Programming: Green and Civic Space in Downtown Kansas City

PROGRAMMING GREEN AND CIVIC SPACE IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY, 2011

KANSAS CITY DESIGN CENTER Urban Design Studio 2011-2012 Jesiy Brown Caitlin Husman Tim Michael Sara Wilbur

Tiffany Cartwright Niki Kubas Zach Seamon

Edited By Caitlin Husman The Kansas City Design Center supports educational initiatives that help build public awareness of the factors that influence the character of the public realm.

The KCDC also works to strengthen the educational experience of future design practitioners by engaging university faculty and students with real-world issues facing Kansas City’s built environment.

Our educational programs are built around our resident urban design studio, through which faculty and students form partnerships with local client groups to develop design concepts and implementation proposals addressing major architectural, urban design and urban planning issues throughout metropolitan Kansas City. The KCDC also coordinates and facilitates academic studio projects by faculty from our affiliated programs.

Copyright 2012 Kansas City Design Center Urban Design Studio.

All rights reserved.

CONTENTS GREEN AND CIVIC SPACE IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS CITY, 2011

introduction current conditions public feedback case studies proposed programming appendix

feedback

This programming document is a part of the project that Urban Design Studio at Kansas City Design Center is working with Kansas City Parks and Recreation and the Kansas City Green Space Committee. Currently, Kansas City parks and civic spaces are not meaningfully integrated into the urban order of the city and are not adequately contributing to the quality and livability of the urban environment. The purpose of the project is to rethink, reconsider, and re-envision the idea and definitions of those spaces and their relationship. The plan aims to provide a constructive vision for an ordered and related system of urban spaces that will enhance functional and spatial cohesion of the downtown area and serve as an instrument for qualitative change and development.

This document is structured on the basis of five main parts: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Definition of the working concept of green and civic space Inventory analysis of the existing green and civic space in the study area Public survey of the current state of the existing green and civic spaces Examination of case studies for an expanded understanding of the realm of possibilities for improved public space in Kansas City A proposal for the programming of Kansas City parks and civic spaces based on an exploration of the programmatic attributes that embody parks

In order to address project issues it is necessary to explore ideas and concepts that define notions of green and civic space. Parks are defined as ”enclosed areas for public recreation, usually large and ornamentally landscaped area especially in or adjoining a city” (Oxford 2564). Civic spaces are “areas of or pertaining to the city or citizenship or being proper to a citizen” (Oxford 582). Together these space make up the public realm. Richard Sennett discusses in his essay notions of public where he ultimately argues that “the public realm can simply be defined as a place where strangers meet” (Sennett 262). Sennett believes this realm is one where individuals from all cultures and social standings should be able to inhabit and share their views. “The ideal public realm [is] one in which people react to and learn from people who are unlike themselves” (Sennett 268). This freedom to coexist within the public realm sets the stage for the civic framework of the city. “The civic framework establishes the structure within which urban life takes place, and it offers the single strongest opportunity to create a distinctive identity that cannot be matched in the outlying suburban districts” (Sasaki). By providing an environment in which urban life can take place and the city’s identity can develop, the civic framework serves as a catalytic element for improving the meaning and quality of the built environment.

INTRODUCTION

01

Composite Park System 0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

Civic Spaces Parks Blvds & Pkwys Trails Gardens

Based on the studies conducted throughout this semester it has been determined that the idea of a park is primarily associated with the idea of nature and activities that connects individuals with it, and that the idea of civic space is more related to people, collectivity, and the direct relationship with the city. The public surveys we administered confirm that although a park may embody qualities typically associated with a civic space and vice-versa, the mindset of what a park or civic space is largely revolves around the environment and programming of the space. The conception of parks is often one of green areas that allow inhabitants to participate in leisurely or recreational activity as they see fit. “When designed for human use and effectively programmed, downtown parks can function as gathering spaces or activity centers” (GDAP). A civic space, on the other hand, is seen as an extension of the community that serves as a stage for public life. These spaces should “create vibrant urban community nodes that integrate neighborhood services with living, working, shopping, eating, cafes, and night life” (GDAP). How these parks and civic spaces function in reality is flexible based on the needs of the area where they are located. Public space is necessary for the vitality of a healthy downtown, therefore to ensure the highest success of the system of public space both parks and civic spaces will be cohesively integrated into on overall connective system that unites Kansas City’s downtown.

As part of our initial research we examined some of the previous plans for Kansas City’s downtown. Two major plans that have influenced our methodologies and goals for this project are the Kessler Plan and the Greater Downtown Area Plan. The Kessler Plan, designed in 1893 by George Kessler, was the first plan for a network of green spaces in Kansas City.

INTRODUCTION

02

Kessler Plan and Roadways 1893

scale: 1”=2500’

Kessler Plan and Roadways 1900

Kessler Plan and Roadways 1910

Kessler Plan and Roadways 1960

parks influenced by roadways unchanged parks railroads highways street grid

Prior to the implementation of this plan, Kansas City had developed in a haphazard manner. The plan addressed a way to exhibit the natural topography and beauty of the area while working with the gridiron system of built blocks already in place. The result was that the formerly segregated sections of Kansas City were united through the system of parks and boulevards. Decades later as the city continued to develop, much of Kessler’s original parks became fragmented as various highways were built running through the downtown. Although many of Kessler original parks still remain, there is no longer an identifiable connection between the green and public spaces of the downtown area.

Kessler Plan and Roadways 2011

Since Kessler’s initial plan and the introduction of the highway system to Kansas City, several other plans have been laid out for the downtown area that address open public space within the city. One of the most recent plans is the Greater Down Town Area Plan (GDAP) for Kansas City. This plan lays out five main goals for the city: • Create a walkable downtown • Double the population downtown • Increase employment downtown • Retain and promote safe authentic neighborhoods • Promote sustainability.

Both of these plans have impacted how we have chosen to program and reprogram the public spaces within the comprehensive system of parks and civic spaces. In addition to their influence on program, Kessler’s Plan and the GDAP embody several urban principals that we have chosen to adopt in our comprehensive system of public space. One such principal is cohesion between circulation within the city and the public realm. “Public streets and outdoor spaces play an integral role in stitching together the urban fabric. When the urban environment has a high level of connectivity and spatial definition, people will be naturally drawn to it” (GDAP). This connectivity and activated spatial realm are both directly achievable through a well designed system of downtown parks and civic spaces.

We understand the idea of public space as more than just a system of places. The interconnectivity between each space within the system is equally critical for the improvement of the urban environment. Furthermore, this interconnectivity is essential for meeting our project objectives, which are defined by the five GDAP goals. Overall, this system of public space will serve as an amenity for the city, increasing the value of the area and encouraging further economic development.

INTRODUCTION

03

Residential 0’

500’ 1,000’

ould inhe gray ould be andard, you feel another color.

2,000’

Commercial and Office

3,000’

0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

All drawings should include the river. The gray tone used here should be the universal standard, but let me know if you feel you need to use another color.

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

04

Institution and Education

Industrial 0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

0’

3,000’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

All drawings should include the river. The gray tone used here should be the universal standard, but let me know if you feel you need to use another color.

All drawings should include the river. The gray tone used here should be the universal standard, but let me know if you feel you need to use another color.

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

05

Land Use Zoning 0’

250’

500’

1,000’

1,500’

0’

250’

500’

1,000’

1,500’ Residential

Social/Institutional

Neighborhood Business

Industrial

Community Business

Commercial Parking

Heavy Business/Commercial Adult Use Overlay Downtown Core

Mass Assembly of People Leisure Activities Natural Resources No Human Activity

Manufacturing 1 Manufacturing 3 Low Density Residential High Density Residential Urban Redevelopment

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

06

Right of Ways and Parks 0’

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

07

Parking Lots 0’

uld ine gray ould be andard, ou feel another color.

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

Parking and Vacant Lots

3,000’

0’

500’ 1,000’

All drawings should include the river. The gray tone used here should be the universal standard, but let me know if you feel you need to use another color.

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

08

2,000’

3,000’

Proposed and Ongoing Projects

Parks and Sewers 0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

1. Main St. StreetCar 2. Grand Blvd Improvements 3. 1st Street Improvements 4. Columbus Square Redesign 5. West Pennway St. Streetscaping 6. 20th Street Improvements 7. I-670 Land Bridge Possibilities 8. 18th and Vine Connector 9. PAC Wyandotte St. Connection 10. Triangle Park Redesign 11. Pennvalley Park Improvements 12. Todd Bolender Center for Dance 13. West Terrace Park Redesign 14. 17th St. Connector

3,000’

Pipe size Largest Smallest

Ongoing Projects Proposed Projects

3

4

1

2

13

7 9

14

8

All drawings should include the river. The gray tone used here should be the universal standard, but let me know if you feel you need to use another color.

