The New Public Spaces in LA: Where are They?

The children's adventure area in Vista Hermosa Park

Politics, money, ecology. . . and design -- those are just some of the complex considerations in a public park project that, says LA Times critic and DnA guest Christopher Hawthorne, make landscape design one of the most compelling design disciplines right now, and public parks among some of the most interesting new spaces the Southland. On this month's show we visit destinations that serve a specific community while also being new regional destinations worth a visit by any out-of-towner or Angeleno on a summer staycation.

The soccer field at Vista Hermosa Park

1) Vista Hermosa, shown left, is a gorgeous park on restored hillside West of downtown in the Westlake neighborhood. It was created by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the LAUSD (adjacent to the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, formerly known as the beleaguered Belmont Learning Center) with landscape design by Mia Lehrer and Associates. The park offers something for everybody: walks through fragrant planted areas; a children's play area with giant sculpted tortoise and snake in place of the usual jungle jim; a soccer field; and restful terraces to simply enjoy its fantastic view of downtown.

Aromatic plants line a snaking pathway through Vista Hermosa

2) Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, created by the Baldwin Hills Conservancy and State Parks on restored hillside once drilled for oil; it's dramatic and wild and has got to be one of the rare locations in LA where you can get an astonishing, near 360 degree view, enhanced by a graceful visitors center and terrace by Safdie Rabines Architects.

Visitors Center by Safdie Rabines at Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

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3) Orange County Great Park: with designer Ken Smith at the helm and a team that includes Vista Hermosa's Mia Lehrer and Associates, this is a hugely ambitious public project, transforming the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a 1300 square feet park complete with a newly created 2.5 mile canyon and lake. The park is in process, for now you can enjoy the Great Park balloon rides, dance performances and other programmed activities in the 27 acre "preview" park.

4) Annenberg Beach House -- a destination that inspires pride in our oft-criticized public realm. The product of a private-public partnership between the Annenberg Foundation, the City of Santa Monica and State Parks, this beach club aimed at the general public offers R+R at a very affordable ticket price, in a great architectural package that mixes modern and historic. It consists of a restored guesthouse and sumptuous tiled swimming pool remaining from the neoclassical estate designed for actress Marion Davies and her lover, William Randolph Hearst by Julia Morgan, coupled with a modern clubhouse by architect Frederick Fisher, landscaping by Mia Lehrer and Associates and public art by Roy McMakin. Not to mention it's right beside the very popular Back on the Beach cafe, about to reopen back on the beach!