Grand Park, stretching from the Music Center to City Hall, is not only one of the most popular spots in Los Angeles for daily exercise, lunch breaks, and family events but also serves as a hub for Chinatown, Little Tokyo, El Pueblo, and the Historic Bank District.
Features of the Grand Park area
Grand Park, spanning 12 acres, includes a terrace, lawns, the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain with LED lighting, and 24 botanical gardens. The site impresses with its stunning city center horizon and covers a height difference of over 90 feet. Around 140 plant species representing six global floristic kingdoms are on display. More than five million gallons of water are filtered annually before reaching storm drains.
The park is renowned for its events. The first public New Year's Eve celebration took place on December 31, 2013. The event featured food trucks, art installations, and various light shows, among other attractions, drawing about 25,000 attendees.
At the end of August 2014, the park hosted a festival featuring performances by Imagine Dragons, John Mayer, Kanye West, and others. During the 2028 Summer Olympics, the park will serve as a venue for marathons and cycling events.
History of the park's appearance Сохранить перевод
In 1907, planner and landscape architect Charles Robinson proposed integrating Los Angeles' city and county buildings. Frank Lloyd Wright's city plan included a public center with rooftop runways. Local chambers of commerce committees rejected Bartholomew Olmsted's plan, which would have turned the city center into a network of thousands of urban parks.
County Chief Administrative Officer Arthur J. Will proposed building a Civic Center mall, which was favorably received. The center initially spanned two blocks between the Los Angeles County Courthouse and the Hall of Administration. With design changes, the public area was expanded to four blocks. Unfortunately, the built structure was quite unremarkable and underappreciated for decades. In the 21st century, the forgotten plot of land was decided to be transformed and made accessible to tourists and residents. Daunting ramps and imposing government buildings made the square particularly unfriendly to pedestrians.
The reconstruction project required 12 years of planning, participation, and collaboration between planners, developers, designers, officials, and the public. The direct construction of Grand Park began in 2010 and cost $56 million.
On October 6, 2012, Grand Park celebrated its centenary and was simultaneously reborn. That day featured concerts, yoga classes, a fair, cultural festivals, and festive celebrations, attracting more than 150,000 people to the park.
What to see in the park
- Olive Court is an area adorned with olive trees and historic benches, serving as a venue for art and book fairs, plant sales, and small community events.
- A bronze replica of Jean-Antoine Houdon's statue of George Washington faces a statue of Christopher Columbus by sculptor Francesco Perotti on the Performance Lawn.
- Park signs and the slogan "The park for everyone" are translated into 25 languages.
- The park features moveable chairs, benches, and tables similar to those in Bryant Park in New York City.
Events and festivals
Permanent events include:
- Sunday Sessions Festival;
- music concerts;
- Independence Day Party;
- yoga during lunch;
- dance performances;
- farmers market in the city center;
- book festivals.
Additional Information
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Address
200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Mode of operation
Mon – Sun: 5:30 am – 10 pm.
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Web site
| Address | 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| Mode of operation | Mon – Sun: 5:30 am – 10 pm. |
| Web site |
Grand Park was created to be a place of gathering for a diverse population, celebrating the unique interactions between Los Angeles residents and visitors. It stands as a vibrant urban oasis where one can sit back and people-watch, proving that there is still romance in the city.
Book a Los Angeles tour with American Butler and spend time in a beautiful, relaxed setting!
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