6 5

10 12

11

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

09

Regional Park Connectivity 0’

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

City Park Connectivity 0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

parks

parks

roadway access

roadway access

10

Neighborhood Park Connectivity 0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

neighborhood parks pocket parks roadway access

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

Kansas City Parks Program Classification 0’

500’ 1,000’

2,000’

3,000’

Active Recreation Passive Recreation Combination Usage

11

18TH AND BROADWAY COMMUNITY GARDEN

ADMIRAL PLAZA

BARNEY ALLIS PLAZA

CASE PARK

GARMENT DISTRICT PLACE

PENN VALLEY PARK

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Current Park Conditions The Kansas City downtown park system provides civic and natural public spaces to the local community and visitors. These public outdoor places facilitate socialization, recreation, and relaxation. Along with the societal aspects, the public spaces should promote environmental health. In order to determine the current state of Kansas City’s urban green and civic spaces, we began inventorying existing parks conditions. Each park in Greater Downtown Kansas City has been documented by site visits, photography, and analyses. Upon reviewing our inventory; we identified both positive and negative attributes within the park system. We found many common trends, general qualities that affect the health and utilization of the public green and civic spaces.

Specific Successful Aspects Park Utilization:

Frequent utilization of neighborhood parks by area residents: Westside

neighborhood parks, and Shelia Kemper Park

Unique park features: water park at Crown Center

Programmed park spaces for intended users: dog park at Penn Valley Park and

neighborhood parks Historic Parks:

Major landmarks within parks: Paseo Boulevard, Case Park, Penn Valley Park,

and Liberty Memorial

Unique topographical locations: Case Park, Kessler Park, Liberty

Memorial, and Riverfront Park Park Maintenance:

Funding successes such as public-private partnerships: Crown Center and

Hospital Hill Park Sustainability:

Local communities and businesses occupy vacant/unused lots to

implement urban agriculture: 18th & Broadway Urban Garden, Westside

Community Garden, and 10th & Jefferson

Water management: 18th & Broadway Urban Garden, and 12th Street Transportation/Recreation:

Multiple ball fields/ball courts Park Safety:

Supervised streets and districts: Community Improvement District workers

12

JARBOE PARK

General Problematic Aspects: Overall Park System:

Few green and civic spaces in downtown core

Poorly utilized downtown parks

Fragmented park system Specific Problematic Aspects: Park Utilization:

Unusable park land due to topography

Roadways creating parks in leftover land/no man’s land

Parks lacking intent

Few large scale event spaces

Barriers within park (Penn Valley and Hospital Hill)

Lack of accessibility to parks

Poor adjacencies surrounding parks (heavy traffic/low density) Historic Parks:

Highway systems dividing historic parks and boulevards

Stagnate historic parks Park Maintenance:

Unmaintained parks

Recreational equipment in disrepair

Unmaintained landscaping

High brush in parks’ periphery Sustainability:

Massive amounts of mowed lawn

Lack of native landscaping

No sustainable infrastructure

Inadequate water management Transportation/Recreation:

No alternative forms of transportation

Few bike lanes

Few trails

No long trails for marathon runners and bicyclists Park Safety:

Poor lighting

Debris in parks

Crime within parks

Unsupervised parks due to infrequent use

CURRENT CONDITIONS

MULKEY PARK

OPPENSTEIN PLAZA

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

KANSAS CITY PLAZA

13

PARK

REGIONAL CITY

NEIGHBORHOOD

Liberty Memorial Location: 31st &Broadway Program: Active &Passive Scale: Regional Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Penn Valley Park Location: 31st & Wyandotte Program: Active & Passive Scale: Regional Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Berkley Riverfront Park Location: Grand & Lydia Ave Program:Passive Scale: City Park Maintenance:Other

Case Park

Location: 7th & Pennsylvania Program:Passive Scale: City Park Maintenance:Parks & Rec

City Market Park Location: 3rd & Main Program: Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Other

Ilus Davis Park Location: 10th & Locust Program:Passive Scale: City Park Maintenace: Other

Mulkey Square Park Location: 12th & Beardsley Program: Active & Passive Scale: City Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Parade Park

Location: Truman Rd & PaseoBlvd Program: Active Scale: City Park Maintenace: Other

Washington Square Location: Pershing & Main Program: Passive Scale: City Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Admiral Plaza Location: Admiral & Oak Program: Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Belvidere Park

Columbus Square

Location: I-35 & Independance Program: Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenance:Parks & Rec

Location: Missouri Ave & Holmes Program:Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

FIGURE GROUND

STREETS

BARRIERS

CONNECTIVITY

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

14

Gage Park

Location: 23rd & Belleview Program: Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

IGHBORHOOD

Plaza

al & Oak e hood Park ks & Rec

Belvidere Park

Location: I-35 & Independance Program: Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenance:Parks & Rec

POCKE Columbus Square Location: Missouri Ave & Holmes Program:Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Gage Park

Location: 23rd & Belleview Program: Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Garrison Square Park Location: 5th & Troost Program: Passive & Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Hospital Hill Park Location: 23erd & Oak Program: Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

CURRENT CONDITIONS | INVENTORY

Jarboe Park

Location: 1th & Beardsley Program:Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Kansas City Plaza Location: 12th & Ella Fitzgerald Program:Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Other

Margaret Kemp Park Location: 9th & Harrison Program:Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Observation Park Location: 21st & Holly Program: Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Oppenstein Park

Sheila Kemper Dietrich

Western Auto

Location: 12th & Walnut Program:Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Other

Andrew Dripps

Location: 27th & Gillam Rd Program: Active Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

Location: 22nd & Grand Program:Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Other

Location: 16th & Belview Program: Passive Scale: Neighborhood Park Maintenace: Parks & Rec

15

Public Feedback The goal of the urban design studio at the Kansas City Design Center is to complete a comprehensive visions study for green and civic space in the greater downtown Kansas City. One of the critical steps was to gain public feedback of the existing spaces, allowing for a reconsideration of how this system currently functions. Input from the community is critical to the evaluation, as it serves as a basis for understanding the programming elements important to Kansas City.

The aim of the surveys was to gain a range of opinions about the green and civic space system from the people who use the spaces. The Kansas City Design Center studio used this information to understand the variety of programming preferences and needs in Kansas City’s green and civic spaces.

In order to gain the necessary input three surveys were devised: 1.

An Online Survey, which was posted on Survey Monkey and advertised on the Kansas City Design Center’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter page.

2.

An Oral Survey, which was conducted by Kansas City Design Center studio members. By going to selected parks at different dates and times, a wide

range of feedback was solicited from people occupying the spaces.

3.

A Window Survey, in which the storefront windows in front of the Kansas City Design Center invited locals write their comments on the parks and

civic space.

Survey No. 1. included following questions: 1.

In your opinion, what makes Kansas City parks unique to the city?

2.

What do you like about Kansas City parks?

3.

What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

4.

What do the parks of greater downtown Kansas City need?

5.

What is your favorite activity to engage in at Kansas City parks?

6.

How often do you use Kansas City parks?

7.

On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the highest and one being the

lowest, how would you rate the parks of greater downtown Kansas

City?

There were 6 respondents to this survey over the course of one month.

Survey No. 2. included following questions: 1.

What do you like about Kansas City parks?

2.

What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

3.

What do you think Kansas City parks need?

The parks surveyed included Parade Park, Oppenstein Park, Barney Allis Plaza, Sheila Kemper Deitrich Park, Crown Center, Illus Davis Park, and Columbus Park. Peak usage times and days were utilized when gaining input from the public.

Survey No. 3. included following questions: 1.

What do you want the parks and civic spaces in Kansas City to be?

2.

How can we improve them?

The window survey was conducted over the period of one month.

PUBLIC FEEDBACK

16

Based on the survey input, four major areas of concern emerged: • Safety and Maintenance • Sustainability • Connectivity and Accessibility • Health and Recreation Safety and Maintenance: A well-maintained park tends to attract more visitors and have a sense of safety. Respondents conveyed concern for safety in the greater downtown area parks due to broken glass and unclean equipment, low lighting levels, and criminal activity (known and perceived). Responses offered solutions, suggesting that areas be kept clean of unsafe debris and design equipment be made of softer and safer materials. Additional lighting should be provided so that paths are visible at night, as a lack of appropriate lighting makes a place feel unsafe. An increased security presence should be considered at every park by using surrounding residences to keep eyes on the park, security guards, or security monitoring systems.

Sustainability: Respondents mentioned a desire to increase sustainable aspects within parks by greening downtown and increasing the number of trees.

