Landscape Architect Articles

Palm Desert, CA03-01-93 | News

Palm Desert, CA

A Sense of Oasis

Civic Center Park in Palm Desert was designed to display exquisite public art. This oasis in the desert provides the perfect backdrop for David Phelps?EUR??,,????'??? sculpture of ?EUR??,,????'??The Dreamer?EUR??,,????'?? who seems to be resting at ease and providing an example for all to follow!

It lies 110 miles due east of Los Angeles, 14 miles southeast of Palm Springs, and in the shadow of the 10,000-foot San Jacinto mountains. With boutiques, hotels and 100-plus world-class golf courses, it attracts vacationers and retirees from California and around the world.

The city is Palm Desert, California. And when this upscale community of 25,000 was ready to develop a central municipal park on 70 acres adjoining City Hall, city leaders knew they wanted something special.

Water fountain adds to the image of a fertile oasis amidst the dry, desert sand. As with the unique sculpture in the previous photo, it adds to the ambience of the park and enhances visual pleasure. Art pieces, like the ?EUR??,,????'??Palm Desert Peace Memorial?EUR??,,????'?? by Ross Andrews and Marton Varo are not necessarily permanent residents of the park as the displays change periodically throughout the year.

They got what they wanted ?EUR??,,????'??? in their $10 million Civic Center Park.

?EUR??,,????'??All of the structures and materials were chosen for quality down to the last detail,?EUR??,,????'?? says Jeff Rupp, project manager for David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA), the professional services consulting firm that acted as the prime consultants for the project. ?EUR??,,????'??We used a central lagoon with fountains and waterfalls as a dramatic centerpiece, then surrounded it with jogging trails, recreation facilities, grassy open areas and almost a million dollars in plantings.?EUR??,,????'??

The park included all the amenities of a first-class municipal park including a 2,000-seat amphitheater, rose garden, arboretum and oak grove, tennis and volleyball courts, baseball and soccer fields, and areas to show off the city?EUR??,,????'???s permanent art collection. ?EUR??,,????'??Among other things, this park is designed to be the premier display area for public art in the city,?EUR??,,????'?? says Kim Rhodes, DEA?EUR??,,????'???s landscape architect on the project.

Serenity in Civic Center Park is enhanced by the sound of a rambling stream flowing throughout the greenbelt. Majestic in its beauty, this showcase oasis exemplifies both the upscale community and a gentler, more relaxing way of life.

The Landscape Architects specified damage-resistant materials for paving, benches and facilities; drought-tolerant plants and xeriscape techniques to minimize water use; and biological water quality controls to protect users and local wildlife. Plantings include native and imported varieties, from cassias, leucophyllum, bougainvillea and ornamental grasses to golden barrel cactus, ocotillo and shoestring acacia.

For individuals, families and group events, three picnic pavilions (expanded from the plan?EUR??,,????'???s original single pavilion due to heavy use) provide over 7,000 square feet of space. Shade areas are provided for parents near the park?EUR??,,????'???s tot lot and play park, and 12-foot-wide, lighted jogging trails meander throughout. Volleyball and tennis courts are now open while four baseball and soccer fields are scheduled for completion this year.

Rupp points out other advanced features of the park, including innovative precast concrete designs for the park?EUR??,,????'???s three pedestrian bridges and a state-of-the art electronic control system for all irrigation and lighting.

City officials say they?EUR??,,????'???re very pleased with the work and members of the community have responded enthusiastically to their new park. ?EUR??,,????'??We wanted a firm that would incorporate engineering and landscape architecture,?EUR??,,????'?? says Alan Smith, project management consultant for the Department of Public Works at the City of Palm Desert. ?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???ve been very pleased with the results we?EUR??,,????'???ve gotten with the Civic Center Park and our community has been, too.?EUR??,,????'??