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Completed Projects
Veterans Parkway
This curving corridor of Wilshire Boulevard is bordered by Veteran Avenue on the east and San Vicente Boulevard on the west. In 1994, Veterans Park Conservancy led a collaborative, multi-jurisdictional effort to designate this busy thoroughfare as “Veterans Parkway”—appropriately renamed on the 50th anniversary of D-Day.
Veterans Park Conservancy planted over 600 Jacaranda, Palm, Pepper and Camphor trees along the Parkway—greening the 405 Freeway entrance, exits and adjacent sidewalks.
This improvement influenced the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works to plant 55 new Jacaranda trees—also known as the “Cherry Blossoms of the West”—on a cobblestone median in Wilshire Boulevard.
After the tragic events of September 11th, a patriotic tribute of 100 American flags was installed through the efforts of the Veterans Park Conservancy, the Los Angeles VAMC and the County of Los Angeles. At the dedication ceremony in October 2001, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky declared that, from that point forward, the American flag would be the only flag or banner allowed on Veterans Parkway.
A wonderful opportunity now exists for a generous benefactor, civic-minded group or foundation to maintain these magnificent flags. Although the cost is minimal, it has become prohibitive for either the government entities or the nonprofit VPC to replace these on a sustained basis. As a consequence, the flags have temporarily been taken down. We invite any committed citizens to contact the VPC so that this dramatic and stirring view of 100 “Old Glories” can be restored and visible once again.
When the plans to illuminate the parkway are completed, this once-bleak roadway will become the Pennsylvania Avenue of Los Angeles. Winding through the Veterans/Federal property, it will further distinguish the entire area as a place of national meaning… and honor.
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