Help people find more, see more, and go further on their own.
Promote exploration right from the start, unveiling various experiences within a short walking distance or tram ride. Ensure key intersections offer a reliable discovery experience by showcasing daily programs and events, enhancing visibility, and improving wayfinding to nearby experience providers. Enhancements to pedestrian safety and comfort empower individuals to confidently navigate and explore more of the Cultural District.
Strategies to enhance exploration in the Cultural District:
- Strengthen the sense of arrival with prominent entry markers.
- Establish connective points across the Cultural District to extend journeys.
- Significantly amplify the Balboa Park tram route to enhance accessibility across the entire Cultural District.
- Enhance the availability of parking and public transportation options to facilitate easy access to the Cultural District.
Key recommendations to support people’s ability to explore the Cultural District
Add entry markers to strengthen a sense of arrival
Expand the Balboa Park tram route to increase the accessibility of the entire Cultural District
Create connective “hinges” across the Cultural District to extend journeys
Improve availability of parking and public transportation
Recommendation Highlight
1.3 Create connective “hinges” across the Cultural District to extend journeys
Hinges are reliable places located at key intersections that provide navigation information, a place to sit down, access to shade, directions to a nearby restroom, and the opportunity to pick up a snack and drink of water.
An important design consideration at key hinge intersections is also increased pedestrian safety. Hinges include busy pedestrian intersections and circulation points, such as the sidewalk in front of Spreckels Organ Pavilion and pathway connections that extend north and south from the East Prado and Bea Evenson Fountain.
By integrating features to support more comfortable and safe rest stops, hinges help propel people to do and see more of the Cultural District.
Examples of key hinge locations
We can improve the visibility and safety of key pedestrian and car intersections through clearer markings, street lighting, or both in some places (e.g., entry to Spanish Village Art Center, entry to WorldBeat Cultural Center and Centro Cultural de la Raza). These intersections include the crosswalks and streets both inside and along the perimeter of the Cultural District, including Park Boulevard, Pan American East Road between Spreckels Organ Pavilion and the Palisades, as well as smaller interior streets.
Additional safety improvements may include:
- Sidewalk widening
- Accessible supergraphics, changes in paving texture, and/or changes in pavement types (e.g., unit paving) that prioritize pedestrian traffic and slow down cars
- Clear signage
Examples of key hinge intersections that merit particular attention to increase pedestrian safety
WorldBeat Cultural Center header image c/o Stacey Keck