An exit salute: Construction to begin on San Pedro's 'see ya' plaza

It’s been nearly 10 years since San Pedro opened its Welcome Park on the west side of Gaffey Street, designed to greet motorists exiting the 110 Freeway with landscaping, trees and flags.

This summer, construction will begin on a companion effort — dubbed the “exit” park — using a vacant parcel on the east side of Gaffey Street at Ofarrell Street where motorists drive onto the northbound 110 Freeway or the Vincent Thomas Bridge heading out of town.

It also will get a more formal (and much longer) name; The Los Angeles Sister Cities Plaza at Exit Park in San Pedro.

Purchased by the city several years ago, the property — adjacent to the newly lighted but historic “San Pedro” footbridge that was rededicated by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in December 2014 — has undergone cleanup to prepare it for construction, which is expected to take four to six months.

Included will be landscaping, lighting — and, in the spotlight, the flags of Los Angeles’ 25 sister cities illuminated at night.

Designed by the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks, the plaza “is a testament to the intercoectivity of Los Angeles — a constant reminder of both the global impact Los Angeles makes and the countless lives from around the world who helped build this great city,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino.

The plaza is designed to symbolize San Pedro’s gateway role with the Port of Los Angeles.

Landscaping will include drought-tolerant and Califoia native trees and plants. They will form a dense canopy over the pedestrian walkways that will be lined with native pereials and succulents.

Among L.A.’s sister cities are Ischia, Italy; Split, Croatia; and Nagoya, Japan.

San Pedro’s Welcome Park opened in 2007.