Destination: Arms Park Infill

Existing Conditions

Currently, this area of the Mill District has a collection of historic buildings surrounded by a massive parking lot. The northern boundary of the site is defined by the looming Bridge Street Bridge. There is a small linear green space know as Arms Park. This park has some benches, shade trees, a promenade, and a beautiful staircase that allows visitors direct access to the water of the Merrimack River. This unique amenity is not utilized as much as it could be because of the rather unpleasant environment created by the large adjacent parking lot. The narrow grass strip that currently makes up Bridge Street serves primarily as a visual and climactic buffer for the stark, and unsightly hardscape of the parking lot. There is room for improvement in the area.

DESTINATION:

ARMS PARK INFILL

ONE possible Future

The eastern edge of the Merrimack River can be improved to increase visual and physical access to the river. A site adjacent to Bridge Street Bridge offers an ideal location for a sizable public space that invites activity ranging from programmed events to informal gatherings. Additional structures can help reduce the scale of the place while creating edges that activate the space by housing first-floor commercial uses, such as cafes, facing the green. The following elements can be integrated to ensure the usability and enjoyment of the space: • Lawns that are sized, shaped, and leveled to support programmed activities. • Constructed promontories, or points where people can stand at the water’s edge to enjoy views of the river and the City. • Movable furniture . • Functional hardscape, such as raised planters with seat walls. • Terraced areas and steps leading to a plaza that together serve as an amphitheater or simply additional seating between programmed performances. • Fountains, splash pads, and other water features that add to the aesthetics and offer a cooling effect in warmer months. • Public art. • Structures and or trees to provide shade. • Buildings that bring down the scale of the millyard buildings, complement the historic architecture, and provide space for small shops and restaurants that open onto the public space.

DESTINATION:

ARMS PARK INFILL

Note: This illustration depicts a concept for the center of the site. The full range of uses that could be supported on this site could be accommodated in the developable portions of the site that lie north and south of the area pictured here.