One respondent suggested that parks should have a functional purpose. Integrating infrastructural services within the park can make it both an amenity and functional. Stormwater management, natural cooling systems, and conservation zones should be implemented where appropriate. Sustainable practices can also reduce long-term maintenance costs. Native plantings and durable, local materials are low maintenance and can reduce the cost of maintenance employees, material shipping, and replacement costs. By decreasing maintenance and making parks functional they begin to give back to the community.

Connectivity and Accessibility: Respondents noted that the parks would benefit by being more strongly connected to their neighborhoods and being accessible. Creating an urban park concept that further integrates the park system into the greater downtown was desired. Many parks currently have limited access or are surrounded by barriers restricting mobility. Creating more accessible parks should be a priority. More bike lanes, trails, and alternative transportation accessibility was also desired by citizens. More alternative transportation to parks would lessen the dependence on automobiles, which has beneficial effects for all citizens.

Health and Recreation: Respondents were concerned for a lack of recreational facilities in the greater downtown area. Some requested amenities included dog parks, better play equipment, jogging trails, open space, and sport fields. Providing spaces that encourage recreation allows residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors and promote healthy lifestyles while in the city.

Going Forward The results of the surveys were used to generate an understanding of the programmatic needs for the green and civic spaces within the study area. This lead to the considerations for reprogramming existing parks, creating new parks, and eventually eliminating unnecessary and inadequate spaces.

Safety and maintenance are significant concerns and will be addressed in the programming of parks and civic spaces as the conceptual design phase begins. These factors contribute to the feeling, image, and overall perception of a space. A perception of dangerous surroundings and criminal activity lead to negative connotations about safety. Reprogramming parks to suit their context better and encouraging surrounding development will improve that negative perception. Moving forward, specific design elements will be considered to emphasize the positive feeling and image of safety within parks. Maintenance will be addressed in respect to the layout and materiality of park elements. By creating spaces that are accessible and provide for easy cleaning and repair, the parks should be properly maintained.

Reprogramming parks and civic spaces to be functional and sustainable will better serve Kansas City. Currently, the parks require considerable maintenance in regards to lawn care, the replacement of equipment, and general upkeep. The cost of maintaining such parks is high. Designing parks that utilize native plants, have the ability to create their own power, or clean stormwater runoff will make parks cost effective and require less maintenance. Reprogramming parks to utilize infrastructural elements will give them added value to the city.

Connectivity and accessibility are important to ensuring the longevity and continued use of a park. Programming parks with easy access points and access over barriers will promote more frequent use and mobility. Parks and connections will be designed to encourage movement of multi-modal transportation.

Health and recreation are important aspects to take from the surveys, as parks serve the population by encouraging physical activity and healthy life styles.

The increased emphasis on sports facilities, trails, and community gardens can help curve obesity and promote a healthier city.

Moving forward, a system of assessment has been created that will direct the reprogramming of park and civic spaces. The programming elements generated from the surveys, case studies, urban design readings, and research aided in determining the programming criteria for the green and civic space system.

For details of all individual response entries please refer to the appendix.

PUBLIC FEEDBACK

17

Case Studies Introduction Progressive breakthroughs in the field of urban design, landscape urbanism, and landscape architecture have reshaped traditional urban typologies and opened new perspectives for transforming cities. By analyzing a wide array of the most successful and cutting edge parks and civic projects in the world, the students of the Kansas City Design Center were able to expand their understanding of the realm of possibilities and draw inspiration for similar solutions that would improve Kansas City.

In their research, the students of the Design Center strived to find significant projects which defined and improved the neighborhood, city, or region in which they are located. These projects exemplify a strong relationship with their context and are inherently tied to their place. The projects examined in depth include an extensive range of programmatic elements and innovative ecological considerations. Each project features various design organization and intentions.

The case studies included in this book are arranged according to type and scale. The projects were classified as a park, civic space, or civic park based on their programmatic intentions and content. Definitions were established that differentiated the three classifications of spaces based on their characteristics. Within each of those type categories the projects are ordered according to size, from the smallest neighborhood projects to the largest regional projects. The type and scale for each project can be identified by the symbols located to the right of the project title near the bottom of each page.

Type Park Civic Space Civic Park

Scale Neighborhood City Regional

CASE STUDIES

19

Intent

dio, a lead designer in the project, ows throughout the entire design with sections of er a variety of experiential episodes for the pedestrian. owing They range from a depressed bleacher seating area over tenth avenue framing the life of street for the viewer, to a segment wi fountains where passersby can rest and place their feet into the fountain. Along the mile and a half of track, the user experiences vistas of New York City that can only be seen from above the street level.

Content

Originally constructed in the early 1930s as a part of The West Side Improvement, this elevated rail line was used for freight lines. Designed to transport goods directly into upper levels of factories, the High Line cuts through blocks rather than following avenues to prevent a negative ect on the street life. Located in the Chelsea and Meat Packing districts trains carried meat to packing factories, baking goods for the National Biscuit Company, and other goods to factories and warehouse. As the interstate highways system grew in the 1950s the rail line saw decline in nal train ran on the High Line in November of 1980 and the tracks were vacant. A few years later, some business owners in the area lobbied for the rail line to be tore down. In 1999 a community activism group called Friends of the High Line was created to preserve the structure. Four years later the organization holds a international design competition called “Designing the High Line,� generating 720 entries from dio + Renfro was selected as the winning entry. Section one of the park opened in June of 2009 and the second portion recently opened in June of 2011. A third section is in development and when complete the entire park will stretch one-and-a-half miles through New York City’s west side.

The High Line dio + Renfro | New York City, New York

20

Criticism

The High Line was originally designed for New Yorkers but with it fame it has started to attract many tourist. This has been the concern with many that the park will no longer be used by the resident of the New York but instead become only a tourist destination. So far this has no been the case but the park is still very new and only time will tell if less New Yorker will continue to use the space. Another concern has to do with the development around the area. The High Line has generated a large amount of development around it raising the property values. This could cause a problem with the development around the area because many that live near this area are in public housing. Raising property values can also push many of the residents out of the area and bring in more tourist structures, such as hotels.

Assessment

This tranquil garden in the sky has become very popular with residents of the three districts that it passes through, Chelsea, West Side, and Hell’s Kitchen. The park is a unique design and become internationally recognized. Because of it wide acceptance in the design community it has become an attraction for many tourist but this does not detract from its original intent of being a place for the residents of New York City. It provides a place for citizens to escape from the busy street life without ever leaving the city. Buildings, businesses, and the community are embracing the Highline and have designed around, over, and connections to the park.

The High Line dio + Renfro | New York City, New York

21

Intent

For the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai the City wanted a park that could accommodate the thousands of visitors as well as serving the city as a park once the crowds for the Expo were gone. The site was an old industrial brown site that bordered the Huangpu River, which is badly polluted. The

with contemporary design elements. The park also is able to clean the water from the Huangpu River with natural systems. The park’s plant life was

Content The Park uses materials and plant life to connect to the culture of the city and the country, while providing important green infrastructure. The plant

landscape. The river is connected to the park with over looking piers. The water brought in from the river is originally at the lowest grade level on the III, which can be used for non-potable uses in the Expo. Using the water cleaned from the river the expo saved around 500,000 US dollars. The park is able to produce 500,000 gallons of cleaned water per day. This green infrastructure park displays how a park can serve a city in more ways than one.

World Expo 2010 Houtan Park Turenscape Landscape Architects | Shanghai, China

22

Criticism

to socialize, exercise, or even play music. There are open spaces in the park which will accommodate large crowds, but not many smaller spaces for

Assessment The park is a successful space that provides an escape from the surrounding city life that is fast past and high energy. It acts both as a park to be

provide future developments with great green space to grow into.

World Expo 2010 Houtan Park Turenscape Landscape Architects | Shanghai, China

23

Intent

Earlier this year, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc (MVVA) won the competition to redevelop the land around the St. Louis Arch and the Jefnish on October 28, 2015, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arch. Curcult rently the area is segregated from the rest of the city, with major highways separating the downtown from the Arch ground and m for pedestrians to cross. MVVA’s plan will add 16 acres of new park space and over 25 acres of landscape improvement. More community-oriented spaces will be created to engage people of the city more with the space. There were ten design goals put forward in the The City . The Arch . The River 2015 Competition, but the major emphasis is placed on connecting the city, the Arch, and the river in a way that enhances all three of them.

Content

Four subregions have evolved - the West Gateway, the Arch Grounds, the Central Riverfront, and the East Bank Park - from the MVVA plan. The West Gateway combines landscape, programming, transportation, and engineering strategies to create new interactions between the Arch and the city.

