DEFOREST PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN SURVEY

Project Background
Funded by a State grant, RMC Prop 1, the Conservation Corps of Long Beach, Camp Fire Angeles Council, Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, and City Fabrick are collaborating to develop a Vision Plan for future improvements to Deforest Park.

What is a Vision Plan?
A community-based plan for guiding future park investment.

Why does your voice matter?
It's your park! You understand the challenges and opportunities for enhancing Deforest Park.

Wait, is there money for this?
Yes! Funding for the plan and initial new improvements have already been secured with more opportunities to come.

What's been done so far:
We have already hosted two rounds of community workshops while surveying residents and park users, and performing regular park-use audits, all done to better understand the opportunities and challenges within the park.

The community has spoken! Both Deforest Park concepts include the following elements:

• Walking Trail
• Dry Creek Bed
• Pedestrian-Scale Lighting
• Waste/Recycling Receptacles
• Benches
• Picnic Tables
• Deforest Avenue Safety Enhancements
• Bicycle Parking
• Horse Hitching Area
• Drinking Fountains
• Playground Improvements
• Wayfinding Signage
• Dog Waste Bag Dispensers
• Outdoor Fitness Equipment
• Seating Built into Slope

General Design Concept:
DeForest Park draws inspiration from the OCEAN and the FOOTHILLS and harmoniously unifies the DeForest Wetlands to the south with the sloping terrain and forested landscape to the north. DeForest Park also responds to its surrounding context of the  NEIGHBORHOOD with the LA RIVER, serving the park needs of local residents and identifying the LA River as a regional opportunity for habitat restoration and play. They are woven together by two NORTH-SOUTH CONNECTIONS that offer unique walking and bicycling experiences throughout the entire park.

Design Concept Option One:
This design imagines a series of distinct parks unified by two strong north-south paths that span the entire site length of the site. This design recognizes that the existing topography, building structures, and park uses naturally divide the park into several different experiences, building upon this diversity to offer a park for all.

Unique Characteristics:

• Improve and expand the number of community buildings
• Transform the closed handball court structure into a another use.
• Build a concession stand and restroom building between two existing sports fields.
• Transitions between different park uses have clear edges and sense of space.
• Add on-street bicycle path, separated from vehicle traffic.
• Expand the playground for different age groups.
• Add dog park, compact in design.
• Provide space for a community garden.

Design Concept Option Two:
This design imagines a series of interconnected spaces within the park that overlap together with more seamlessly transitions between park-uses. This design maximizes north-south visibility and the utility of land by reshaping topography, building structures, and types of uses that are unessential to meet the park's full potential.

Unique Characteristics:

• Replace the community clubhouse with new community buildings.
• Replace the handball court structure with other amenities.
• Relocate existing restrooms on the south end of the park and add new, safe restrooms.
• Transitions between different park-uses have more organic edges that encourages flexibility.
• Add plaza and performance space.
• Replace parking lot with diagonal on-street parking.
• Add off-street walking and bicycle path.
• Add and expand the playground for different age groups and maximum visibility.
• Expand sports courts and fields.
• Add dog park, natural in design.
• Provide space for a community garden.