Lucinda Garcia Park
Project Details
Address: 502 W Olive Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016
Owner: City of Monrovia
City Project Manager: Tina Cherry
Playground Design: RecWest, RHA & LSI
Construction and Installation: KASA Construction and Tot Lot Pros
Products: Landscape Structures Inc Play Equipment, SkyWays Shade Equipment, DuMor site furnishings, SpectraTurf unitary rubber surfacing
Photos by: Anna Alverio
Project Summary
WINNER: 2023 California Park and Recreation Society Award of Excellence for Park Planning and Design!
To recognize the rich Latino heritage in Monrovia, this park is named after Lucinda Valentine Garcia, an activist and a long-time resident in Monrovia that made an extraordinary positive impact on the community by dedicating her life to achieving racial equality. A kind and generous woman, Mrs. Garcia was willing to stand up for those who might not be able to stand up for themselves.
The new Landscape Structures playground was created in 2022 as a part of the park’s first renovation in over 40 years. The fenced play area for 2-5-year-olds is designed to honor the area’s historic Pacific Electric “Redline” Train and the tracks that ran along this exact site many decades ago with a playful Redline-styled play structure with shade, Ticket Booth with accurate historical route times, and toddler swing set—all on rubberized safety surfacing from SpectraTurf with “train tracks”. There is a separate fenced play area for 5-12-year-olds with a custom shaded 10’ play tower, realistic rock climbing wall, Belt-Zone cable climber and elevated pathway, Cozy Dome hideaway climber, and swing set with both individual and group seat options.
Funded through state and county grants and other local resources, the renovation includes an expansion to the park site plus construction of the two play areas, enhanced park walkways and lighting, fitness areas, interpretive gardens, a mural and an entry sign monument. Amenities include new picnic tables, benches, drinking fountains, barbeques and a walking trail loop around the park.