In the Central Riverfront, the goal is to have a public space that enhances the Mississippi River and is more accessible to all. A long problem for the nal city, the East Bank Park will connect East St. Louis by a gondola system, and attract visitors with a pavilion around the Gatew piece is the Arch Grounds, and is central to the entire plan. The architect has planned stronger connections with the urban fabric on all sides and rethinks how landscape can be integrated into the project. erson National Expansion Memorial is currently challenging because there is a lack of access points. The new plan for the site is c while maintaining limited vehicular access. One of the strongest aspects of the plan is c outside the main corridors of downtown. Metaphorical bridges are planned to create a stronger sense of place for visitors when experiencing the park. Many citizens currently see the Arch as a dead zone and MVVA is working towards dispelling people of this notion. Activity bridges are the third bridge type planned for the Arch grounds, using vistas to link the park inside and out. The Arch grounds need to be more powerful to attract visitors, engaging them with activities throughout the year.

The City . The Arch . The River | 2015 Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc | St. Louis, MO

24

Content

East Bank Park - 100,000 square foot pavilion and one mile long Gondola ride Riverfront - new bikeway connections at the north and couth ends, more accessibility The Museum - 50,000 square foot of new museum and event space and a 100,000 square foot renovation of the existing museum The North Gateway - 20,000 square foot Children’s garden area and community oriented landscape Cathedral Plaza - 9,300 square foot restaurant and pavilion with roof terrace Luther Ely Smith Square - Land bridge connection between the Arch into the city over I-70; new landscape and plaza The Old Courthouse - 13,000 square foot renovation for galleries and exhibits Kiener Plaza - 9,000 square foot interactive water feature, 32’ Carousel, and 6,500 square foot of concession and performance buildings

Criticism

erson National Expansion Memorial and St. Louis Arch has caused some discord within the city because many people are not convinced the best plan was chosen. In a recent poll by Urban Review about the winning design, 30 percent of visitors believed that with a few changes the MVVA plan will work, 28 percent stated there were a few good elements in the plan but it wasn’t their top choices, and 17 percent said they were disappointed with the winning park design. There are concerns with removing the automobile access from the park at the north and south ends, especially the removal of Washington Avenue along Eads Bridge. There is also the skepticism from citizens of how the park will be built over the next several years and whether the entirity of the plan will be constructed.

Assessment

Overall, the plan designed by MVVA for St. Louis seems as though it has the potential to be successful. It has been apparent for years that the area surrounding the St. Louis Arch has needed improvement and a stronger connection to the city. If more trails are built, accessibility is increased, and orts in the downtown area.

The City . The Arch . The River | 2015 Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc | St. Louis, MO

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Content The idea William Paley had was to create an oasis that people could escape from the busy city. It was designed as a small outdoor room with enclosure and an entrance. The park was featured on William Whytes The Social Life of Small Urban Space and listed as successful because it is located directly

Intent water feature in the back that helps to block out street noise and has “living walls�, which are walls covered in ivy. The park is enclosed on three sides be one of the most successful public spaces.

Paley Park

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Assessment

Paley Park

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Intent

The design intentions were to connect the inner city to the natural landscape. The architect did this by establishing a clear, minimalist form that contrast the complex and chaotic surrounding environment . This concept is achieved through a homogeneous steel skin that covers the 150 e illuminating at night like the city. The interior portion, painted red, is reminiscent of an animals mouth or a red carpet revealing the landscape to the city or the city to the landscape. The columnar portion of the bridge contains stairs and an elevator.

Content

Esch Pedestrian Bridge located in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg was design by Metaform Architects. The bridge was constructed as a public bridge to connect the public urban space to a public park. The site is situated between the heart of Esch’s downtwon and a public natural park, Park Galgenberg. Along with creating a connection between the city and an elevated green space, the pedestrian bridge overpasses electrical nt worlds. lines and train tracks. As one enters the city by train, the

Criticism

The aesthetic of the project makes this bridge unique and creates a strong image for the station area. The bridge won 1st prize in the 2007 International Design & Build competition, and won the bridge category in Archdaily’s 2010 “Building of the Year Awards.” ‘The bridge has a unique energy that emits into the surrounding areas.’

Assessment

while providing low maintenance for the city. The dynamic form embraces the city while meshing with the natural landscape. Using light generates a more dynamic

Esch/Alzette Pedestrian Bridge Architect: Metaform Architects | Esch/Alzette,Luxembourg

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Intent

dio + Renfro’s strategic updates to the Lincoln Center campus. The intention of the project was to create a restaurant in the square that didn’t take away usable space for visitors looking to relax. The Hypar Pavilion lawn is accessed at its single point of contact with the Plaza. The 7,200sf lawn surface lifts up at two opposing corners creating space for the restaurant sandwiched between the Plaza c, creating a bucolic urbanism.

Content

Lincoln Center is the world’s leading performing arts center. Located on 16.3 acres in New York City, the Lincoln Center complex comprises 11 rst opened its doors, it has been a major contributor ve million visitors annually and transforming the Upper West Side into an exciting neighborhood that is now one of New York’s most desirable places in which to live and work.

Criticism

The preservation or creation of usable urban space in a major city should be applauded. However, the Hypar Pavilion Lawn only having limited access causes uncertainty, and raises questions of accessibility, including how ADA friendly is the space. Even so, the project appears to be a strong place for visitors and residents to escape within the city.

Assessment

The construction for this project was complete in December 2010, so the amount of criticism for the built project is limited. However, some designers have deemed this project and urban oasis. Other popular phrases that have been used to describe the pavilion lawn are “posh,” “eye-catching,” gorgeous,” and “stylish.”

Hypar Pavilion dio + Renfro | New York, NY

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Intent

Designed jointly by Laurie Olin of OLIN and ZGF Architects, the intent was to “create new open spaces with a variety of microclimates, amenities, and places for activity that present a unique destination and landmark for residents and visitors”.

The programmatic element of the park includes a fountain, artwork, custom lighting, street benches, a cafe, a glass canopy, a curbless street along 9th and 10th Avenue to em¬power the pedestrian and designated as pedestrian only during certain events. Above a 700-space parking garage, the half-acre urban park sits with a tidal water feature that functions as cool, hard to be a “park”, Michael Powell of Powell’s Books summarized the park’s design in a sentence; “I was sort of under the impression that people came downtown to work and shop, not to gain a rural experience”. Thus, Portland today has an urban plaza that accommodates the wants and needs of its users.

Content

Originally set aside in 1848 when Portland was platted by Daniel H. Lownsdale, the park sat vacant. Previously a sedentary surface parking lot in the center of downtown Portland, there had been no public park built in downtown for more than 25 years. Through the Park Avenue Vision, there was a goal to connect the parks and open space. By 1995, there were plans for the present surface parking block to become a 550-space 12-story parking structure to be named Park Avenue Plaza. Quickly unwelcomed by the public, developer Tom Moyer decided to weave both park and parking in 1998. The Portland Parks and

organization formed in 2001. The development of the piazza was jumpstarted by the district-wide street enhancements and private interest. The park was built in 2009 and is named after 1915 Russian immigrants who helped build Portland.

Simon & Helen Director Park OLIN & ZGF Architects | Portland, OR

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Criticism

The urban plaza set the precedent for meshing materials, complete street design, and stormwater management. Amidst from a rural to urban character while serving public and private interests. The space is a common gathering area for residents, workers, and tourists while meeting the bottom line with thirty percent of the park dedicated to commercial activity. There is movable indoor and outdoor seating to accommodate varying group sizes and a cafĂŠ to provide quick drinks and snacks for thirsty and hungry visitors. Many critics highlight the sustainable components of the plaza, including the green roof and bioswales along the streets. By having a continuous surface building-to-building and a MAX Light Rail stop nearby, the park accommodates all scales of transportation, from auto to pedestrian.

Assessment

The cross collaboration between the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Parks & Recreation, the Department of Transportation, the Water Bureau, OLIN, ZGF, Mayer/Reed, the developer, and the consultants made this a successful project.

By having an open dialogue among varying interests, everyone’s individual needs can be addressed and accommodated.

For Kansas City, the precedent shows how to successfully convert surface parking to surface park, with underground parking below. Profession and infrastructure integration is key to today’s park development. The overall design of Simon and Helen Director Park shows how a park built on and used as infrastructure can be civic, beautiful, and uniquely urbane. The heated

Simon & Helen Director Park OLIN & ZGF Architects | Portland, OR

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Intent

Jamison Square was designed by Peter Walker and Partners Landscape Architects for a cost of $3.6 million. It was initially designed as an outdoor art gallery with square rocks and steps at the center. It was envisioned as a quiet, sophisticated place for adults to relax and socialize, but adding rst of three water to the rocks ended up creating an urban beach and attracted families and children. It is a little over an acre in size an planned parks completed in the area.

