). Include jets of steam along with the belching exhaust and car alarms (shades of The Doors' This is The End). Down at the bottom of this pile of rusted Americana there should be flames leaping out, fed by flammable gas collected only and expressly at the tar pits.

But not to worry. There should also be an automatic valve to stop the flow of methane. Just in the case of an eight.point.oh event and Joan Rivers starts to scream.

Whitman Lam on April 07, 2009, at 11:12PM – #5

Where's the green grass ? Please ! Please, not another Pershing Square !!!

David Kennedy on April 08, 2009, at 12:56AM – #6

Egads. This 'design' is pathetic. It doesn't bode well for the aesthetic ambitions of the Grand Avenue project. At some point, with the Board of Supervisors calling the shots here, what can we expect? Still the mediocrity of the design is astonishing. Very disappointing. Clearly, Mr. Rios' design talents are non-existent. May the design gods curse his career and he be consigned to architectural oblivion.

Tornadoes28 on April 08, 2009, at 07:51AM – #7

See that brown spot in the middle of the model? That is the grass area.

Urban Bruin on April 08, 2009, at 08:27AM – #8

"I want a bean!"

Clearly, the people in Chicago understand the concept of public art and space. L.A., nah, not so much!

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/04/move-over-bean-youre-about-to-get-companyseeking-to-spotlight-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-document-that-changed-the-fa.html

John Swartz on April 08, 2009, at 08:39AM – #9

Not to back the low amount of grass in the design, but the function of this space is really more of a plaza than a park. This is the pedestrian connection between al the civic buildings. They should be calling it a plaza, because it's not really a recreational park. I doubt residents will hang out there other than during work days and special events. (same with Pershing square). That is, unless they make wide open grassy areas where you can play sports and run.

Everytime they design a park, it's some big monstrosity, but all we really need is some damn grass! Last time I checked, that stuff is cheaper than concrete pavement! The only true functional park in downtown isthe Cornfield park!

eva on April 08, 2009, at 10:11AM – #10

Dear "educated" designer:

LESS concrete/paved walkways (make them narrower) and MORE trees and grass!

Thank you.

Interurbans on April 08, 2009, at 10:45AM – #11

This is typical of what LA keeps coming up with, ugly unusable vast expanses of pavement. We have had to live with Pursing Square for 30 plus years now with this full block in the hart of the city with nothing to show us except concrete. We sure do not want to do the same with the public space between Grand and the City Hall.

If this is to be a connection between the different civic buildings, lets look at what Washington DC did with their National Mall anchored by the Capital and the Lincoln Memorial which is mostly grass with many public buildings and museums on either side.

What is the chance of Los Angeles coming up with some real imagination so that this “Park”, Plaza”, or “Mall” can match our world class city status, not 3rd world blocks of concrete.

The Bringing Back Broadway with its planned trolley is an example of thinking outside of the box with the use of some imagination shows that Los Angeles is capable of coming up with some good planning and designs.

rob on April 08, 2009, at 01:18PM – #12

oh boy more concrete, how about gym equipment for the homeless too.....Why don't they let some kids plan the next park... stop over designing!!! Grass/Trees Need help fly to Savannah Ga.

Rich Alossi on April 08, 2009, at 01:44PM – #13

Unfortunately this particular image doesn't reflect the entire park. Look to Eric's photo set for a more expansive view http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericrichardson/3348916299/in/set-72157615152685236/

Note that there's two blocks of nearly solid grass on the park property, one in front of City Hall, and the other between Hill & Grand.

Russell Brown on April 08, 2009, at 02:03PM – #14

Not a great photo of the model and all the colors are off- way too brown, so hold some of your bad thoughts.

There is a lot more green than what is shown here. This photo shows the section that is the roof of the underground garage.

The multi-colored areas in the bottom of the photo are planted area that can be often changed for different seasons or as an art installation. The huge brown area is lawn. The entire parking lot opposite City Hall is not pictured and is all lawn.

Not sure why the photo is reading all the green as brown and dead. That is not an accurate portrayal of the park. It also was not the true colors of the model.

