A Community-Driven Plan for a Community-Centered Park
State of California, Exposition Park Master Plan & Phased Implementation
Civic and Public, Urban Design and Planning
Exposition Park in South Los Angeles is a 160-acre Beaux Arts-style urban park. Established in 1872 as an agricultural fairground, today it is home to iconic cultural institutions, including the California Science Center, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California African-American Museum, and the historic Rose Garden.
For many years, different elements of Exposition Park had been overseen, maintained, and modified by different state, county, and city organizations. In 1991 ZGF was hired to work on a master plan to bring the now disparate elements of Exposition Park into order and to re-green the park, recovering it from its gradual descent into a patchwork of parking lots, which had begun with the construction of the 1932 Olympics facilities.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Square Feet
160 Acres
Completion date
Phased completion 1991-2003
Project Component
Architecture Services
Master Planning
Urban Design & Planning
Grounded in the intent to return much needed greenspace and recreational amenities to the surrounding communities, which had been underserved for so long, the master plan began with greening the edge of the park, adding new corner parks, and replacing parking lots with playing fields that could double as parking on an as-needed basis. The revitalization effort also helped drive the momentum that influenced the state’s decision to keep admission to the California Science Center free of charge, to engage local youth and excite them about STEM education and career opportunities.
ZGF worked closely with advisory committees and institutional stakeholders that included the State, City, and County, the Community Redevelopment Agency, and other agencies, public leaders, and community residents through a series of public workshops, advisory groups, public hearings, and reviews on the project.
More than a decade of community commitment has resulted in the realization of this master plan, in a multi-phased investment of public and private funding that has included a new building for the California Science Center, along with the creation of community parks, expanded community-based amenities, improvements to landscaping and lighting, new promenades, and a park signage and identity program, new park entrances, parking structure, a neighborhood elementary school, and expanded museum facilities.
Inspired by California Science Center, “The World of Life” theme was integrated into one of the new 3.25-acre Corner Parks, visible in the design of the play equipment, paving patterns, and fence design.
This project is a reflection of a thoughtful and inclusive design process which has been directed toward restoring a shared vision and shared stewardship among historically competing interests.
Maxine Waters, US House of Representatives, 43rd District, California
Improvements to the Olympic Promenade and State Drive, and the creation of additional new promenades created a pedestrian-centered experience.
New park signage and identity program made navigation clear and simple.
Out of the ongoing plan to recover Exposition Park from years of degradation and neglect came an idea for a prototypical community recreation facility that would encourage cross-generational communication and understanding. A public/private partnership funded the development of a six-acre site located in the southwest corner of the Park. The result is the EXPO Center, one of the largest recreational complexes in the City of Los Angeles.
The plan called for the renovation and expansion of the 1932 Olympic Swimming Stadium, the addition of a Child Care Center, and the repurposing of an existing clubhouse into a Senior Center. Wrapping a new building within existing historic walls ultimately saved the Stadium from complete demolition. The new portion of the building is contemporary, yet respectful of the historic façade. One thousand of the original bleacher seats were retained and swimming pools were restored.
The building now also features basketball courts, meeting rooms, an auditorium, and exercise and locker rooms, while maintaining its original purpose as an aquatic center.
