MacArthur Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids MacArthur Park
Looking towards Downtown Los Angeles
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Type	Urban park
Location	Westlake, Los Angeles
Created	1880s
Operated by	City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Status	Open all year
Public transit access	Westlake/MacArthur Park Station

Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
Designated:	May 1, 1972
Reference #:	100

MacArthur Park is a well-known park in the Westlake area of Los Angeles. It was first built in the late 1800s. The park was originally called Westlake Park. In the early 1940s, it was renamed after a famous general, Douglas MacArthur. Later, it was made a City of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument.

The lake in MacArthur Park gets its water from natural springs. However, an artificial bottom was added to the lake when the Red Line subway was built in 1993. In the past, a fountain at the north end of the park also used water from these springs. The Westlake/MacArthur Park B Line subway station is right across the street from the park.

History of MacArthur Park
- May Day Rally in 2007
- Park Improvements
Park Layout
Gallery
See also

History of MacArthur Park

A postcard view of Westlake Park from the 1900s

MacArthur Park was created in the 1880s. It was first named Westlake Park. At the same time, another park called Eastlake Park was also built in Los Angeles. Eastlake Park's lake is artificial. Westlake Park was renamed on May 7, 1942. Eastlake Park was renamed Lincoln Park.

Both Westlake and Eastlake Parks, along with Echo Park, were originally water reservoirs. They were part of the city's old water system, called Zanja Madre. When the city switched to a new water pipe system, these smaller reservoirs were no longer needed. So, they were turned into beautiful parks for everyone to enjoy.

The park was named after Henricus Wallace Westlake. He was a doctor from Canada who moved to Los Angeles around 1888. He lived in the area and gave some of his land to the city for the park.

In the mid-1800s, the area was a swampy place. But by the 1890s, it became a popular vacation spot. Many fancy hotels were built around it. In the early 1900s, the Westlake neighborhood became known as the "Champs-Élysées" of Los Angeles. This means it was a very stylish and important area.

The north part of MacArthur Park in 2015

Wilshire Boulevard used to stop at the lake. But in 1934, a raised road (called a berm) was built. This allowed Wilshire Boulevard to cross the lake and connect to Orange Street. Orange Street then became part of Wilshire Boulevard, extending into downtown Los Angeles. This change split the lake into two parts. The northern part of the lake was later drained. From the 1940s, people could rent electric boats on the lake. These boats had fun names of cartoon animal characters.

In 1956, a newspaper story reported something special. Two swans, named Rudie and Susie, had five baby swans (called cygnets) on the island in MacArthur Park Lake. The park superintendent said these were the first swans born in the park in over ten years!

For many years, Filipino World War II veterans protested in the park. They were upset because promises made to them when they joined the United States military were not kept. In 2009, as part of a government plan, these veterans received payments. Filipino veterans who were American citizens received $15,000. Those who were not citizens received $9,000.

May Day Rally in 2007

On May 1, 2007, a large rally took place in MacArthur Park. People gathered to ask for US citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Later that evening, police officers told the crowd to leave the park. There was a disagreement between some protesters and the police. An investigation was started to see if the police actions were appropriate. The police chief said that most people at the park were behaving well.

Park Improvements

The Levitt Pavilion bandshell in MacArthur Park

Starting in 2002, the Los Angeles Police Department and community leaders worked to improve the park. They added security cameras and opened a new recreation center. More businesses came to the area. A new subway station was built, and the paddle boats returned to the lake. Large community festivals also started happening. These efforts helped to lower crime rates in the area.

In 2007, the Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park opened. It offers over 50 free concerts every summer. These concerts bring families from all over the city to the park. The paddle boats also returned in 2007. They were available for rent on weekends in 2009. However, the boathouse closed in early 2010, and the paddle boats were removed. The boathouse was torn down in 2014.

The MacArthur Park bandshell was painted by local artists. Famous artists like Robert Williams and others helped. Some of their artwork was even shown in a book called Spraycan Art.

Park Layout

The park is split into two parts by Wilshire Boulevard. The southern part of the park mostly has the lake. The northern part has an amphitheatre, a bandshell, soccer fields, and a playground for kids. There is also a recreation center run by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

The bandshell used to host many events, like "Jugaremos en Familia" for the Hispanic community. The MacArthur Park bandshell was updated and is now called the Levitt Pavilion. It hosts free concerts with jazz, big band, salsa music, and world music. Since it reopened, it has hosted at least 50 free concerts each summer, from June to September.