Tongva Park in Santa Monica is a drought-tolerant Eden

Native and drought-tolerant plants complement the clean lines of bridges and pathways in Tongva Park. The landscape design is by James Corner Field Operations, based in New York City, which also designed Manhattan's High Line park.

Native and drought-tolerant plants complement the clean lines of bridges and pathways in Tongva Park. The landscape design is by James Corner Field Operations, based in New York City, which also designed Manhattan’s High Line park.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Plant shapes are echoed in the cages that jut out from the western edge of the park with platforms for viewing Santa Monica Bay and the pier. The park opened in October 2014.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Plants that flower in different seasons keep the park colorful and visually interesting.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

In what was once a paved parking lot, now gardens of agaves grow.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Fiery bitter aloe blooms amid a variety of succulents.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Plants form patterns within a design that incorporates pathways, fountains and sculptures.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Vibrant bougainvillea ‘James Walker’ pops out against native grasses and agave.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

The design team added hills and hollows to the flat surface. Within the park, the foliage and a sunken throughway mute the noise of the 10 Freeway as it curves into Pacific Coast Highway.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Red Peruvian lilies grace the park. The city spends about $100,000 per year on maintenance.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Recirculated water is used in this waterfall the forms a shallow stream in Tongva Park.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Monica's Tongva Park

Black tree aeoniums surround a northern sharkskin agave in a hilly section of the park.

  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)