Located in Downtown Los Angeles on a former oil field, Vista Hermosa Natural Park provides residents with opportunities for recreation and access to nature. The project began as a revitalization effort by the LA Unified School District (LAUSD), but seismic issues and possibility of gas leaks necessitated a different plan that sited buildings in more structurally sound areas, leaving the park space open. The park was to be open to the public while the LAUSD got priority access to the athletic facilities during school hours.

Inspired by the hilly nature of the surrounding neighborhood, the park uses topography to delineate space and treat rainwater. A 0.4-mile trail winds throughout the site, opening up to grassy fields, city views, and California wildlife-inspired play equipment. The artificial turf soccer field creates space for organized sports and programs are in place to expose neighborhood residents to the outdoors. 

Built on the site of a former warehouse and steel yard, Railroad Park stitches the north and south sections of Birmingham back together. In addition, the park needed to reconnect two former industrial sites that were being revitalized to the east and west. The site is one of the low points in the city, so the design needed to address stormwater issues as well. 

The design centers on the rail lines that run through the site, using topography to create and define space while ensuring access to the rails on the high end of the site. Additionally, lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water create an attractive stormwater solution while providing scenic views and interactive elements throughout the park. Referred to as “Birmingham’s living room,” the project includes a number of community-building elements, from walls and seating to encourage casual conversation to an amphitheater that holds community events. 

 The project revitalized a formerly derelict neighborhood, encouraging development in surrounding areas and creating a connection between parts of the city that had been divided by rail lines. The park serves important stormwater functions for the neighborhood, with trees and other stormwater features preventing runoff that could otherwise cause flooding and pollution. Finally, the park improved the perception of downtown Birmingham, bringing the community together and catalyzing economic investment. 

• A pedestrian bridge was chosen instead of stairs to deal with topography change within the park, creating a large loop connected to a series of smaller loops. The continuous circulation encourages fitness and shows the benefit of creating looping paths that interconnect.

• The entry plaza was intended to have a number of buildings, but due to various issues, those did not get built by the time the park opened, and instead an amphitheater and open space took their place. These elements have proved invaluable for flexible use and event space, showing that it’s wise to not spend too much time designing future phases in detail and let the designs adapt to users’ needs. 

• The still-active train lines on site required designers to think creatively about how to address these. Instead of trying to shield them, designers embraced the rail, creating an elevated section of the park for train-spotting, in addition to providing views of downtown Birmingham.