Case Study: A Family Play & Fitness Space

Harbor Regional Park, Los Angeles, CA

Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park is a reborn, 231 acre oasis after a three-year, $111 million expansion/restoration project. Located on the border of Harbor City and Wilmington, it serves multiple neighborhoods and is a destination for outdoor fitness. The park features three adult fitness areas separated by color to promote rehabilitation, general fitness, and advanced fitness techniques. Adjoining the adult area is a multigenerational space where children and adults can climb, traverse, and move throughout a climbing structure of nets and man made boulders. It is across the street from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Harbor City, which sponsors several exercise clubs and classes in the park.

Organization

Primary and secondary routes of travel provide connectivity between areas within the park and encourage users to increase their physical activity.

Color

Areas intended for different exercise types are clearly identified through the use of color to create zones.

Visual Cues

Circular inserts of poured rubber are located at the main pathway entrances to inform users they are about to enter an active area.

Texture

A variety of materials are used, including brushed concrete, gravel, poured rubber, and grass to create a pleasing mix of texture within the space.