Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park

A Community Gathering Place

Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park is a 2.77-acre public space located in Berkeley, California. Landmarked in 1997, the park serves as a central gathering place for the community and hosts numerous Berkeley festivals and special events throughout the year.

The park features a large lawn area suitable for sitting and picnicking. At its center stands the Civic Center Fountain, which is based on the "Fountain of Western Waters" from the 1939 Golden Gate International Exhibition.

Art and History

A notable feature is the Peace Wall, inlaid with tiles created by hundreds of community members. This artistic installation represents the collaborative spirit of Berkeley.

Historically significant, the park's development began in 1940 when Berkeley voters passed a bond measure to acquire property for a Civic Center Plaza. The design incorporated contributions from many of Berkeley's notable architects and landscape architects, with labor provided by the federal Works Projects Administration (WPA).

In 1983, the park was renamed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., having previously been known as Provo Park during the anti-Vietnam War movement.

Surroundings and Activities

The park is surrounded by important civic buildings, including Berkeley City Hall and Berkeley High School. It serves as a popular spot for Berkeley High students to have lunch and for various community activities.

Every Saturday morning, the park hosts a farmers' market on Center Street to the north.