1980 San Bernardino Fire

This early film documents Central Park, the largest city park in Orange County, in a very early and important stage of development. Now more than 340 acres in size, it was originally a forlorn landscape featuring a gravel pit, a mushroom farm, various often boggy swamps optimistically referred to as "lakes" a helipad, a police firing range and even a bedraggled old redwood water tank. The park was designed by famed architects Eckbo, Dean, Austin and Williams, whose ecologically-driven plans transformed it into a passive natural landscape that included room for play and cultural expression as well. Completed areas and some then still under development are shown as is the exterior of the Central Library which is located on the site. Designed by the iconic architectural team of Richard and Dion Neutra, Central Library had only just been opened at the time.