VETERANS MEMORIAL
Hawaiian Gardens, Calif.
The memorial centerpiece is a unique "five-point" star, that measures 18' in diameter and is composed of separate granite wedges. Thirteen horizontal stripes are sandblasted into the vertical surfaces of each point to represent the thirteen stripes on the American flag. The "stars and stripes" theme is repeated throughout the plaza in the paving and walls. Bronze emblems are recessed into the tops of each star point. The star is illuminated from the center adding a dramatic profile in the evening light. The Wall of Inspiration: cut sandstone with horizontal red granite has engraved veteran selected messages, and core values of the military. Flags to represent each branch of service, plus a separate P.O.W. flag, are displayed on flagpoles that surround the memorial. The large impressive turret gun dominates the memorial setting. Drought tolerant plantings complement the polished granite memorial providing interesting textures which soften the transition of the hardscape elements with the existing landscape. There are three main elements that make this memorial unique. Much of the material used in the construction is natural stone sourced from local stone cutters. The gun was salvaged from a Navy ship. The Veterans Memorial Plaza brings a serene "sense of place" to the civic center landscape. It is a place to gather, to honor, to pay tribute, to celebrate and to reflect upon the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.

VETERANS MEMORIAL
Hawaiian Gardens, Calif.
The memorial centerpiece is a unique "five-point" star, that measures 18' in diameter and is composed of separate granite wedges. Thirteen horizontal stripes are sandblasted into the vertical surfaces of each point to represent the thirteen stripes on the American flag. The "stars and stripes" theme is repeated throughout the plaza in the paving and walls. Bronze emblems are recessed into the tops of each star point. The star is illuminated from the center adding a dramatic profile in the evening light. The Wall of Inspiration: cut sandstone with horizontal red granite has engraved veteran selected messages, and core values of the military. Flags to represent each branch of service, plus a separate P.O.W. flag, are displayed on flagpoles that surround the memorial. The large impressive turret gun dominates the memorial setting. Drought tolerant plantings complement the polished granite memorial providing interesting textures which soften the transition of the hardscape elements with the existing landscape. There are three main elements that make this memorial unique. Much of the material used in the construction is natural stone sourced from local stone cutters. The gun was salvaged from a Navy ship. The Veterans Memorial Plaza brings a serene "sense of place" to the civic center landscape. It is a place to gather, to honor, to pay tribute, to celebrate and to reflect upon the sacrifices of our veterans and their families.

MARYLAND AVENUE MINI PARK
Glendale, Calif.
This special park is one of the hundred parks funded through the state competitive grant program Proposition 84. Maryland Avenue Park is located in the historic Tropico District. The design team conducted extensive community outreach to develop a park program including opportunities for public art, historical and educational interpretive pieces, and a partnership with the local grade school to co-manage a neighborhood garden. Murals depicting historic Tropico fruit box labels, plaques with history lessons, and beautiful artistic metal gates adorn the new park. Built-in benches along a central boardwalk, an exercise area with workout stations, a picnic pavilion, and a raised bed community garden offer a great breadth of uses for this high-density, multi-ethnic neighborhood tract. Neighbors of the community are meeting each other for the first time in this wonderful park strengthening the community image and defining the new district. Residents feel safe with the park's beautiful entry gate and energy-efficient night lighting. Environmental conservation practices are demonstrated in this half-acre space. The formerly flat site has been graded to enhance visual interest and guide water run-off to the new storm water collection basin below the central boardwalk. Drought-tolerant plantings and sophisticated irrigation systems keep the park's water use low despite the small patch of luxurious grass.

STANTON CENTRAL PARK
STANTON, CALIF.
This park provides a place for the citizens to come together and also creates a forum to strengthen relationships with the regional community. Recreational amenities and facilities for baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, skateboarding and fitness training gather athletes of all kinds to this special park. A rolling landscape makes the park fun to wander in and explore the open space and swaths of water-wise gardens and trees. Drought tolerant and native trees, shrubs, succulents and groundcovers, in conjunction with state-of-the-art water-wise irrigation systems showcase the natural beauty that thrives in our Southern California climate. The butterfly garden inspires a sensate awareness of ecological systems at play in nature. Community art, plenty of benches and tables, covered picnicking areas, and open swaths of grass facilitate social gathering for the Stanton community. For the first time, Stanton has a place to host large-scale events like summer concerts to attract residents and visitors.