MacArthur Park, Urban park in Westlake district, Los Angeles, US.
MacArthur Park is a green space in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, divided by Wilshire Boulevard into southern and northern sections. The southern section surrounds a lake fed by natural springs, while the northern part holds sports fields and a recreation center.
The former swampland was developed as Westlake Park in the 1880s and served as a retreat for the growing city. In the 1940s it received its current name in honor of General Douglas MacArthur.
The park's name honors a World War II American general, while its monuments commemorate freedom fighters from different nations. Visitors often see families picnicking under palm trees and groups playing soccer on the lawns or relaxing by the water.
The Westlake/MacArthur Park metro station sits right at the grounds and offers easy access to all sections. Visitors will find playgrounds, soccer fields, and a boathouse that rents paddle boats for trips on the lake.
The lake bottom was artificially installed in 1993 during construction of the Red Line metro to protect the tunnel below. Boat rides on the water therefore glide over an engineering structure that distributes weight evenly.
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