Content

Jamison Square features a complex stepped stone wall—the metaphorical expression of the aquifer—that, when drained, serves as a performance ow, it provides a “beach,” a play space that quickly became a destination for toddlers and parents from the greater metropolitan area.

It is a very interactive space, a so-called a “manmade tidal pool”.

The park includes a fountain which simulates a shallow tidal pool, serving as the focal point of the park. Water cascades from stone joints into low cient pumps and motors. Art is also an intricate part of this space, with 30-foot modern totems created by Kenny Scharf and Paige Powell, art labeled Tikitotmoniki. A wooden boardwalk connects Jamison Park to Tanner Springs Park two blocks away. It is intended to eventually connect the Willamette River. The square has a combination of hardscape and softscape, using native materials.

Jamison Square is in a popular area for children and adults. The Portland streetcar passes on both sides of the park, allowing for many points of access. Many area resturaunts and shopping centers are close to the area. Many events are held at the park, including the Kids Marching Band, Kids in the Pearl Block Party, Movies in the Pearl, weekly Splashdance “movement-based storytelling” by BodyVox, Pedalpalooza, and Portland Bastille Day festival. Although there is not a lot of planned features beyond the fountain to attract visitors, it really has become a space for families to relax erent ages.

Jamison Square Peter Walker & Partners Landscape Architects | Portland, OR

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Criticism

There has been some criticsm revolving around Jamison Square since its opening. Architect Laurie Ohlin commented, “I was astonished over the icts there. They seem savage and uncivil, the poor behavior between the two groups: parents with kids and people with dogs. It seems nd it puzzling in its sociology, not in its design.” Since this square is in a neighborhood that primarily caters to upscale clientle, there are some complaints about the amount of children and families who use this park. It was also mentioned that the square was a “missed opportunity to produce something visionary.”

Assessment

ock to the water and enjoy the sunshine. On winter days, there will likely be adults walking their dogs or reading in the park. Overall, Jamison Square is a well-used and comfortable public space. It provides residents and guests a place to relax with their families, and the square caters to them in all seasons. The design was intended to be an interactive space that welcomed all. Between water features, seating, and an art gallery, this space has some of everything to draw in guests.

Jamison Square Peter Walker & Partners Landscape Architects | Portland, OR

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Intent

One of the many civic spaces of Seville, the Hercules Mall had been deteriorating for several years and was in need of renovations to reinvigorate ce for citizen participation surveyed the community and created a campaign for a redevelopment of the Mall. Over the its lifetime the Mall had become disconnected and chaotic. The rehabilitation created a more cohesive identity of mall and eliminated the disconnected areas within the space. A main element of the rehabilitation was the redevelopment of the poplar trees the plaza was famous for.

Content

The mall stretches four blocks through the heart of Seville. At each end of the mall are a set of columns that create a corridor running the its entire length. Around the perimeter hackberry trees have been planted to create a boundary and shade for the passer-by. The trees were chosen because of their ability withstand the summers in Seville and its fast growth rate. As a part of the landscaping the large distressed trees were replaced and create quite spaces within the mall. cult. The pedestrian area was created with the use of ochre clay (a clay used traditionally in bull ghting arenas and public plaza) and during summer the area became dusty and with the rain the clay turned to mud. To solve this the design c areas.

These unique spaces use a change in color of the pavers to create designs to attract the users. They are located at each end and the center.

The spaces not only use change in material to draw attention but also change the environment by incorporating water into the design. At each location a fountain has been installed to create a new environment and attract and encourage children to use the space. The fountains are paved with blue and white anti-slip pavers to continue the tradition of the colors used for traditional fountains in Seville. But unlike the traditional ne mist and have no edge to prevent the user from entering. At the center fountain the design for the white and blue pavers are laid out to incorporate the numbers 1574 and 2007 the year the mall was founded and the year the renovations were taking place.

Rehabilitation of Hercules Mall José Antonio Martínez Lapeña, Elías Torres Tur, Arquitectos | Sevilla, Spain

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Content

As a part of the renovations new drink stall were installed along the east side of the mall with seating areas. The seating area is created by the use of pergolas the overlap and create a shaded area. They use the same theme as the fountains with the white and blue color scheme to contrast ned by columns and covered areas that create gather space for the users. As a part of the rehabilitation the mall received new double-arched street lights that line the edges and project light both into and out of the mall. Another feature integrated was the pneumatic garbage collection system and updated sewage system.

Assessment

The mall is a very successful civic space. It address its users and does not compromise. Unlike many examples of plazas in the United States, the c passing through. It creates a place in the city for the pedestrian to use and allows for a diverse crowd. The mix of seating areas, water features, open space and shaded areas allows many uses. Located in an area with few green areas it bring nature into the city while embracing the city and its tradition. The essence of the space has been preserved from it creation in 1574 to its most recent update in 2007. It has embraced the technology of the present but pays tribute to the original idea.

Rehabilitation of Hercules Mall José Antonio Martínez Lapeña, Elías Torres Tur, Arquitectos | Sevilla, Spain

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Intent

The sensational garden represents the starting point of a big master plan to renew and integrate the public spaces and the services to the housing

Content

active intimate room, like a personal living room in a public realm. Five Big Devices contain the essence and the poetry of the metaphor. A path is

but also simultaneously durable and mutable.

Criticism ‘Way too much concrete in this small space to be able to call it a park, probably an ideal skate park for the local kids once it’s done.’

Assessment

A small scale park that addresses the neighborhood context along with providing amenities that a neighborhood would need, garden, seating, and tranquil spaces. The park has a structured organic quality that encourages creativity and interaction with the provided space.

Sensational Park Nabito Architects | Frosinone, Italy

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Intent

Recently, architect Michael Maltzan was commissioned to build 2 corporate buildings along with a public urban park requirement. Within the park, Maltzan created various spaces through the employment of topography and crisscrossing bridges. Maltzan designs an urban park that meshes

with other areas for entertainment and recreation.

The main feature resting on the landscape is an amphitheater enclosed by a transparent covering, lite up like a lantern at night. Along with an public bathroom.

Content

The nine acre central park located in Playa Vista, California is surrounded by corporate business parks, large undeveloped lots, and suburban housing; was land formerly settled by native Tongva people, later becoming owned by Hughes Aircraft Company. The planned community of

Criticism

Major complaints and critism are less about design and more about regulations. The one park rule is “Any type of play other than designated sport is prohibited.� Second the entrances and exits are strictly controlled and montored by security cameras.

Assessment trasting activites. The main aspect the park seems to be missing is the connection the park has to the surrounding landscape. The tight security

Central Park Michael Maltzan | James Burnett | Playa Vista, California

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Intent

ll a vacant lot, previously occupied by a crumpling building that was demolished. Located along the main street the site was an ideal location to create a public space. With growth of the area steadily increasing over the previous decade, the area did not have enough public space for the residents. It lacked a social meeting place, leisure area, and connection to nature. The needs of the residents allowed for a design that would restore a piece of the urban fabric, while at the same time bringing nature into the neighborhood.

Content

During the 1950s and 1960s the neighborhood of Las Delicias grew rapidly and in a unorganized fashion. This disorganized plan created many ciencies in the realm of green spaces and landmarks. In the 1980s some attempts were made to improve the situation in the zone, for example the conversion of its main road into a pedestrian precinct, along with the creation of some green zones and leisure areas. Thei orts over the next two decades were not enough to save some of the urban fabric resulting in the demolition of the building occupying the corner site. The demolished building left two exposed party walls of the adjacent buildings. ll the site. The design for the new public space consist of three components; ces and storage. Spanning between the two adjacent buildings the vertical garden structure rises almost 50 feet into the air. Using a series of ramps that slowly ascend to triangular patios. Benches are placed at on the landings of the vertical structure to allow patrons the opportunity to sit and experience nature. On the street level of the site is the is the 5700 square foot public square .

Vertical Garden and Public Plaza JoaquĂ­n Sicilia Carnicer Sicilia y Asociados | Zaragoza, Spain

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Assessment

Completed in November of 2008 the project has been widely accepted by the local community. In 2010 the project was name one of the top 10 best urban public spaces in Europe. With so many urban spaces in the United States that are experiencing the deterioration of their urban fabric, this project presents a new idea on how to redevelop these areas. The vertical aspect of the garden helps to create a much denser area of green space as compared to a horizontal green spaces. It not only creates a dense urban green space but also addresses the uses of water management. erence species of plants that divert much of the water on the site away from storm sewers. Water that is not used by the plant is collected into an underground storage tank to be use to irrigate the plants when needed. erent community activities sponsored and developed by the neighborhood association.

