Rancho Mirage Community Park and Amphitheater, Rancho Mirage, CA
Hermann Design Group
Rancho Mirage Community Park and Amphitheater, formerly known as Whitewater Park, was expanded from 7 to 10 acres in 2017. It is now a publicly accessible, dynamic entertainment venue that hosts a variety of live performances and offers a wide selection of recreational activities for all age groups. The master plan integrates a distinctive entry monument to create a strong visual park identifier, drawing visitors into a multi-faceted recreational space.
The amphitheater nestles into the site to maximize the stunning local mountain views. The stage and lower bowl seating area recess below grade, allowing the visible scale of the venue to be respectful of surrounding communities. The design considers sound reverberation off the mountains to maximize performance potential while also minimizing noise bleed into nearby residential areas. Unique landscaping material and specimen trees complement the building design, merging the earth and the architecture, setting the atmosphere for a memorable shared experience.
In addition to the amphitheater, the dog-friendly park includes a promenade on the perimeter of a turf lawn, promoting walkability and fostering a sense of community. The turf lawn provides space for vendors to set up food and art demonstrations during the annual Rancho Mirage Festival of the Arts and weekly Farmer's Markets during the Coachella Valley's peak season (October through May).
Active parkgoers can take advantage of pickleball courts, basketball courts, exercise stations, and a playground area, while picnic areas and an Armed Services Memorial provide passive and serene recreational opportunities. Ample parking and restroom facilities are integrated to functionally accommodate for large crowds attending special events. Shade structures and gazebos strategically placed throughout the park allow visitors to enjoy the park year-round, even during the hot summer months. The landscape design utilizes sustainable design elements such as drought-tolerant horticulture, which feature, but are not limited to, date palms, olive trees, acacia, lantana, bougainvillea, and Agave vilmoriniana.
The upcoming Parks Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. This project was not chosen for a Feature in the issue, but we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought the project deserved to be showcased online . . .
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Team:
Landscape Architect - Hermann Design Group
Architect - McAuliffe & Co. Architects
Civil Engineer - The Altum Group
Structural Engineer - B.G. Structural Engineering, Inc.
Contractor - Watkins Landmark Construction
