Los Angeles Grand Park on a hot Sunday afternoon – Part One

August 30, 2013 by RMW 15 Comments

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.

View upon stepping out of the station

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.

Looking back to the Music Center and Department of Water and Power building

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.

Court of Historic American Flags.

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.

One of several markers at entrances to the park.
Grand Park. The park for everyone.

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.

Downtown skyline.

Yes, we do indeed love city views!

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.

A nice shady space to brown bag it during the week

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.

Plants from Antarctica.

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.

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