Memorial Park

This multi-phase project transformed an outdated playground area built in a park that partially spans the 210 freeway.  It was open to access and views of the surrounding major city arterial roads creating anxiety for parents of the children playing in the park.  To provide a safe and exciting environment for children to play, the park incorporates new play equipment, sand play areas, shade trees, interesting fencing and plantings to screen the adjoining busy streets and create safe enclosure for children to run free.  To make this park unique Ronnie Siegel worked hard to raise community funds for an interactive play element and the very first public art in the city.   Artist Mark Lere was commissioned to create and install a remarkable seven piece sculpture of many small bronze figures of unknown age, gender, race that secretly inhabit the park for children to discover.

This multi-phase project transformed an outdated playground area built in a park that partially spans the 210 freeway.  It was open to access and views of the surrounding major city arterial roads creating anxiety for parents of the children playing in the park.  To provide a safe and exciting environment for children to play, the park incorporates new play equipment, sand play areas, shade trees, interesting fencing and plantings to screen the adjoining busy streets and create safe enclosure for children to run free.  To make this park unique Ronnie Siegel worked hard to raise community funds for an interactive play element and the very first public art in the city.   Artist Mark Lere was commissioned to create and install a remarkable seven piece sculpture of many small bronze figures of unknown age, gender, race that secretly inhabit the park for children to discover.

Memorial Park (Before)

The park meets goals of sustainability using only porous pavement which is locally sourced, local boulders and cobblestone, the onsite recharge of storm water, numerous shade trees, and abundant plantings that require low water.