LargeUrbanParks

Dec 31, 2008
Dec 14, 2017

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Parks, Plazas & Central Squares LARGE URBAN PARKS

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS

CAMPUS MARTIUS PARK Detroit, Michigan (1999 - 2001)

In late 1999, PPS began working with the city of Detroit to reclaim a concrete island that was originally planned to be the heart of downtown, and the axis from which all addresses and numbered streets in Michigan began. PPS worked with the community to develop a vision for a park that would become, in the Mayor's words, the best public space in the world. PPS's design suggestions envision an entire district of public uses that will tie the park into a larger revitalization. The park is intended to be a place that attracts people day and night and that provides activities for different ages and types of groups year round. A spectacular transparent glass conservatory, a café, green space, fountains, and a space for gatherings and special events are all part of the initial vision. Around the park, sidewalks and several new buildings will be the settings for activities such as markets, performances, outdoor cafes, newsstands, and information kiosks, all designed to stimulate street activity in downtown.  Client: Detroit Mayor's Taskforce; Detroit 300.

MORNINGSIDE PARK New York, New York (1999 - 2000)

PPS worked with surrounding neighborhoods and The Friends of Morningside Park to revitalize what has long been one of New York's most troubled parks. The 30-acre Morningside Park lies on the border between residential neighborhoods and some of the city's most elite institutions, including Columbia University. PPS worked with the Morningside Area Alliance and Partnerships for Parks to conduct surveys, workshops and interviews that would create a strategy to revitalize the park and its friends group. Focusing recommendations on new activities scaled to local community uses, the plan has helped the friends win new respect and enabled new partnerships with funders, churches, schools and New York Parks and Recreation. The Friends of Morningside Park is now considered to be the model of a successful and enterprising citizens group in New York City. Funding: the J M Kaplan Fund.

LIBERTY STATE PARK Jersey City, New Jersey (1997-1998)

At 1100 acres, Liberty State Park, located on the Hudson River Waterfront, is among the nation's largest urban parks. PPS advised the Liberty State Park Development Corporation on a vision for the park to take it into the 21st century, while also identifying short and mid-term projects to get the ball rolling. PPS facilitated brainstorming sessions, conducted research into noteworthy examples of waterfront parks the world over, and developed a long-term concept plan and short-term actions.  Client: Liberty State Park Development Corporation.

CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK Atlanta, Georgia (1994)

PPS helped develop a process and guidelines to assist the Georgia World Congress Center in reviewing proposed gifts of public art for inclusion in the Centennial Olympic Park that was being developed for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. This process defined eligible artists and projects, and identified local advisors to review of gifts of public art.  Client: Georgia World Congress Center.

CENTRAL PARK Tabor, Czech Republic (1993)

PPS worked to assist the historic old town of Tabor with its extraordinary public spaces to find ways of attracting residents and tourists alike. The project was centered in a major but neglected and under-utilized park located adjacent to a historic district. Projects guided by PPS included a market, rowboat rental, cultural events planning, and small-scale public space improvements designed to reactivate the park and attract people, and to raise money to fund park management activity.  Funding: Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

CITY COMMONS MASTER PLAN Orlando, Florida (1987-89)

PPS prepared a master plan for a new mixed-use government complex, including a new city hall, commons, and commercial office space in downtown Orlando. The area was underdeveloped, although it housed the existing city hall and Orlando Public Commission complexes. The project was initiated by the City of Orlando, which viewed the need to expand its city hall offices as an opportunity to spur redevelopment of the surrounding area in partnership with the private sector. PPS's role was to develop a site plan and guidelines, review development proposals, help select an architect, and review the project as it was being designed. The City Hall and plaza opened in 1991. In addition, a special zoning district is being established to guide and coordinate future development of retail, cultural uses, and additional office space in the area.  Client: Orlando Downtown Development Board.

TOWN LAKE PARK Austin, Texas (1986)

PPS worked with a consultant team of landscape architects, architects, hydrologists, traffic engineers, and economic planners to develop a master plan for the parklands around Austin's Town Lake and to establish guidelines for the development of adjacent public and private land. PPS studied the use made of the parklands surrounding the Lake, which is a 6-mile body of water that runs through the city. Issues studied included public access to the waterfront, pedestrian paths and circulation throughout the parklands, and density and distribution of use.  Client: City of Austin.

FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK Queens, New York (1985-86)

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PPS conducted a comprehensive user analysis of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the second largest park in New York City and the site of two World's Fairs. The results of this analysis included recommendations and priorities for future planning, including the establishment of a management organization for the park, improvements to circulation, parking and access, and layout and design of new activity centers in the park. The plan also included recommendations for short-term, easily made changes such as signage, lighting, landscaping, and amenities. Funding: New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

FAIRMOUNT PARK SYSTEM Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (l98l-82)

With 8,000 acres of parkland in the form of downtown plazas, wooded picnic areas, parks in declining neighborhoods and extensive recreation facilities, the Fairmount Park System is the largest city park system in the world. Under a federal grant, the City of Philadelphia undertook a comprehensive Grounds Maintenance Study of the park system. PPS conducted a survey of park use in order to help determine uses and regulations, and to rethink park programs and maintenance schedules to address specific problems such as litter, vandalism, personal security, and design of picnic areas and playgrounds.  Funding: City of Philadelphia.

CENTRAL PARK MALL New York, New York (l980-8l)

As a member of the design team for the Mall Restoration Project, PPS analyzed current use of this central gathering space in the park. By comparing patterns of use and current management of the area with research on the changes in the design of the Mall over the last one hundred years, it became evident that the Mall was not functioning as a promenade. PPS made a film that documents the changes in the design as a response to changing social and cultural preferences for entertainment in parks. The film was used extensively to build support for the proposed design changes that evolved naturally from the study. Funding: New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY

CENTENNIAL PARK Sydney, Australia (1995)

PPS trained the Sydney Parks Department and community members in PPS techniques to help perform a user analysis study and develop a plan for making small-scale improvements to Sydney's Centennial Park. The training process that PPS conducted involved both Parks Department personnel and community people in learning about and taking part in data collection activities, such as observations, interviews, vehicle and bicycle counts, as well as in evaluating potential changes and formulating new uses and improvements. This project, whose aim was to make the park more user-friendly for children and families, was done in connection with Sydney's Year of the Child.   Client: City of Sydney Parks Department.

USER ANALYSIS: AN APPROACH TO PARK PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT (1981-82)

PPS wrote and produced this handbook under a grant from the Heritage Conservation Recreation Service (now a part of the National Park Service). The book, which discusses the value of user analysis in park planning, was written for landscape architects and park planners as well as for park management and maintenance personnel. It describes the specific role user analysis can have in park planning and presents case studies of several PPS projects in different types of parks. In addition, the handbook includes a "how-to" section on the various observation, interview and super 8mm time-lapse techniques that PPS has developed and used in park analysis. The book was published by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Funding: National Park Service.

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