This is much more useable and inviting then the (off color) model photos seems to illustrate.

The models were available for viewing for 3 days last ArtWalk. The landscape architects and designers also interacted and listened to the community for those 3 days last month also. Over 2000 folks participating in the viewings and meetings.

Come to the public meetings and all will have a much

Bert Green on April 08, 2009, at 04:41PM – #15

I'm curious how many people here spend any time is the existing park, which shares a lot of features with the new proposal (the major difference being an expansion of the existing park plus additional upgrades). It's very green, and will get greener with the redesign. Other than being located out of the way for most people, it's a rather nice space. If this expansion and redesign makes it more of a destination I think it will work. To do that takes a combination of greening and programming, which this plan seems to do pretty well. Remember that a lot of it is on top of the County parking garage. The part across the street from City Hall is not on top of parking and will contain the large lawn.

The water supply in California is near emergency levels. Grass maintenance uses lots of water, and the city and county are going to face rationing soon. As it is city parks have been instructed to cut their water use by a large amount.

benjamin on April 08, 2009, at 05:16PM – #16

the existing park is pretty scary after 7pm. we walked through the park with rich's walking tour. i hope the new design wont attract even more homeless.

Ben on April 08, 2009, at 05:32PM – #17

Why not spend this money on something more practical for use by downtown residents? Or better yet, why not spend this money on housing and services for all of the homeless people in the area?

David Kennedy on April 08, 2009, at 05:53PM – #18

I've spent plenty of time in the existing park and I find it inhospitable. There seems no reason to linger and relax. I can't put my finger on why exactly. The concrete benches are uncomfortable. Sitting down for a picnic seems odd. The place has a bureaucratic feel to it a la "Brazil". I hate the walkways. Too straight, too efficient. I loath the massive water fountain. It is too large. Talk about wasted water.

There are times during the day when it is busy. But, busy in the sense of people moving through it. The greenery reminds one of landscaping along a freeway. Nice for what it is, but I don't want to hang around. If the planners think they can make the park successful via programming activities, I think that is more damning evidence of its inherently poor design.

If I want to take the kids somewhere, we head over to the Cathedral, which is one block over. There's a nice play area there for them. The cafe and outdoor tables round out the experience. For good design inspiration, Grand Hope Park and Vista Hermosa are fine examples. Alas, we get this.

If Russell and Bert want to defend the aesthetics of the park, they are entitled to their opinion. (Although given Bert's business, I have much higher expectations from him.) Maybe we are over-reacting to the model and the photo's poor color resolution. But, I suspect the negative comments reflect the community's unpleasant experiences with the unfortunate Pershing Square.

inspiration on April 08, 2009, at 10:23PM – #19

imagine if they made the park (which has a real opportunity to be the green space in downtown) look like these two photos:

http://image48.webshots.com/49/1/59/91/362215991jPmRaA_fs.jpg

http://www.freefoto.com/images/31/06/31_06_6---St-James-s-Park--London_web.jpg

how happy and blessed los angeles would finally be. it's simple; no need to complicate it.

Joel C on April 09, 2009, at 12:09PM – #20

I really don't understand this obsession in L.A. with overdesigning our parks.

As some have said, making a park isn't that hard. Look at Long Beach, where I live. They have lots of parks. Little parks, big parks. It didn't take a genius to design Heartwell Park in LB. You start with lots of grass and trees, with rolling hills and meandering paths. You add lighting and benches, and voila, successful park.

You don't need to create "rooms" or add "programming". You just need to start with lots of green. Then you address problems (trampled grass, lack of seating, need for fences) organically as they arise.

Joel C on April 09, 2009, at 01:43PM – #21

A beautiful park in Paris (what our park design should seek to emulate, IMO):

M a r c on April 09, 2009, at 10:36PM – #22

I cannot believe I'm actually citing my rinky dink hometown of Anaheim...but here's a great example of a "new" park in a historic neighborhood that is designed to be enjoyed rather than gazed upon:

CLICKETH