Downtown L.A.’s Grand Park

Dancers perform in the renovated Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain during the ceremony marking the opening of Grand Park. The hour-long event also included live music, a reading from California’s poet laureate and speeches from city and county leaders, who called the 12-acre park a major milestone in downtown’s revitalization. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

July 24, 2012 7:47 PM PT

After a $56-million renovation, a 12-acre rectangle from the top of Bunker Hill to the base of City Hall is christened as L.A.’s Grand Park, providing downtown with its first sizable amount of open space.
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Los Angeles politicians and billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad took off their dress shoes and celebrated together in the renovated Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain on Thursday to cap off the opening of Grand Park. From left are Bea Hsu, vice president, development, Related California (Related Cos. funded the new park); Councilwoman Jan Perry, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Supervisor Gloria Molina, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Supervisor Don Knabe, Broad and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The crowd is reflected in the wading pool during the official opening of two blocks of the new Grand Park. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dancers and dignitaries celebrate during the opening ceremony. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Dancers perform during the ceremony. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Drummers take part in the festivities. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Lucas Rivera, 4, of Los Angeles cools off in the wading pool at Grand Park. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The Grand Park begins on the top of Bunker Hill along Grand Avenue with a dramatic view of a renovated Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain and the tall white crest of Los Angeles City Hall. The fountain is programmed to run a colorful light show. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles City Hall stands as a backdrop to the renovated Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain in the new Grand Park. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The new Grand Park is at the right as dusk descends on downtown. The photograph was shot from the top of City Hall. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Steps in the park lead up to Grand Avenue on Bunker Hill. The 12-acre rectangle has been renovated at a cost of $56 million. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Grand Park, as seen from the top of City Hall, has been likened to a “green room’ in the middle of downtown Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

City Hall, peeking through lavender, stands at the lower end of Grand Park. “This can be L.A.’s Central Park,” Howard Sherman, chief operating officer of the Music Center, said. “It connects L.A. in a way that has never happened before.” (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Park features include pink movable chairs and tables, an interactive fountain and ample electronic hookups for concerts and community events. Grand Park provides downtown with its first sizeable amount of open space. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)