In February 2024, the Port of Los Angeles opened the $77.3 million Wilmington Waterfront Promenade, a nine-acre project creating a “window on the waterfront” for the community, the first park in Wilmington that is adjacent to the water, in a previous industrial area. Located along the water’s edge of Berths 183-186 at the Port of Los Angeles and adjacent to Banning’s Landing Community Center, the new open space development features three distinct visitor experience areas: the promenade, the bluff and the upland expanse. Each visitor-friendly area includes unique seating and views of the water, convenient pet stations, drinking fountains and trash/recycling receptacles. The site has a 159-space parking lot.
The promenade measures approximately 1,300 feet in length and incorporates a variety of seating, including swing benches with shade structures, precast terraced tidal seat steps crafted of Onyx stone, and a plaza area with additional seats. Connected to the promenade is a new 5,400 square foot public pier with picnic tables over the water, and a 120-foot public floating dock to accommodate visitor-serving vessels. Lighted waterfront railings provide ambiance and visibility.
Above the promenade is the bluff and open space area, featuring swing benches with waterfront views. A highlight of the bluff is a play area, complete with mountaineering ropes, climbing nets, rockers and a custom tower slide. Integral colored concrete and concrete pavers accent the space, with three 45-foot-tall floodlight poles illuminating the area. The upland expanse features pedestrian and bicycle trails, and seating with elevated views of the Wilmington Waterfront.
Completion of the new Wilmington Waterfront Promenade project sets the stage for the next-phase public access improvement project planned for Wilmington by the Port. The Avalon Pedestrian Bridge and Promenade Gateway is slated to start construction in 2025 and create another 12 acres of new open space for the Wilmington community, while also connecting Harry Bridges Boulevard and Avalon Boulevard to the LA Waterfront.