City of Santa Monica

DATE:                   April 6, 2015

CONTACT:         
Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services
karen.ginsberg@smgov.net, 310-458-8310

Susan Cline, Interim Director, Public Works  
susan.cline@smgov.net , 310-458-8221

On March 31, 2015 the Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square project was honored with a National Achievement Award for Urban Design from the American Planning Association. The project was one of 12 National Achievement Award and 17 Planning Excellence Award designees out of hundreds of submissions recognized on the national stage. This award comes in addition to previous accolades earned from the Los Angeles and California chapters of the APA for achievements in urban design.

“Tongva Park used to be an underutilized urban swath of asphalt. We have unpaved a parking lot and put up Paradise. Tongva Park is a transformational project embodying excellence in urban design, offering new connectivity in anticipation of the pending arrival of light rail nearby, and providing amenities for all members of our community, both residents and visitors. We are thrilled that the APA National Awards Jury has recognized the success of this project in serving the people of Santa Monica,” said Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown.

Once a flat parking lot, Tongva Park & Ken Genser Square are a new type of urban landscape that engages visitors and restores the area’s ecosystem. Opened in 2013 after nearly 20 years of planning efforts, the parks cover 7.4 acres and offer a lush landscape featuring rolling hills, meadows and gardens that overlook the Pacific Ocean and the historic Santa Monica Pier. Social spaces are designed for quiet reflection or large community gatherings. The parks also provide physical linkages between the Civic Center and the western edge of the city. The location is just two blocks from the future terminus of the new light rail line connecting Santa Monica to various points within Los Angeles. Since opening to the public in 2013, the parks have played host to concerts on the wide lawn, picnics and celebrations of art and expression.

About the American Planning Association

The American Planning Association brings together thousands of people — practicing planners, citizens, elected officials — committed to making great communities happen. APA is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. Each year, APA recognizes outstanding efforts in planning and planning leadership. To learn more, please visit www.planning.org.

About the City of Santa Monica’s Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square

Located in Santa Monica’s Civic Center area at 1615 Ocean Avenue, Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square opened to the public in October 2013. The 7.4-acre project was designed by James Corner Field Operations in partnership with the City of Santa Monica’s departments of Community & Cultural Services and Public Works. To learn more, visit www.smgov.net/TongvaPark.