BCJ aspired to provide a true civic gathering place that would meet the cultural aspirations of the seaside town. The site consists of two parcels of parkland separated by a nine-lane east–west thoroughfare, San Miguel Drive. The northern portion features a dog park, walking trails, and bioswales. The largest of the four bridges crosses San Miguel Drive, leading visitors south to the main park, which features a children’s play area, a continuation of the trails (for 1.2 mi in total), protected wetlands, and the landscape bridges, which cross the wetlands. The main civic center area lies south of the park. To the west are the city council chambers, the community room, and the city hall; to the east, separated by a landscaped space known as the Civic Green, is the new parking structure. Farther south of these structures is a branch of the public library, and an expansion of this building on the side facing the Civic Green was part of the overall project. (See the illustration on pages 76 and 77.)