
Looking a lot like the Starship Enterprise, the Civic Center/Grand Park Metro station on the Red and Purple Line
Although it’s been more than three weeks since I last posted anything on my blog, I have noticed that the world has not come to an end. That’s a relief knowing I am not responsible for such an event. So life goes on with or without my blog posts, which is a good thing as I have just been too busy taking care of other parts of my life. And as I want blogging to be an enjoyable activity, not something I HAVE to do, I refuse to force myself.
Also, lately I have been feeling very antsy and unsettled for a variety of reasons I won’t go into here. But I consider myself very fortunate that when I do get antsy I can just pick up and go to any number of interesting places to take my ants for a walk.
A couple of weeks ago I knew I had to get out of the house, explore an area I was not that familiar with, and take some photos. I thought about visiting this place and that place and some other place, but finally the light bulb came on. Grand Park.
I took the Expo Line train to the Red Line, and when I exited at the Civic Center Metro Rail Station I found myself splat in the middle of the park. Although I had driven past it before I had not stopped to investigate. When driving a car, finding a place to park is always an issue and one of the reasons I prefer to take public transportation when possible.
And there is nothing I enjoy more than being able to travel door-to-door on the train.
Grand Park is a 12-acre park stretching over four blocks in downtown Los Angeles, situated between the Music Center on the west at North Grand Avenue and City Hall on the east at North Spring Street.
The park is flanked on the south and north by Los Angeles County court houses including the notorious Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, noted for the O. J. Simpson case, the trial of Michael Jackon’s doctor and other high profile criminal trials.
Grand Park officially opened about a year ago, I believe. There was some kind of public area in that spot before but I really don’t recall. It was evidently rather drab.
Now it has been beautifully landscaped with distinct sections including a gorgeous restored fountain with a wading pool. I got a little carried away taking photos of that so I am going to reserve that subject for a separate posting.
Other areas include a spacious, open lawn area for events such as concerts; shady places where visitors can sit and meditate; and gardens planted with drought-tolerant plants from around the world representing the cultural diversity of the City of Angels.
There are also some nice views of City Hall that I will post in Part Three. I want to make this same trip again in the near future and write a separate blog entry about that iconic building. I also intend to do a dedicated posting about the Music Center now I know how easy it is to get there.
I love the choice of bright pink chairs and tables scattered around the park.
It was a very hot Sunday so there were not a lot of people out in the open areas.
These signs are installed all over the park describing the habitat of that particular section such as this Paleotropical area.
Grasses weaving an abstract design.
Sign board showing the six floristic kingdoms of the world which are all represented at the park.
A fine example of a “Monkey no climb tree.” I don’t have to explain that name! Also known as Hura crepitans, the sandbox tree, possumwood and jabillo.
You can’t tell from this photo but these red-flowered plants were buzzing with bees… I was afraid to get too close for fear of making them all angry.
However, I managed to capture one when it wasn’t looking.
Currently there is discussion regarding the fate of the county buildings surrounding the park. They are outdated and no longer serving the needs of the offices and courts housed in them. However, as blah as these buildings are, they represent an architectural period (don’t quote me, but I believe they were contructed in the 1950s) and, just like the original Los Angeles County Museum of Art buildings from the 1960s (a whole other story) I would rather see them preserved in some fashion rather than being completely razed.
This sculpture speaks for itself. I don’t know what it has to do with Los Angeles County, but whatever…
This young lady dressed for summer represented the mood of the park on this sultry, lazy Sunday afternoon.
I have to say, I was very impressed with the park, given the constraints of the location. I will be back!
Los Angeles City Hall in the distance which will have its very own blog post one of these days!
Stayed tuned for Part Two, the fountains at Grand Park coming up in the next few days, I hope… In the meantime, you can visit Grand Park, part one and a half.
Please click on all the photos for a larger view.
All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!
August 30, 2013 at 8:50 am
Terrific post. I like the park too, and enjoy getting there by train. That fountain is wonderful.
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August 30, 2013 at 1:12 pm
I’ll go back when it’s a little cooler.
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August 30, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Thank you for touring the LA Grand Park! the bright pink chairs look very cheerful 🙂
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August 30, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Amy.
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August 30, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Thanks for taking me on a tour that I will never experience in any other way. I feel like I’ve been there now. I was attracted to the pink seats in the first photo in which they appeared–they matched some of the flower blooms. But it seems that they are everywhere! Looking forward to the fountains…
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August 30, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Hi LY: Yes, I am so glad somebody had the guts to choose pink…. I can imagine the looks around the table when the idea was first presented!
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August 31, 2013 at 9:08 am
Antsy describes me perfectly, Roslyn. Love those hot pink benches!
I strayed into your Vintage Tiles when I followed the link back to you, but couldn’t find anywhere to leave a comment. They are fabulous! 🙂
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August 31, 2013 at 10:32 am
Thanks, Jo. Glad you liked the vintage tiles…. I am just way too busy with fingers in too many pies so I don’t have time to really update anything…. that website is woefully out of date.
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September 11, 2013 at 10:06 am
What a lovely park, and I love those pink benches. 🙂 It’s quite a few years since I was in LA. Time for another visit.
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September 11, 2013 at 9:24 pm
If you haven’t visited in a few years then there have probably been a lot of changes.
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September 12, 2013 at 3:37 am
It’s been about seven years.
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