Editing LOVE Park (section)

== Redesign ==

The park's 2016-2018 redesign, led by Hargreaves Associates with OLIN, transformed the deteriorating plaza while maintaining the LOVE sculpture's central position. The new design replaced the previous multi-level layout with a simplified surface that provides flexibility for varied programming. An interactive fountain, seasonal food vendors, and improved seating create amenities that attract users throughout the year. The design preserves views to City Hall and along the Parkway while creating a more welcoming environment than the previous plaza provided.<ref name="hine"/>

The redesign included a dedicated skateboarding area at the park's edge, acknowledging the activity's historical association with the site while separating it from other uses. This compromise satisfied neither skateboarding purists, who preferred the original architecture, nor those who wished to eliminate skateboarding entirely. The solution demonstrates the difficulty of resolving competing claims to public space, where different groups value the same location for incompatible reasons.<ref name="gallery"/>