What’s behind all those curving stainless steel panels on Disney Hall? I was surprised to find out that there is a complicated iron structure, a secret path and beautiful garden in the sky.
I’m not sure how I managed to miss it, but all this is designated as a California State Park–actually more of a garden–with a winding aerial pathway that wraps all the way around Disney Hall, high above the street level. The garden is charming and the views are spectacular.
The entrance is at 2nd and Grand Avenue where 60 stairs take you up to the garden. Not up for that number of stairs? There is an elevator in the building you can use. There are docent tours, too. Here is some of what I saw on a warm Sunday afternoon.
At the top of 60 stairs is a kind of walking mediation spiral that a father and his two children were racing around. The woman in blue was walking intently–she looked as if she was late to a meeting.
A Rose for Lily fountain
At the heart of this garden is a fountain is called “A Rose for Lily” in honor of Lillian Disney, Walt Disney’s widow, who was the true moving force behind Disney Hall.
While it may be designated as a rose, it reminds me of a fantasy water lily. The water trickles slowly from one petal to the next. It’s very peaceful–not the kind of fountain that shoots water up into the air.
I eavesdropped on a tour as a docent gave detailed information about the Delft porcelain used on the fountain. I wonder how many plates and how many saucers the artist smashed and which patterns he used used. Were any of them salvaged Delftware? Or all of them new?
The plants in the rooftop garden are all drought tolerant and beautiful! It seems a world away from the high rise office buildings in the surrounding blocks. Nestled here and there are chairs and tables perfect for a secluded lunch or conversation.
A hidden walkway around Disney Hall
The view down Grand Avenue from the Disney Hall aerial pathway, which winds up and down and around the entire building. On the photo on the left you can see one corner of the Broad Museum which is right across the street. In the center image is Los Angles City Hall as seen from a high point on the aerial pathway around Disney Hall. And behind the spectacular architecture is an enormous iron structure that holds all those curved panels in place.
A photographer at work in another curving corner of the garden. There were several photographers at work taking photos of couples and families. It is a popular place for young couples to have their photograph taken when they get engaged. Tourists like it too.
And yet another surprise was the existence of a small amphitheater on the roof of Disney Hall. I wonder what it is used for?
Just another surprise in a building we all think we know well.
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