Creating Space for Relaxation, Reflection, Community
New decorative shade structures at Bonsall Park are providing protection from the sun’s rays, making this small oasis at the West LA VA more comfortable for Veterans, staff and guests.
The pocket park, which officially opened on Earth Day, 2021, is part of the property’s transformation into a fully supportive and connected community for Veterans with housing, healthcare, supportive services and areas for recreation and relaxation.
The seven sturdy metal pergolas feature patterns that allude to the positive and negative space in nature and evoke branches on trees. The patterns provide visual interest as well as light filtration and airflow to take advantage of the ocean breeze, a bonus of West LA VA’s geographic location. Additionally, the visual privacy created by the semi-enclosed space encourages a sense of solace and an opportunity for reflection.
“Great design lifts the spirit and is something which everyone should have access to,” said Ronnie Primavera, supervisory interior designer with the VA’s Office of Environmental Management Services. “We hope that Veterans and staff use it as not only outdoor respite, but as a functional space for a small gathering during lunch, an impromptu meeting at one of the three tables or to host a mid-scale event. It’s a beautiful area that we wanted to bring attention to by providing an element that added to its versatility of use and hope these shade structures have transformed it into a destination.”
A combination of drought-tolerant native plants comprised of trees, shrubs, flowers, and succulents were added to the landscape to complement the meandering walking-path that is dotted with seating and dining areas, encouraging users to explore and be present in the environment. A monument identifying the park is being planned, but already installed are interpretive signs for the various plants, water fountains and accommodations to all the various spaces for wheelchairs.
Primavera and her team were charged with making the pocket park on Bonsall Avenue near Wilshire Boulevard a more frequented space following its expansion. The park was a by-product of an environmental remediation project with the purpose to remove an old, underground fuel storage tank that had been filled with concrete and covered over with dirt.
By default, it also provided environmental benefits by reusing 750 cubic yards of debris – the equivalent of 50 dump trucks – for back-fill for various other renovation efforts throughout the property. Having access to fill on-site led the project to reduce the carbon footprint for other projects by eliminating the transport of material from off-site and reducing the budget costs associated with both that transport and purchase of material.
“The park is one of the first things you see when you drive onto the north campus,” said Marla Echeverria, project manager and interior designer, and an expert in destination creation, who managed the project. “We wanted it to be a focal point, a visual cue that welcomes Veterans, staff and guests and provides a sense of hospitality.”