Douglas Macarthur Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Douglas MacArthur Park, also known as MacArthur Park, is a public park located in the downtown area of Los Angeles, California.


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Summary

The park spans 32 acres and was named after General Douglas MacArthur. There are several reasons to visit the park including its beautiful lake, historic landmarks, and cultural events.

One of the main attractions of the park is its lake, which offers paddleboat rides and fishing opportunities. Visitors can also explore the Levitt Pavilion, an outdoor concert venue that hosts free concerts throughout the summer. The park is also home to several historical landmarks, including the MacArthur Park Westlake/MacArthur Park Metro Station and the Wilshire Bell Tower.

Interesting facts about the park include its appearance in the song "MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris, as well as its designation as a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone by the city of Los Angeles.

The best time of year to visit the park is either in the spring when the park's cherry blossoms are in full bloom, or during the summer when the Levitt Pavilion hosts its free concerts. Overall, Douglas MacArthur Park is a must-see destination for visitors to Los Angeles, offering a range of activities and attractions for all ages.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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