Washington Square Park Historical Analysis

Kansas City Design Center | Urban Design Studio 2013-2014

Historical Analysis

Washington Square Park

19

29

conclusion

Origins Influential Context Development City Beautiful and the Kessler System Initial Intent Site Evolution Aerials Previous Design Proposals

morpholgy

Origins and Development

05

Introduction

origins

Contents

Morphology Process Figure Ground Hydrology Rails Parks

Conclusion References

3

Introduction Since its conception in 1925, Washington Square Park has evolved along with the development of Kansas City, while retaining its permanence through the city’s various transformations. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of Washington Square Park’s history, certain aspects of the transformations in Kansas City were studied. The initial research conducted consisted of studying the origins of the park and its influential context development, as well as considering the larger scale of Kansas City and the Kessler System.

Aspects of Kansas City’s morphology were analyzed, such as the rails, hydrology, built environment, and Kessler System. By analyzing these various aspects, the objective of this booklet is to provide a thorough overview of Washington Square Park’s transformation over time.

4

origins and development

05

Origins The approximately five acre park was originally designed by the landscape architecture firm of Hare and Hare to offer a civic space to users of the new urban area. The conception of Washington Square Park began in 1921 with a need for a distinct landmark to welcome those arriving by train and money was raised for the George Washington statue for Kansas City. Several locations of the statue were recommended, but eventually went to land that was selected and acquired by the Kansas City Parks Board in 1921 as a part of the condemnation of property for what became Pershing Road. The George Washington statue was dedicated on November 11, 1925 and the land was given the name Washington Square in 1925. It was designed and developed as a key anchor park in the Kessler System, providing a civic space connection to the people using Union Station and other surrounding context.

6

Kansas City’s initial development as a city affected the origins of Washington Square Park. Initially, the economic center of Kansas City was located in the West Bottoms, site of the stockyards and original Union Depot. However, the low, flat terrain was subject to floods, especially in 1903 and 1908, forcing the Union Station to be moved to its current location. Its current location is now located at 25th Street and Grand Avenue, south of the central business district. The new location catalyzed the conception of Washington Square Park, with the purpose of the park as a green space connection with Union Station.

7

Influential Context Development The development of certain contextual elements influenced the conception and development of Washington Square Park. Notable elements include Union Station, the Liberty Memorial, and Pershing Road. Union Station and its accompanying rails cost a combined $50 million by the completion in 1914. Union Station and the traffic it attracted influenced the conception of Washington Square Park and served as a connection. With the end of World War I, there was a need to commemorate those who lost their lives in the war. Designed by Kessler, the Liberty Memorial Park was also a part of the Kessler System, connected to the nearby Washington Square Park. The memorial and park were completed in 1926. Pershing Road, the adjacent street to Washington Square Park, was redesigned by Kessler to respond to Union station. It was widened to integrate green spaces (the eventual Washington Square Park). These contextual elements served as both catalysts and influences in the conception and ongoing existence of Washington Square Park. These elements remain influential to this day.

8

City Beautiful Movement & The Kessler System The City Beautiful Movement, a national movement in the late nineteenth century, focused on bringing aesthetics to cities by improving both the park and street systems. The movement began as a way to aesthetically improve the environment of cities, while also improving civic conduct. Civic conduct and aesthetics were important for cities to respond to due to the increase in density. The City Beautiful Movement played an important role in the evolution of Kansas City through the Kessler System. As a unique characteristic of Kansas City, the Kessler System provided a system of boulevards and parkways, as well as parks to improve the overall urban environment of Kansas City. The Kessler System also shaped the growth of Kansas City, defining clear zones of commercial, industrial, and residential with its system of parks and boulevards. As an eventual, but not original component of the Kessler System, Washington Square Park served as a connection to not only Union Station, but as an anchor to the other parks within the Kessler System.

9

Initial Intent of Area Creating a Civic Center The new location of Union Station spurred ideas for the surrounding development. The location was too far from the original location for commercial expansion to bridge the gap, and too close for a secondary business district to compete with success. This is when incorporating the area into the Kessler System was considered. Considering Penn Valley Park was located blocks southwest and railroad officials were donating the land in between, it made since that the two become connected.

Having public space to the south was insisted upon by city officials to prevent saloons and similar establishments from developing, as was the case for the previous depot.

Union Station was welcomed into the fold of the City Beautiful Movement, and the idea of developing a grand civic center was also encouraged. This type of development would include a formal plaza that linked a series of buildings. This especially made sense in its location south of Union Station to boost the reputation of travelers from across the country. People also argued that existing public buildings were too dispersed. The first plan was presented in 1907, but came at a bad time.

There was a financial downfall that discouraged potential investors. In 1909 when things picked up, Jarvis hunt presented two new plans, one which resembled Kessler’s original plan shown to the right.

