It's Spring and Ken Genser Square Is Looking Pretty

Deeply green Bermuda grass was rolled out mid-March in front of City Hall, signaling progress on a new park being built there.

For months, the 1-acre site has been dirt and chain-link fences, but now there are raised concrete planters displaying neat rows of Autumn moor grass, an evergreen that sprouts spikes of golden flowers in the spring, and yellow soap aloe, which has a red tinge.

"We plan to allow the landscape to grow before opening to the public," said Julie Silliman of the city's community and cultural services department. "That’s what we did with Palisades Park and we have found that it helps the plants get off to a good start."

The new park will boast a water feature and winding pathways for pedestrians. Just across the street, construction is well underway on Tongva Park, a new six-acre park north of Olympic Drive and east of Ocean Avenue.

Ken Genser Square, named after a well-liked late city councilman, will be dedicated and opened this summer. A date has not yet been set yet, but there will be a grand opening ceremony for both Civic Center parks in October.

SEE ALSO:

Ooh la la! City Hall Strips Down

Giant Cornucopia-Shaped Things at Civic Center Park

New York Times: The Civic Center 'Rejoins' Santa Monica

Council Reaches Consensus on Park Name

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