Group formed to "Re-Envision Pershing Square" now seeks to restore it

Dear Friend of Pershing Square, Thank you for signing the petition supporting the restoration of the historic 1910 John Parkinson design for L.A.'s oldest downtown park. When we launched this petition, it was in response to a civic proposal to "re-envision" the park with yet another new design--the fourth since the beloved Parkinson plan was bulldozed to put in underground parking in 1951. While we support the notion of changing Pershing Square for the better, we don't believe that another all-new vision is necessary. The fine original designs deserve another chance to shine. There hasn't been any news about the proposed "re-envisioning" of the park since November, when three community meetings were held by the Pershing Square Task Force. In April, architect John Parkinson was honored with the official dedication of a Square in his name, at the corner of Spring and Fifth Streets. Earlier today, the Pershing Square Task Force re-branded itself as Pershing SquaReNew -- "a non-profit dedicated to supporting and facilitating the park's revitalization--along with a number of efforts that will not only restore Pershing Square, but place Los Angeles on the map of inspiring, world-class public spaces." Yes, you read it here first: the Pershing Square Task Force, formed to "Re-Envision Pershing Square," has changed its name and re-dedicated itself to the very different task of "Restoring" the park! We will reserve judgement until we hear more about what this new non-profit has planned, in a presentation at Pershing Square on Wednesday, September 17 at 9am. But we can't help but think that each one of your signatures on this petition, your passionate social media comments, your belief in the possibility and necessity of a restored Pershing Square has all helped change the dialogue around this great park's future. Thank you and congratulations! 
 Please join us at Pershing Square next Wednesday morning to hear the announcement of how Pershing SquaReNew proposes to restore the park. Following the announcement, we invite you to join us and John Parkinson's biographer Stephen Gee for a free walking tour of nearby Parkinson buildings. Here are links with all the details: http://lavatransforms.org/pershingsquarenew https://www.facebook.com/events/294106514131371/ 
 For more information about the historic park, the petition and what comes next, please visit: http://restorepershingsquare.blogspot.com And finally, we'd like to invite you to join LAVA - The Los Angeles Visionaries Association, a loose knit group of people with a passion for L.A. history, art and culture. We host a slew of cultural programs, including award-winning literary Salons, forensic science seminars, Skid Row history walks, Broadway walking tours and many more events which we think you'll enjoy. Check out the calendar, or sign up for the newsletter, at http://www.lavatransforms.org yrs, 
Kim Cooper & Richard Schave 
LAVA - The Los Angeles Visionaries Association