These plans never came to fruition for unknown reasons, however the initial intent of this area is important to its history. The idea that The City Beautiful Movement and the Kessler System encouraged projects beyond parks and boulevards to reinforce connections and serve as a basis for urban development it important.

10

Pershing Road Pershing Road is located directly south of Union Station and Washington Square Park. The road is a parkway that was developed as part of Kessler’s system of boulevards and parkways. It was started in the 1940s and completed the following decade.

Cydney Millstein and Paul Novick examine Pershing Road and its significance to the Kessler System in a National Register nomination for Kansas City Parks & Boulevards report. They offer that, “Pershing Road has to be considered in two ways. As a whole, it appears to have no historic significance in landscape architecture or in the area of community planning. But, because of its relationship to two nationally reorganized monuments of the City Beautiful Movement - Union Station and the Liberty Memorial - that part is highly significant for landscape architecture and community planning. Generally, it has lost its significance for landscape architecture because the boulevard has been so altered that nothing survives of the original designed landscape.

Similarly, in community planning, it never fulfilled its historic role as an “imperial” boulevard; it is now absorbed into Crown Center, which has given Pershing Road a new lease of life, but not in a way that preserves its historic significance. However, Pershing Road from Broadway to Main Street is highly significant as landscape architecture because it is part of a grand civic ensemble: Union Station and its forecourt to the north, and the monumental, inclined allee surmounted by Liberty Memorial to the south. Similarly, in community planning, it is part of a Beaux Arts layout exemplifying the period ideas of organizing great public monuments about great civic spaces. The space between the monuments has equal importance in communicating the historic setting and historic meaning.”

Similar to the historical plans for the creation of a civic center, it is the initial intent that makes Pershing Road important to this area. The idea that it should organize public monuments and civic spaces should be considered in future development of Washington Square Park.

11

Site Evolution The area surrounding Washington Square Park prior to its existence was known as Signboard Hill because of unattractive buildings and advertising. With the addition of Union Station the value of this area increased along with the desire to develop this land.

Visions of this development were influenced by the idea that it would be the first impression travels received upon arriving to Kansas City.

This notion resulted in the building of Liberty Memorial, Penn Valley Park, and Washington Square Park.

However, the remaining area of Signboard Hill gained a reputation for being Kansas City’s biggest eye sore. It wasn’t until 1967 that it was developed into Crown Center by the founder of Hallmark.

Date Unknown

12

Date Unknown

Date Unknown

1916

1922

1926

1927

1928

1930

13

Aerials

1920s

14

1926

1945

1950

1977

1985

15

Previous Design Proposals Through its existence, Washington Square Park has been subject to various changes and design proposals. Landscaping consisting of elm and sycamore trees was added in 1938 and a design was proposed to transform the park into a mixed use space in 1975. That project fell through, however, and concrete pavers and lampposts were the only changes made to the park. Other redesigns of the park have been proposed without coming to fruition. These proposals provide insight into the possibilities of Washington Square Park.

1925- The original layout of Washington Square Park. At this point there was a road dividing the park and the statue was located in the middle of the Southern section. There was also a significant connection to Union Station.

1925 16

1938- Plan for Improving Washington Square Park and Pershing Road.

This proposal was overseen by the Board of Park Commissioners, and conducted by W. H. Dunn. It included the addition of many elm and sycamore trees along with winding paths.

1938

1975-The parks commission proposed a major intervention as the park was in a state of disrepair. The aim was to turn Washington Square Park into an inviting mixed-use space, incorporating brick terracing, lighting, and two large projection screens for the display of indigenous art. Litte change came from these intentions due to a lack of financial support.

1975

1975-The proposal including suggestions for landscaping. Several 2005-Two differing proposals through a weekly article in the Kansas different types of trees were used throughout the park in groupings to City Star, Fantasy Retrofits, by Thomas McClanahan sought to spur help divide the space into zones. debate surrounding Washington Square Park. The first proposal bid to maintain the park. Incorporating a pond, several berms and evergreen screens to diversify the space, it accommodated a cafĂŠ on site.

2005-The second plan eliminated the park to replace it with a smaller plaza, several offices, apartments and a restaurant. Neither plans proposed in 2005 were acted upon.

1975

2005

2005

17

Introduction Since Washington Square Park is deeply rooted in the history of Kansas City, it is important to analyze the physical morphology of the city and its influence on the park. The morphology addressed includes the built environment, hydrology, rails, and the park system. By studying these aspects, the purpose is to understand its surroundings and the larger role they played in shaping Kansas City.

Comprehensive maps were compiled for each morphological aspect to reflect the transformation of Kansas City, and more specifically Washington Square Park. The figure ground shows not only the transformation of the overall built environment, but also how the built environment created a disconnect with Washington Square Park, changing its original purpose. The hydrology map reflects the transformation of Turkey Creek, changing from a natural to urban environment to adapt to the rail liens. The rail lines show the change in railroads and its influence on the site. The morphology of the Kessler System shows the relationship between Washington Square Park and other parks as well as its role in the Kessler System.