A key component in the success of this project is that the space has an organization that maintains and continue to develop the space. The activities on the public space range from art installations to activities for children and create a space that can be used by anyone in the community no matter age, physical ability, or culture.

Vertical Garden and Public Plaza JoaquĂ­n Sicilia Carnicer Sicilia y Asociados | Zaragoza, Spain

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Intent

The CityDeck was completed in 2010 at a cost of twelve million dollars. It is a two-acre strip of riverfront land that was designed to increase access to the Fox River and to enhance the civic and social aspects around the area. According to ArchDaily, “The main goal of the project was to infuse a programmatic dependency between the new public park and the under occupied surrounding city blocks.�

Content

exibility to the project leaving its ultimate use up to its users. Amphitheater steps, a stage, an urban bench and docks for boaters will be incorporated over the water. Several new constructions alongside CityDeck will bring a greater degree of urban connectivity to it in the future. That coupled with the multitude of programs that exist there positions CityDeck as a new node of urbanity within the city of Green Bay. A wood boardwalk twists and folds along the project producing a diverse set of urban furniture cally sited near street entrances serve as zones for larger spontaneous gatherings or planned events at a civic scale. fty feet over the Fox River.

The largest area of The CityDeck is the Main Stage and is located right next to the boating docks. The Main Stage can hold near fteen hundred ve hundred square feet in size. As the name implies, the Main Stage will be the key area for major events like as outdoor t for small festivals and parties. The Stage platform extends approximately forty feet over the water and steps down to the water where transient docking will be available during the boating season. Shopko Landing is located next to the Main Street bridge at the foot of Adm. Flatley Court. This area is 2,500 square feet and extends 30 feet over the water. The Flatley Platform & Fishing Pier will entertain 30 people casually, 200 people for a performance and is a perfect setting for a beautiful outdoor wedding, birthday, anniversary, shing locations along its perimeter. This area is accessible from Washington Street.

The CityDeck StossLU | Green Bay, WI

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Criticism

ve million dollars were garnered from TIF Funds, three million from state and federal grants, and another three and a half million from private community donations. There has been concern about putting the amount of money into a part of the city that was not reaching the majority of the public.

Assessment

uenced by riverfront improvements that began with the construction of the CityDeck. Two new buildings have been completed (“low-rise riverfront condominiums and a mid-rise apartment house with groundce and residential space.

The boardwalk is slated to become a trailhead on the Fox River State Trail, one of the most well-used paths for bikers, joggers, and walkers. One of cant features of this space is that it reconnects the river to the city, a long neglected feature of this city.

As the CityDeck matures, this space will become an integral part of Green Bay. It has had strong public support to back the project, and the belief ts this small urban city can provide. The CityDeck is predicted to age well, holding many community functions

The CityDeck StossLU | Green Bay, WI

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Intent “Before you decide how a park should look, you should decide what you want to do in it,” said the creators of Discovery Green. “But you nish.” Discovery Green was created by t Discovery Green Conservancy which mandated that the “public at large” be engaged in the design and development of the park. The mission of Discovery Green is to operate an urban park that serves as a village green, a source of health and happiness for Houston citizens, and a window into the diverse talents and traditions that enrich life in ciency. Located beside the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas, the park is also to be the anchor for downtown development.

Content Discovery Green is a 12 acre, highly-programmed urban park, which has become the signature open space of downtown Houston. The park ers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor events and recreation, bringing activity back to the downtown. A 10,000 s.f. restaurant, café and park building with shaded outdoor dining spaces are sited along Crawford Promenade, the central pedestrian spine of the park. Park highlights include an iconic interactive fountain, pond and water gardens, custom designed playground, two acres of botanical gardens, and below grade parking with artist-designed entryways. An amphitheater landform with an outdoor stage frames the three acre Great Lawn and provides expansive views of the Houston skyline. In regards to sustainability, Discovery Green feautres solar panels, wood harvested from sustainably-harvested forests, natural daylighting for all buildings, an irrigation system which uses recycled groundwater, education er for every age, the beauty of Discovery Green is you can do as much or as little as you want.

Discovery Green Hargreaves Assoc. | Houston, Texas

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Criticism Although Discovery Green has had a huge positive impact on the city of Houston, it still has its criticisms. The architecture within the park has been labeled as dull and un-inspiring. Others have argued that there is a lack of connection between the park and surrounding context and too much programming squeezed into a small space which has led to constant overcrowding. The park has also been criticized for the majority of its programming being aimed at young children and lacking entertainment for adults and the elderly. A constant criticism has been the lack of street parking and cost of parking in the garage below the park, which is a typical complaint in the downtown of every major city. Some reviews have been negative quoting a lack of shade in the park, although as the trees mature this problem may alleviate itself.

Assessment rst three years, the park welcomed more than three million visitors and hosted more than 800 public and private events. The site where Discovery Green now sits was transformed from an undeveloped, concrete eyesore into one of the most beautiful and vibrant destinations in the City of Houston. Discovery Green was conceived not only as a public park, but as a landmark to attract convention revenue to the City, and as an anchor for downtown development. By all accounts, the park is meeting its goals. Discovery Green has helped Houstonians re-conceive downtown as a destination for play as well as work. As soon as plans for the park were announced, a new highrise residential building was proposed by a local developer. It is now nearing completion. Last March, a ce building and retail center, Discovery Tower, broke ground on the north side of the park. Discovery Green has provoked a level of ownership by all residents in the downtown core and throughout the region, and instilled a renewed sense of civic pride in the city of Houston.

Discovery Green Hargreaves Assoc. | Houston, Texas

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Intent

puware Headquarters. The park consists of hardscape and grass lawns, as well as gardens and fountains. The park contains two stages on the lawn to

Content The park was completed in 2004. The park was also constructed with wireless internet to be both a work and social place to come to. The stages that residents with the city Christmas tree each winter, which is extremely tall and decorated. years and has helped to revitalize surrounding areas in the Detroit downtown.

Rundell Ernstberger Associates | Detroit, MI

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wireless internet and a cafe. This has also helped to lure businesses near the park and back downtown. Corporate headquarters that locate around an amenity for their employees.

Assessment that are held at the park. Although there is no way to know if it is the greatest public space in the world, it is the greatest public space in Detroit and

be a lively space into Detroit’s future.

Rundell Ernstberger Associates | Detroit, MI

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Intent

In April of 2009 the Civic Space Park opened on a 2.7-acre site located on across from the Arizona State University Downtown Campus. Since the 1920s the site had been home to vacant, dilapidated buildings and parking lots before being purchased by the City of Phoenix for the revitalization project. Civic Space Park was designed to bring the feel of a small neighborhood park to the heart of downtown. The design of ers residents, workers, students, and visitors a new kind of urban typology, bringing together smart urban design, green space, multiple shade structures, an interactive features, and public art while serving as a model for low-carbon emission designs.

Content

eld of white columns beneath an undulating canopy that come alive at night with light and color from an array of LED animations. Inspired by lightning touching down in an Arizona summer monsoon storm, the lighting show responds to the movements of visitors. Another interactive feature of the park is the water fountain, especially popular with children.

The southwest corner of the park features turf landscape forms with pedestrian-scale retaining walls, games tables, benches, and densely spaced shade trees. The Park’s largest feature is an art installation from internationally recognized artist Janet Echelman titled, “Her Secret is Patience,” named after a phrase by Ralph Waldo Emerson and inspired by elements of Arizona nature. The sculpture has become known as “Sky Bloom” by many that visit the park as it is a steel frame that is 100 feet tall and 100 feet wide and laced with bright blue and orange webbing. In regards to low-carbon design, the park features porous concrete paving and landscape design which provides for stormwater ltration, allowing every drop of water that lands on the site to recharge surrounding groundwater. Solar panels on the top of set the park’s lighting and electrical needs. When its trees and vegetation reach maturity, more than seventy percent of the park will be shaded from the desert sun. Most of these trees are deciduous in order to take advantage of the Arizona sunshine and mild climate in the winter months.

Civic Space Park AECOM | Phoenix, Arizona

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Criticism While Civic Space Park is considered a successful project, there are a few areas in which the park could use improvement. The park lacks a strong connection to the university campus surrounding the park on the Southeast. There is a second phase of the design slated to renovate ce building into a student union for the campus hopefully solving this lack of connection. Due to its adjacent t from appealing more to the business district.

