Grab a burger and a drink and settle on a “TinyPark” to enjoy.
The City of West Hollywood has launched the latest of its new micro-parks — two “TinyPark” spaces on the city’s Eastside. One is at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and North Gardner Street, adjacent to Astro Burger. The other is located across the street at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and North Vista Street, adjacent to Fatburger.
Each TinyPark consists of solid pink boxes that can serve as interactive furniture. The idea is to encourage passers-by to do something positive such as play, pause or smile. Transforming under-used sidewalk median areas into places to sit and socialize with friends and neighbors is part of a process known as “tactical urbanism.” The boxes are ideal for having lunch, playing a game of chess or checkers, or just enjoying a moment in a shady spot. Selfies can be uploaded by park-goers using the hashtag #TinyPark.
TinyPark was conceived and designed by JSA (June Street Architecture), founded in 2004 by principal Sonny Ward, and UrbanRock Design, established in 2000 as a partnership with architect Jeanine Centuori and designer Russell Rock. The TinyPark installations follow the installation of the #WeLoveWeHo micro-park and selfie spot on the Sweetzer side of West Hollywood City Hall, which aims to bring people together, whether standing next to it or logging in from across the miles to view posts through social media.
The temporary micro-park installations are a project of the city’s Micro-Park Pilot Program, which is activating underused spaces in the city during the renovation of West Hollywood Park. TinyParks and #WeLoveWeHo are the first of four installations, which are expected to remain in place for 12 to 18 months.
Just wonder how much the consultant was paid. I wish the City would focus on issues that are more pressing than being constantly distracted in the pursuit of trying to cultivate an image of “creativity”.
Then go move to the canyon. So many hating trolls on here….. and let People have opinions! No one asked or cares for yours. I think the boxes are cool and I hope they do more.
The real art is in the Jacaranda Trees whose blooms will soon shed. One can never outdo Mother nature.
Lisa: These boxes have everything to do with the nearby opportunistic development. Well designed buildings that complement and enhance the landscape offer opportunities for folks to sit, take a break and relax. They are inviting and connect with the community. This trendy parklet was not well thought out….. rather an inexpensive throwaway Target type version of a real organic space. They appeal to you now as the color scheme matches the Jacaranda tree which will soon be out of bloom. The free little libraries on the other hand are great. The first one I sighted years ago resides in Santa… Read more »
Love this art install. So exciting.
@voolavex I am aware of NY and the concept of tiny parks. But that is for a completely city than Los Angeles. Even Trump Tower had to create a specific amount of green space and trees. That’s why the lower levels that are stepped back have a tree planted on a patio size area many stories above the street. At the time, people thought it was a really sleazy way Trump got around creation of tiny pocket parks, and Trump back then was the same as our “president” … proud how he around the strict small new “pocket” like public… Read more »
@Lisa I am more confused the more I read about development. I don’t know anything for sure, but you stated unequivocally “These boxes don’t have anything to do with all the east side development.” I can’t tell either way. Can you explain why you know for sure the parks have nothing to do with development. You may be correct, but declaring an absolute negative is FACT is pretty hard for anyone on any subject. I live knowing it is not knowledge you know you don’t have is not the really big problem. The really big problem is not even knowing… Read more »
So cute and fun! Love these.
Yeah, but I still think people just love to complain. Not everybody is going to agree on whether a design looks good, or not. That is a given. Not everybody is going to think it is a good use of public money.
But I’m talking about those who complain about the city giving something back to its residents. Time and again.
Randy!!! I agree with you 100% you can’t please everyone. So many trolls online. These boxes don’t have anything to do with all the east side development. They literally can be taken at face value as a simple piece of inexpensive art to make someone’s day better. All these people on here are just ungrateful. Be thankful you live in such a beautiful place that even thinks about small improvements to make your lives are even a tiny bit better. Don’t just sit and complain online, if you’re not happy about it then do something about it. Atleast someone out… Read more »
Randy: its about beauty, authenticity and value. These are notions and attributes that many decision makers don’t seem to have in their tool box(s). If you don’t know about something you can’t provide it. Look at the recent forgettable developments on the east side. A far cry from complaining. Many seem to be impervious to quality. Better love your bone or chicken wing cause it ain’t gonna improve without work.
New York City created pocket parks in the 70’s and they were lovely. Utilizing small and usually narrow spaces they installed seating and in Paley Park I think there was/is a water feature. And it works – I imagine to this day – but I also think they may have been gated at night. For obvious reasons. These ”tiny parks” strike me as odd. The placement is odd and the use of “aprons” especially at busy, loud and congested intersections is peculiar. We don’t get very much past the Maginot Line that is Fairfax. And we are bottom heavy with… Read more »