Renovation of John Hinkel Park and Amphitheater

Berkeley, CA | historic
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ELS worked with the City of Berkeley and PGA Landscape Architects on the restoration of this beloved park and historic 300-seat amphitheater.

Located in a beautiful hillside grove, the park now includes a new picnic area and playground, a newly accessible pathway linking key areas of the site, and reconfigured parking. The renovated park has a robust planting plan, new underground drainage infrastructure, an irrigation system, and safety fencing around the playground.

The park’s amphitheater, once home to the California Shakespeare Festival and now used by multiple local theatre ensembles and youth acting camps, has seen significant upgrades. We oversaw the enhancement of the performance and seating area to provide handrails at the amphitheater stairs, supplemental power, new attachment points for rigging, storage for set pieces, and improved accessibility for all performers. The reconstructed seating is made of blocks that were formed from recycled concrete. Additional improvements include engineered wood for an accessible playground, the restoration of the historic stone fireplace apron, and the introduction of decomposed granite for an accessible picnic area.

Project Stats
  • Client

    City of Berkeley

  • Size

    4.9 acres

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