Gehl projects
Making places for bringing people together in Lexington SplashJAM — Lexington is a creative capital with anticipated growth and a unique influence from the universities. Development in Lexington is happening fast and potential for a thriving public life is there. It is an important moment for the city to understand how Lexingtonians' priorities can pave the way for the city’s transformation. To leverage this time of growth, the Lexington Downtown Development Authority hired Gehl in 2015, to conduct city-wide assessment of the public realm. Gehl conducted a far-reaching PSPL (Public Space and Public Life) Survey of the city to observe and measure life downtown, and ultimately to indicate how the city might invest in new infrastructure projects. The PSPL allowed us to better understand what life is like for Lexingtonians and how the city can lead their transformation.
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Through the survey, we identified needs for the city as well as what was already happening. We saw that local children were often found playing in a water fountain in Thoroughbred Park. Rather than restricting this otherwise unlawful behavior, Gehl worked with stakeholders to identify the demand for water-play and locate a site for play during the sweltering summer months. A site was identified that intersects four neighborhoods of differing socioeconomic demographics and presented an opportunity to test water-play as a catalyst for social mixing between disparate groups.
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Based on the demand for water-play places in the neighborhood, in 2016 the Bluegrass Community Foundation and Gehl Institute contracted a process to create a splash pad pilot project with Gehl and the DDA, in the same neighborhood where the initial play was happening. The project became SplashJAM, and included pedestrian safety improvements, park amenities, and an interactive temporary splash pad. SplashJAM addressed the local need for water-play and the connection of the surrounding neighborhoods by making a real place of activity. Gehl’s second PSPL survey of SplashJAM showed that creating a place to play was a catalyst to bringing people together from the different neighborhoods.
Products Public Life Diversity Assessment Through the PSPL we were able to gather observational data on what activities and social behaviors are taking place throughout Lexington. These findings resulted in the site identification for the prototype. User Needs Assessment Based on the survey findings, Gehl created a design brief for local designers to create the playful prototype, followed by technical assistance on the implementation process. Public Life Action Plan Gehl conducted an additional Public Life Diversity Assessment paired with communication outreach and community training sessions, allowing locals to survey other city projects in the future.