The Place Poll

Tell us what you think of the latest batch of nominations from Great Public Spaces.

F

(Note: the descriptions below were submitted by website users and do not necessarily represent the position of Project for Public Spaces.)

Parks

Patterson Park, Baltimore, MD

"Patterson Park is a true urban park with some 1500 trees, but also has ample and visible green space (i.e. not a traditional rural-style forested park). There is an interesting mixture of "passive park" areas that were designed for strolling in the mid to late 19th century, and "active park" areas with athletic facilities beginning at the turn of the 20th century -- including the famous Patterson Park Pagoda, a 3-story tower with balconies designed as a place to see people, surrounding communities and the Baltimore Harbor."

Como Park, Saint Paul, MN

"The Park is a true multi-use urban park that features unique activities. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park is the largest glass-domed garden in the region. The garden occupies approximately one-half acre under glass and includes the seasonal Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden and the Enchanted Garden and Frog Pond to the east. First opened in 1915, the Conservatory welcomes nearly 400,000 visitors annually. In addition, the Como Zoo attracts over one million visitors annually, including thousands of children from many Minnesota schools."

Woolston Millennium Garden, Southampton, UK

"The garden comprises three landscaped areas that represent the elements of land, sea and sky; constructed in grassed earthwork, granite blocks, and resin bounded stone and blue glass. A brick path in the form of an aeroplane propeller runs across the site, unifying the space and drawing people to its focal point, a 10 metre high stainless steel and glass 'feather' sculpture. Created in collaboration with the local ship builder, Vosper Thornycroft, the sculpture symbolises the famous Spitfire plane and community friendship."

Markets

Findlay Market, Cincinnati, OH

"Findlay Market is Ohio's oldest continuously operated public market and one of Cincinnati's most cherished institutions. The Market is located just blocks from downtown in Over-the-Rhine, a dense historic neighborhood rich in 19th century architecture. Open Wednesday through Saturday, Findlay Market is home year-around to about two dozen indoor merchants selling meat, fish, poultry, produce, flowers, cheese, deli, and ethnic foods. On Saturdays from March to December the Market also hosts a thriving farmers market, dozens of outdoor vendors, numerous street performers, and lots of special events."

Main Street Market, Baton Rouge, LA

"Built within a new state garage -- but owned by private nonprofit group -- the planners added awnings, 15 outside benches, wonderful landscaping: mini kumquat trees, rosemary and other herbs, with an agricultural flair. The market has a wonderful mural of a farm scene, banners with veggies, and so on... a magnificent space. Inside the market hall is space for 12 small permanent businesses and four kitchens. One is an incubator for new food producers. The garage was built as a retail mix with garage on the top six floors and retail on the bottom floors. It has truly become a gathering place for the revitalized downtown Baton Rouge."

Streets

Pearl District, Portland, OR

"This is the model for urban neighborhoods throughout North America. It is a former industrial area, now a hip loft area with galleries and upscale shops and restaurants. The streetcar plays an important role in the success of this area. Many old brick buildings such as warehouses have been converted to housing, plus there is a lot of new construction."

Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL

"Formerly a car street, it was closed off to automobile traffic and converted into an outdoor mall. Mall is perhaps a misnomer as this is a street closed to automobile traffic and is not designed as, say, a suburban mall. Imagine if St. Marks Place in New York City were closed to automobile traffic, and you get a better picture of Lincoln Road Mall. Designed by Morris Lapidus as a luxury pedestrian mall (it was lined with designer shops including Saks), it fell into disrepair in the 1970s. After the amazing economic turnaround of Miami Beach in the late 80’s, by the mid 90s Lincoln Road Mall became an incredibly lively and successful center for shopping, socializing, and nightlife."

Buildings

John Hancock Building Plaza, Chicago, IL

"The John Hancock Building Plaza is "the place to go" when shopping on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. It was recently renovated to include an upper plaza with trees and planter seating, and a lower level plaza with a touchable water wall, a grand staircase which provides ample seating, cafe tables with movable chairs, restaurant service and a continuously changing garden display. The lower level plaza is especially popular and frequently packed with people."