Did you know that pieces of a 19th-century courthouse are here? This is City Terrace Park. It is a tranquil and historic park in East Los Angeles. Today, we will explore its unique history.
City Terrace Park has terraced areas. They feature amenities made of Arizona red sandstone. This sandstone came from the old Los Angeles County Courthouse. The courthouse was completed in 1891. It was demolished in 1936. The Long Beach earthquake in 1933 damaged it. It was deemed unsafe.
The park has been open since 1933. It is important to the community. People come here to relax. They also enjoy the outdoors.
City Terrace Park is more than just a park. It is a place with a gym. There are basketball courts here. You can also find a swimming pool. Tennis courts provide recreational opportunities. Soccer and baseball fields are available too. A playground and splash zone offer fun for kids.
The park also has a community center. It hosts many activities. Computer classes are offered here. You can also join dance classes. Zumba and tutoring are also available.
One unique feature is the giant dome. People play basketball under it. There is also a mural alongside the gym. The mural represents the people of East Los Angeles. It shows their agricultural roots. Aztec temples symbolize the culture. Sombreros are also part of the mural. A beautiful woman surrounded by nature completes the scene.
In 1957, the park expanded. Six hundred thousand cubic yards of soil were used. The soil came from the Los Angeles Civic Center construction. It filled a ravine. This tripled the park’s original size.
The City Terrace Park Sports Shell is unique. It is an indoor-outdoor dome for the basketball court. It resembles a turtle shell. Some say it looks like a saddle. It might be the only athletic dome of its kind.
Ralph J. Bowerman and Charles W. Hobson designed it. They were from Bowerman and Hobson. There are no walls at its base. No interior columns either. Five beams support it along the exterior. It looks space-age even now.
The park’s sandstone bricks have scars. These scars are from dismantling and transport. They also come from reassembly. These bricks line the northern end of the park.
City Terrace Park continues to be a vital part of the community. It offers a space for recreation. It also provides a connection to the past. This park is a landmark in East Los Angeles. It is a special place for many people. Take a moment to appreciate the history around you. Think about the stories these stones could tell.