Dec. 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alice Loh, president Chinese Garden SLO
Landscape Architecture
805-543-9055
aloh@calpoly.edu
Ray Ladd
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
805-756-7432
rladd@calpoly.edu
See the Cal Poly Chinese Lion Dancers at Park Dedication Dec. 15
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Good luck, prosperity, and longevity are the likely fortune for San Luis Obispo’s newest public park – spearheaded by retired Cal Poly Landscape Architecture professor Alice Loh.
Emulating thousands of years of Chinese tradition, Cal Poly’s Chinese Student Association will perform a lion dance at the dedication of LC YC Cheng Park on Friday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m., at 1095 Marsh Street.
Mary Kennedy, wife of Cal Poly President emeritus Robert Kennedy, will lead the program, followed by Mayor Romero, Loh, and other Chinese Garden SLO board members. The event is free and open to the public. Chinese appetizers, tea and cookies will be served.
The dedication of LC YC Cheng Park is the culmination of years of collaboration between Cal Poly’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Chinese Garden SLO, the city of San Luis Obispo, local businesses and countless volunteers.
The park, formerly an empty lot on the corner of Marsh and Santa Rosa streets in downtown San Luis Obispo, commemorates the contributions of the Chinese laborers who settled along the creek starting in the mid-1870s and also supports the concept of the Downtown Plan, according to Loh.
Another reason for developing a Chinese-themed park in the lot came from one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed the Asian-influenced office building across the creek from the new park.
“Together, Wright’s building and the park form a gateway leading from the railroad depot to downtown San Luis Obispo,” adds Loh.
Following the dedication, Chinese Garden SLO members will offer public tours of the park. Highlights include a wood pavilion, called “ting,” and a granite gateway, called “paifang,” which Loh and her husband acquired during personal travels to Hang Zhou, China.
Many Central Coast carpenters and construction companies have donated time and materials to the project, but organizers still need help to finance the park. Cash donations can be sent to: Chinese Garden SLO, c/o SESLOC, P.O. Box 5360, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.
Editors/Reporters note: Alice Loh is available for exclusive pre-tours and interviews beginning Dec. 11. Contact her at 543-9055 or aloh@calpoly.edu.
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