Assessment

A new example of successful urbanism emerged from this desert cityscape with the 2009 opening of Civic Space Park. At the opening ceremony, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon called the park, “a rebirth of the entire area.” Gordon also quoted the park as being “the best use of our civic resources I think our city could invest in, and it’s certainly the best park in the state.” The park has played an important role in the revitalization of the surrounding urban context. The adjacent, historic 424 Central Building has been refurbished as a public meeting and exhibition space that will draw events and people to the area, with a sunken café and retail space on a lower patio that fronts the open space of the park, acting as a magnet for activity. Downtown Central Station on Phoenix’s METRO Light Rail faces the park, providing direct transit linkages between Civic Space Park and the rest of the city. Civic Space Park represents an important step in ongoing work to improve Phoenix’s public realm. Landscape architect Chad Atterbury, who played a pivotal role in the design, assessed the completed project, “We er a city’s residents and downtown fabric, with elements that are versatile, forward-thinking, and fun. Public and private, education and recreation, past and future, art and engineering; all have threads integrated within the design.” Atterbury isn’t the only one to give the park a positive review. In the spring of 2011 Civic Space Park was given the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence for contributing to the improvement of an urban community and was listed as number four on Sunset Magazine’s list of top ten urban parks of the west.

Civic Space Park AECOM | Phoenix, Arizona

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Intent

The Citygarden illustrates St. Louis’s attempt to revamp a lifeless downtown area into an vibrant urban space. It is an urban sculpture park, botanical garden, and revitalization of a historic neighborhood placed within two city blocks. In 2011, City Garden received the Amanda Burden Urban Open Space Award, meant to recognize “an outstanding example of a public open space that that has enriched and revitalized its surrounding community.”1 This park has begun to change the negative perception of downtown St. Louis.

Content

at vacant lawn that is now dirst is the northern portion of the space which represents oodplain, while the southern part is a cultivated river terrace. In relationship to these three areas, there are three distinct water features within Citygarden that welcome interaction. There is a rectangular pool that contains a waterfall in the middle, a computer controlled spray plaza with custom lighting, and a granite disc continually circulating water. It was designed to be a green park in every sense; there are rain gardens, green roofs, and drainage that was custom-engineered with layers of gravel underneath ltered, and recycled.

The Citygarden is what the current St. Louis Arch grounds isn’t: interactive, accessible, and welcoming. One of the most prominent features of this space is that there are no gates, fences, or hours. Any person can enter the park from all points on the surrounding sidewalks, while still maintaining a high level of security. City security guards are present in the park during the day and there is a security system that monitors the park at all hours. Because of the feeling of openess and security, this is one of the most utilized outdoor spaces in the city despite its small size and newness.

As an urban sculpture park, it contains twenty-four pieces of sculpture by artists such as including Jim Dine, Tony Smith, and Aristide Maillol. The Missouri limestone wall that spans the width of the park (12,000 blocks) continues the artistic element of the park by displaying video art and classic movies. All are invited to interact with the art by touching, climbing, jumping, and viewing the various elements within the park.

The Citygarden Nelson Byrd Woltz | St. Louis, MO

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Southwestern Bell Building

AT&T Center

Serra Sculpture Garden

KSDK News

Wainwright Building

Peabody Energy

Bank of America

Vacant GenAmerica

Criticism

nd much negative criticism about it. There are safety concerns with the interaction of marble, water, and children in the space and complaints about the marble wall seating c on Market Street on one side of the park and how it is a potential risk to children without supervision. Thus far, there has been few problems in and around the Citygarden because of the constant security. It has adjusted fairly well to accommodate changing seasons with a beautiful winter light display covering length of the space.

It is obviously weaker during the colder months, with fewer attractions in or near the urban space, but one will still see visitors ambling through Citygarden.

Assessment

Two recent developments in downtown St. Louis can be attributed in part to Citygarden. Peabody Energy, a Fortune 500 company, announced ces and exthey will be staying in their current location on the Gateway mall (adjacent to Citygarden), and will invest $25M to upgrade th pand into more space. The international competition to redesign the St. Louis Arch grounds has stated that the new plan will incorporate elements of the Citygarden, creating a stronger relationship between the two. Michael Van Valkenburgh, the architect that won the Framing a Modern Masterpiece competition, has said he was inspired by Citygarden and that the park helped convince him that big things can happen in St. Louis. While cant new corporate headquarters downtown, retaining existing business is certainly a victory.

The Citygarden represents the intersection of nature, art, and civic life and has been extremely successful. On a smaller scale, it has been compared to Millenium Park in Chicago. The cost to build was $30 million dollars, funded by the Gateway Foundation, who will continue to supplement costs ts well into its surroundings by containing native trees and plants and a hardscape of local limestone, bluestone, and ned space and encouraging interaction with nearby shops, restaurants, and businesses.

The Citygarden Nelson Byrd Woltz | St. Louis, MO

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Intent

Olympic Sculpture Park is located on an industrial site at the edge of the Elliott Bay waterfront. Before the park was constructed, it was Seattle’s last undeveloped waterfront property. It sits on three parcels of land covering 8.5 acres. The site was considered undesirable because it has previously been used as an oil depot and is divided by railroad tracks and a highway. Before the park was usable, over 120,000 tons of contaminated soil had to be removed. In addition to dealing with oil pollution, sustainable new landforms were created, native plants were integrated into the design, and the underwater habitat was rebuilt.

Content

erentiation between water and city. At the top of the Z is a 18,000 sq ft pavilion that sits at street level and contains a cafe and exhibition, education, and performace spaces. After experiencing the transirst tional pavilion, visitors are directed down a path that leads to the beach, experiencing sculpture the entire way down. As visi of the three stretches along the path, they are directed across the highway with a view to Olympic Mountains. The second forces pedestrians to go over train tracks, with predominant views of the city and port. The last length approaches the water and takes visitors to experience the beach.

As pedestrians go down towards the water, they will experience the three typical landscapes of the northwest region through the three stretches: a temperate evergreen forest, a deciduous forest, and a shoreline garden with a salmon habitat and saltwater plants. Because of the many design considerations, new linkages were created between art and the city, the city and nature, and organic and inorganic forms. The goal of the space is t the needs of the time while accomodating changing sculptures.

As stated by competition juror Dennis Frenchman, “I like the fact that it actually fuses together the architecture and the landscape.… They turn this bridge, which is an engineering feature, into something which is both a building and a landscape. I think that is tremendously instructive for cities.

And that is what we have to be doing in order to be sustainable. So it’s neither a building, a bridge, or a landscape; it’s all three.”

Olympic Sculpture Park Weiss Manfredi | Seattle, WA

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Criticism

Grant Mandarino, a critic at ArtNet, stated concerns with the design of the Olympic Sculpture Park. “What’s more, the OSP is being hyped as a model of the ways that are can be interwoven into the urban landscape. That it succeeds as a sculpture park is not to be disputed. Whether it succeeds as a public park, well, that remains to be seen.”

Overall, the park has been highly praised by the design community, but there has been criticism. While striking, visitors have little of the park that can be utilized as green space for the people. For a public park, there is little space for recreation and relaxation grounds because of steep inclines the path. The rigid geometry does not ectively in the park. There are some areas in which visitors feel crammed together, having to turn a tight corner exible edges, will the repair ne this es the major stipulations of an urban park.

Assessment

This was an international competition won by Weiss/Manfredi to eld in Seattle. It contains an infusion of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and engineering. The project set out to reconnect art with urban life. The park was envisioned to revitalize the city’s waterfront, create a pleasant place to view artwork and sculpture outdoors, and restore the ecosystem of the area. It has suceeded on all these fronts. cally relating back to Seattle - what the city is and what it is transforming into.

It is highly praised for overcoming the obstacles that the site presented in a creative manner. As architect Marion Weiss stated, “The design’s vibrant terrain is intended to emphasize and interplay ection – in a series of interconnected precincts.”

Olympic Sculpture Park Weiss Manfredi | Seattle, WA

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Intent

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Content well as a sports stadium. The roof of the terminal, which serves as the public space, is accessible from the street and ramps up onto the building. There are two

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with the immediate surrounding buildings. Other’s also have claimed they believe it doesn’t relate to the culture of Japan or the city of Yokohama. space.

Assessment traveling in and out of japan from this terminal, so it serves as an impressive entrance to the city and Japan. It may not be connected to the culture,

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Programmatic Criteria – Green and Civic Spaces This document provides the programmatic attributes that embody parks. The most important qualities of successful parks were narrowed into four-part criteria. The park evaluation judges the design of the park space and how the park fits into the vision for parks and civic spaces. Throughout this semester, we have conducted surveys, research, and case studies to inform our criteria.

