Pershing Square Park
Rate this placeNearby: Grand Hope Park City Hall Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Pershing Square Park is a public park located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, California.
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Summary
It is named after John J. Pershing, a general in the United States Army. The park is known for its unique design, which includes a central fountain, a performance area, and an iconic bell tower.
Some of the top reasons to visit Pershing Square Park include its central location, cultural events and festivals, and its historical significance. The park is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, and it is often used for concerts, movie screenings, and other outdoor events.
One of the most notable points of interest in Pershing Square Park is the bell tower, which was originally built in 1926. The tower features four bells, each of which weighs over a ton, and it is a popular spot for taking photos and enjoying panoramic views of the city.
Other points of interest in the park include the reflecting pool, the sculpture garden, and the public art installations. The park also features a playground, a splash pad, and numerous benches and picnic areas.
Interesting facts about Pershing Square Park include its history as a gathering spot for political rallies and protests, as well as its association with the Beat Generation literary movement of the 1950s and 60s. The park has also been featured in numerous movies and television shows over the years, including "Chinatown" and "Blade Runner."
The best time of year to visit Pershing Square Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and there are often cultural events and festivals taking place in the park. However, the park is open year-round and is a popular spot for outdoor activities and picnics during the summer months.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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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