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You may have heard that an ambitious plan is underway to rejoin the two sides of one of L.A.’s most known public parks, MacArthur Park in Westlake. But do you know why it was separated to begin with?Before it was deemed public space, the area was actually a marsh-like wetland with a natural lake. It wasn’t appreciated by many and eventually it became an informal trash dump.As more people moved to the area, many sought to make improvements.
In 1886, the area was designated as public parkland, first named Westlake Park, which took it from an eyesore to an oasis , complete with buggy paths, boating facilities, a bandstand for Sunday concerts, andThis aerial view, dated in 1929, shows Westlake Park with the proposed Wilshire Boulevard extension over the lake. The road extension has been artistically rendered, showing the boulevard curving across the north side of the lake.
Aerial view of MacArthur Park in 1956. The park's smaller lake, created by the split, was filled in sometime after the extension was completed.The cut-through change wasn’t welcomed by all, however. The Wilshire Community Council protested the move in 1932 and residents organized to urge city leaders to stop. In October of that year, 300 residents went before the Public Works Committee of the City Council to voice a unanimous dissent.
Speakers felt the change was an unnecessary one that would destroy the park, bring traffic hazards closer to visitors, and be a “ But the city moved forward, and in 1934, they constructed the road that took Wilshire Boulevard into the park, through the lake, to the other side. The lake was drained temporarily as teams filled in the dirt foundation.The contentious history mirrors issues with the management of MacArthur Park today, with concerns that it isn’t well taken care of.
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City’s $2.5 million plan to close road in MacArthur Park raises local eyebrowsThe plan is meant to boost local access to the park, but some residents say drug use, not car use, is the real problem
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'It's bold': L.A. moves to close Wilshire Boulevard through MacArthur ParkCity leaders have announced the first step toward eliminating vehicles on a small stretch of one of L.A.'s most iconic streets.
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City launches plan to reconnect MacArthur ParkThe first phase of the plan -- officially known as the Reconnecting MacArthur Park project -- will begin in August.
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