Parkman Triangle Park in Silver Lake

At the corner of Silver Lake Boulevard and Parkman Avenue lies a 2000-square foot patch of asphalt that has lain empty for decades.  Occasionally, trash is strewn across it; sometimes there are unpermitted weekend yard sales or flea markets; often cars are parked on it illegally.  Years ago this space was paved over to make right turns off of Parkman to Silver Lake Blvd. safer, but the redesign left wasted space that currently does nothing for the local community.

 

But soon, after two years of research, phone calls, and neighborhood activism, this barren space in Silver Lake, south of Sunset Boulevard, will become a vibrant park, thanks to the Parkman Triangle Improvement Project.

 

Parkman Triangle Park is the result of two local residents who have invested much thought and planning into this space.  Two years ago, Ara Babaian, who moved into the neighborhood in 2002, wondered why this wasted space could not be put into better use for local residents.  While other areas of Silver Lake, such as the reservoir and Sunset Junction, have enjoyed a renaissance over the last decade, this area south of Sunset Boulevard and bordered by Interstate 101 has not received as much attention.  Local businesses have moved in and many homes have been remodeled over the last several years, but this neighborhood still offers a lot of potential.  After all, this area has homes dating back to the early 1900s, and was once populated by workers employed by the silent film industry; the "Music Box Steps," made famous by a Laurel and Hardy film short, are a 5 minute walk away.  Babaian saw the need for more green space, a place for residents to rest with their dogs while chatting with other locals, and a gateway to this hilly neighborhood that would welcome both visitors and residents.  Babaian envisioned naming this park "Parkman Triangle Park," and the historic neighborhood around it would be referred to as "Parkman Triangle."

 

While Babaian was the dreamer behind Parkman Triangle Park, John Southern, a local architect at Urban Operations Studio, spent much of his time and talent turning the park into a near reality.  Like Babaian, Southern moved into the area several years ago and built a new, modern home nearby.  Working with Babaian, Southern drew plans, researched the best drought-resistant plants, and worked with the Los Angeles city officials in creating plans for the park that would highlight the neighborhood's landscape while designing a space needing minimum maintenance.

 

The plans call for a space to be reflective of Southern California's landscape:  trees will be planted in the middle and near each corner that will eventually provide shade in the summer heat.  Native plants and grasses requiring little water will provide a transition from the sidewalks on Silver Lake Blvd. and Parkman.  And boulders, some of which will anchor each corner of the park, will give visitors a place to sit and rest, while situated in a way that will not block the views of any drivers turning onto Silver Lake from Parkman.

 

Last year, Southern and Babaian achieved two huge accomplishments:  City Council President Eric Garcetti's office enthusiastically agreed to for the demolition and hauling of the old asphalt; and the LA Department of Water and Power agreed to install a water main, allowing for irrigation. 

 

Largely because of Southern's meticulous drawings and hours spent on the phone with the Office of Community Beautification (OCB), the project received the necessary permits and an OCB grant that will allow this park to take shape beginning around March 1, 2010.  Their efforts are particularly impressive because of the city's budget woes:  Parkman Triangle was one of the last projects approved before the axe fell on many OCB initiatives.  In order to receive the grant, Southern and Babaian had to prove that they could provide matching donations in services and labor.  The project still requires volunteers who can work on weekends during March and April, and is currently vetting contractors that can do a lot of the heavy work including trenching, plumbing, and irrigation.  Plants, gravel, and boulders, as well as their hauling, are also needed.

 

Once the park is completed, this pocket of Silver Lake will become even more re-energized and enjoy a renewed, unique identity.

 

For more information and updates on Parkman Triangle Park, please join its Facebook page, or contact us here.