Overview

The Port of Los Angeles (POLA) in southern California is the busiest seaport in the Western Hemisphere. In an effort to connect local neighborhoods with the historic waterfront, the LA Waterfront is involved in the development of several community enhancement projects in the San Pedro and Wilmington communities. This includes the Avalon Promenade and Gateway Project, which features SpectraPour Supreme surfacing.

Key Challenges and Solutions

The Avalon Promenade and Gateway project replaces 12 acres of industrial land and a former oil tank with recreational open space for the community. A pedestrian bridge along Avalon Boulevard provides walker and bicycle access to Banning's Landing and the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade.

Because of all of the pedestrian traffic, this project required a high-quality, poured rubber safety surface that would stay in place during use. As a result, SpectraPour Supreme was specified, since it’s the highest-quality safety surfacing on the market. This two-part system is mixed on-site and features a high-density 0.5-1.5 mm Spectra TPV granule top layer, complete with UV stable aliphatic binder, over a shock-absorbing rubber base pad. The result is a product that increases a surface's expected life while decreasing overall maintenance costs. SpectraPour Supreme also conforms to ADA requirements and is IPEMA Certified, making it extremely safe in the event a child falls, because it meets critical fall heights.

YKD was retained by POLA to lead the site design for the park. The YKD design team and POLA worked closely with residents of the community and project stakeholders to garner input. During the conceptual design phase, the project team conducted design charrettes, public workshops, interviews, presentations, and online surveys, so they could deliver a project design that met the community's needs and reflected their cultural values.

The park features a sundial plaza at the entrance, a promenade that leads to the garden bridge, a history walk that resembles the segment of the historic Avalon Boulevard that was removed in favor of a great lawn for hosting large activities, sports courts with a basketball court and gym equipment, and a native garden to enhance local habitat and provide educational opportunities.