Award Winning Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park Reopens with Phase 1B
January 21, 2022 – Los Angeles, California
Winner of Project of the Year from the United States Green Building Council – Los Angeles Chapter, along with five other prestigious awards, Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, the largest park in South Los Angeles, is putting the finishing touches on its revitalization of Phase 1B and will be re-opening to the public this February.
“The continuing efforts of the renovation at Magic Johnson Park further transforms this park for the community, allowing for greater access to nature and advancing sustainability efforts as a model for urban parks”, said Wendy Chan, MIG Senior Landscape Architect. “We hope the opening of Phase 1B brings more of the community out to enjoy its new amenities, especially during a time when access to the outdoors is as important as ever.”
Hailed as the gold star in sustainable park design, the project not only offers a hub for the community to gather and recreate but demonstrates how urban environments can be models of water conservation. This next phase will include ¾ mile of walking trails, an off-leash dog park, educational California native habitat gardens, an informal natural amphitheater, a ¼ mile fitness loop with exercise equipment, and a community flexible lawn space. With the opening of Phase 1B, it will be the first off-leash dog park in South Los Angeles. The first phase of the renovation, which officially opened to the public in January 2021, is a world-class urban park for the community while also serving as a model for sustainability and conservation for the County of Los Angeles.
This project diverts and captures stormwater runoff from the community’s 375-acre watershed which is part of the overall Compton Creek Watershed. The stormwater is then treated through a system of processes including natural biofiltration through mitigated wetlands surrounding one of the park’s two lakes. The treated water is stored within both lakes and reused for on-site park irrigation. With this innovative capture and recycled water system, the project was designed to be environmentally sound, and to create a model for other parks to integrate water sustainability design. The goal was to create something that connects residents with nature in a way that inspires community, culture, healthy living and learning.
The project also closed out 2021 with six awards under its belt.
· American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC-CA): Honor Award
· American Society of Civil Engineers – Los Angeles (ASCE): Sustainable Engineering Project of the Year
· American Society of Landscape Architects – Southern California Chapter: Quality of Life Award of Excellence, Honor Award for Parks and Recreation
· Los Angeles Business Council (LABC): Architectural Award for Civic
· Southern California Development Forum (SCDF): Honor Award in the Civic category
· United States Green Building Council – Los Angeles (USGBC-LA): Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, and Project of the Year