18

Figure Ground

Hydrology

morphology

Rails Parks

19

Figure Ground

1896

1909

1925

In order to make analogies regarding morphology, Sanborn Maps were compiled to create aerial maps of the years 1896, 1909, 1925, 1969, 1997, and 2013. The years were chosen due to accessibility and to reflect a broad range of Kansas City’s growth and transformation.

1969

20

1997

2013

Figure Ground: 1896-2013

Overlay of all Figure Ground Maps

21

Hydrology

1896

1909

1925

The morphology maps of hydrology in Kansas City depict the evolution of surface water and floodplains. The transformation of Turkey Creek was a direct influence on Washington Square Park, as it was eventually built over for the establishment of rail lines and Union Station.

1969

22

1997

2013

Water Conditions: 1896-2013

Overlay of all Hydrology Maps

23

Rails

1896

1909

1925

The railroad maps show how the existence of the rails have created the shape of the north edge of Washington Square Park. The shift in the hub of rails depicts the move of the main train station from the West Bottoms to its current location south of the business district. The maps also reflect both the growth and decrease in rail lines due to the automobile. This has in turn had an affect on Union Station, which was originally directly connected to Washington Square Park.

1969

24

1997

2013

Railroads: 1896-2013

Overlay of all Rail Maps

25

Parks

1896

1909

1925

It was imperative to conduct a morphology map of the Kessler System due to its influence on both Kansas City and Washington Square Park.

Its difficult to ascertain real and implied connections between the parks due to the built environment and highway infrastructure. However, these maps reflect how the green spaces have evolved and tried to maintain connections despite the infrastructure obstructions.

1969

26

1997

2013

Parks and Boulevards: 1896-2013

Overlay of all Kessler System Maps

27

Conclusion Through conducting research and analysis of the origins and morphology of both Kansas City and Washington Square Park, the objective is to have a comprehensive understanding of the development of the park and its surrounding context.

Therefore, the development of Kansas City and the Kessler System were studied as well as the influential context developments to make inferences regarding its current state. Morphology of influential aspects such as the built environment, hydrology, railroads, and the Kessler System were studied and compiled to understand the significance of the transformations and its influences of Kansas City and Washington Square Park.

Through these studies, it was discovered that Washington Square Park is deeply rooted in the history of Kansas City, having survived various contextual transformations. By realizing its original purpose as a connection to Union Station, it can be said that the park has been disconnected from its intent. With this disconnect from its purpose, the park now currently exists as leftover space.

28

Location 1018 Baltimore Avenue Kansas City, MO 64105 Phone 816.421.5232 Web http://studio.kcdesigncenter.org/

Authors Robert Armstrong Jacob Christilles Taryn Klein Cassiday Love Contributors Daniel Allen Brett Fast Calleigh Freese ChristinaHenning Mary Rogers

vkrstic@kcdesigncenter.org

rjakd2@gmail.com jpc90@ksu.edu tarynk@k-state.edu calove@k-state.edu dcoeallen@gmail.com bafast@ku.edu cjfreese@gmail.com chenning@ku.edu m012r457@ku.edu

conclusion

Instructor Vladimir Krstic

29

Kansas City Design Center | Urban Design Studio 213-2014

30

References Boutros, Janice, David Boutros, Charlotte R. White, and Deon Wolfenbarger. A Legacy of Design: An Historical Survey of the Kansas City, Missouri, Parks & Boulevards System, 1893-1940. Kansas City: KC Center for Design Education, 1995. Print.

“Green + Civic Spaces.” Kansas City Design Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. <http://kcdesigncenter.org/projects/parks-civic-spaces/>.

Landis, Margaret. The Winding Valley and the Craggy Hillside: A History of the City of Rosedale, Kansas. N.p.: n.p., 1976. Print.

McClanahan, Thomas. “Invitation to the Outdoors: Two Ways to Fill the Void of Washington Square Park.” The Kansas City Star 6 Mar. 2005: n. pag. Print.

Missouri. Parks and Recreation Department. Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Washington Square Park. By Frank Vaydik. N.p.: n.p., 1975. Washington Square Park. Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

“Missouri Valley Special Collections : Search Results: Sanborn Maps.” Missouri Valley Special Collections. The Kansas City Public Library, n.d.

Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

“Missouri Valley Special Collections : Search Results: Washington Square Park.” Missouri Valley Special Collections. The Kansas City Public Library, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

“Parks Planning and Design Services.” Parks Planning and Design Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2014. <http://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/ Depts/ ParksandRecreation/ParksPlanningandDesignServices/index.htm>.

31