Imageability “Imageability is the quality of a place that makes it distinct, recognizable, and memorable. A place has high imageability when specific physical elements and their arrangement capture attention, evoke feelings, and create a lasting impression” (Ewing et al. 2006, !!!). An imageable space is distinct, memorable, and recognizable. Imageable elements could improve perceptions about Kansas City parks. A park is effectively imageable when the physical appearance represents the identity of the city. Overall, highly imageable spaces are expected to be maintained and thereby develop a sense of ownership of the space.

Strategies for Imageability: Historic preservation, conservation, landmarks, “escape to the city”, maintenance and labor, protect unique views, accentuating the urban topography Sustainability Sustainability is defined as “meet[ing] present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs” (WECD, 1987). To do this, the park program must take into account the philosophy of sustainability by serving both ecological and infrastructural purposes. A sustainable program addresses the present and future impact of the environment.

Strategies for Sustainability: Water management, urban agriculture, air quality, natural habitat, energy harvesting, native materials, and improving microclimate Context/Intent The use of the park is determined by the surrounding urban context and its designed purpose. Parks are a “creature of its surroundings and of the way its surroundings generate mutual support from diverse uses” (Jacobs, 1961, 128). The context “refers to the visual richness of a place” (Ewing et al. 2006). The surrounding environment should provide connectivity through public transportation, pedestrian-scale design, and adjacent activities between the park and the city. The intent takes into consideration the surrounding physical environment when establishing a designed purpose for park use. The park should be designed for three types of accessibility: aesthetic, function, and socioeconomic status. The interplay between the context and intent of the park address the surrounding users through a variety of uses throughout the day.

Strategies for Context/Intent: Community engagement, land-use mix, and demographic analysis Health & Recreation The health and recreation aspect of a park promotes physical activity and relaxation through the supporting facilities (i.e. paths, sporting uses, open space, and wooded area) and amenities (i.e. benches, drinking fountains, bathroom, shelters or pavilions, tables, and bike racks). Promoting health and recreation encourages well-being, curbs obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Also, park users go to parks to enjoy a pastime and in turn, receive health and recreation benefits. Park design enables recreational use while providing a seamless integration into daily life.

Strategies for Health & Recreation: Facilities, amenities, recreational programs for adults and kids, urban agriculture, and farmers markets

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Programming and Design Strategies for the Kansas City Park System\ The green and civic space system of the Greater Downtown Area is a mixture of outdated, under-programmed, and unsuccessful spaces. While some spaces are integrated with their surroundings, many need a programming update to reflect the changes within the city. Through the use of the developed programming criteria, imageability, sustainability, context/intent, and health and recreation, the green and civic spaces can be evaluated and re-envisioned. For the specific improvement of individual Kansas City parks, there are two types of strategies: park programming and enhancement of park design attributes. The strategy for the green and civic space system is based on improving the even distribution of public spaces and their mutual connectivity to one another. These strategies provide functional solutions for the creation of a successful system of green and civic spaces within the Greater Downtown Area.

Design Attributes The design attributes of a park include physical elements that can enhance its imageability and functionality to improve the attractiveness and invite sustained use.

Imageability For the improvement of green and civic space system, design strategies for imageability include safety, identity, distinction, and maintenance. Improving the physical and perceptual condition of the space will create a sense of place with continued significance.

• Within the green and civic space system of Kansas City, user safety is a primary concern. An important part of park design, as stated by the Greater Downtown Area Plan, is to “encourage[e] the design of defensible spaces and greater overall transparency between buildings and the street”(GDAP). Elements, such as added lighting and security features serve to improve safety while improving the imageability of the space. User safety and placement of programmatic elements should be considered when programming parks.

• To assist users, gateways and signage identifies entry points and a sense of place. An implementation of gateways as inviting entrances transitions users from the city streets into park space.

• Historic preservation and topography influence park identity. The integration of the history and physical landscape into the park program • improves the purpose of space within the city.

• The costly, time-consuming park maintenance is the primary concern for Kansas City Parks and Recreation. Regular maintenance sustains the • positive perception of the park. To accommodate maintenance concerns, easy to maintain plantings and materials, such as xeroscaping various parks, will help reduce costs, while maintaining the desired look and feel of green and civic space.

Sustainability As our world exhausts our vital resources, sustainable design strategies address parks as infrastructure. Today’s parks need to be examined for their function and ability to improve the environment of the city. The green and civic spaces system serves to reuse and conserve energy to become a more sustainable city for citizens. By becoming additional infrastructure to the city, these spaces will also elevate the importance of the green and civic spaces system of Kansas City.

• Sustainable features, such as rain gardens, bioswales, and urban wetlands, filters stormwater to improve the ground and surface water quality.

Stormwater management elements reduce the runoff created from a site. Water reuse elements reduce the amount of water use from city water supply. Both of these design elements create a functional purpose for the space.

• Wind turbines and solar panels provide an opportunity for energy harvesting within green and civic spaces. By creating their own power, parks alleviate pressure on the infrastructure systems by providing an added energy supply for the city and its citizens.

• The Heat Island Effect, for urban environments like Kansas City, presents unique temporal dilemmas. To provide relief from the hot summer heat, structures and tree canopies provide shade while creating cool microclimates within the city. Reflecting solar radiation through vegetation and other materials cools the city.

• Sustainable alternative transportation modes, such as bicycles and buses, provide access to and within the parks. A decrease in automobile use decreases vehicle-induced air pollution.

Park Programming Park programming is influenced by the surrounding context and intent of the park. The surrounding context, such as the demographics and land uses, are intertwined with the goals of the park. Programming elements are derived from the surrounding context and the basic park functions to serve the overarching goals for improving health and recreation opportunities for Kansas City.

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Context/ Intent To address a parks context the demographics, physical surroundings, cultural influences will play a role in the appropriate programming for the park.

• To provide a variety of areas with desired amenities, the distribution of different programs throughout downtown provides different amenities dependent on the context, scale, purpose, and needs of the surrounding areas. Most importantly, the green and civic spaces must remain accessible to all people.

• With an increasing demographic diversity and population increase in downtown, the park programming should provide amenities that attract all age groups while maintaining availability for all residents. The downtown should invest and prepare spaces for the future growth of all age groups.

Existing playgrounds should be improved and/or added to growing residential areas. Added nightlife and entertainment amenities for young adults and baby-boomers would improve the livability of downtown. In the future, providing community spaces for meeting, socializing, activities and exercise attractive for all ages is vital for the growth of downtown. Overall, user demographics should reference through programming considerations.

• Providing more amenities and alternative transportation options increases the circulation between neighborhoods. By providing transportation options for all citizens, green and civic space is integrated into the community.

• Parks must be accessible for all users by maintaining ADA compliance and Universal Design. All users should feel equally welcome regardless of their socio-economic status.

• Amenities, such as seating and bathrooms, make parks more inviting and user friendly to pedestrians. While contributing to the comfort and social activities within a park, these types of amenities equally contribute to the social interactions and comfort for surrounding neighborhoods.

• In the United States, 39% of all households own a dog (Humane Society ). Given the rise in dog ownership, parks and their surrounding environment should accommodate pets by through amenities and walkability. A space provided for dogs and pets in residential clusters are needed amenity for pet owners within Kansas City.

Health and Recreation Parks should facilitate both encourage healthy life styles and outdoor enjoyment. By programming to provide for park users various options such as exercise, recreation or enjoyment within the park, residents can improve their personal health.

• In 2001, 63% of Jackson County residents were overweight with 27% of the 67% as obese (Metropolitan Health Council). As a serious health threat with rising trends throughout Missouri and the nation, obesity can be curbed by providing space for recreation and exercise. Sport fields, jogging trails, and playground equipment, accessible to all residents, is important for the future health of downtown residents. Improving the walkability around the neighborhoods also encourages healthy activity.

• Recreation amenities encourage healthy activity for users. Sports, games, gathering spaces and event spaces can allow for user enjoyment. The types and amount of recreation facilities are be dependent on the context with an opportunity to spur an increase in park activity and liveliness within Kansas City.

Park System Strategies The strategies for the green and civic spaces system examine parks as a whole unit and their effectiveness in providing functional park space for its users.

Instead of focusing on a single park, the parks are analyzed as a collective unit.

Park Distribution In Kanas City, the abundance of green space per residents is poor distributed among the residents of Kansas City. The recent population growth in the central core has exposed the unequal distribution of green and civic space within the Greater Downtown Area. The redistribution of green space to areas within Kansas City lacking a park or civic space will contribute to better use of the green spaces in the downtown, without additional maintenance. By giving or selling current park space for a more appropriate use, new park space can be acquired in needed areas. Encouraging private investment to provide permanent or temporary green and civic spaces would allow private green and civic space to be available for public use without burdening the city. Each of these evenlydistributed spaces would address the pedestrian scale to provide residents equal opportunities to find and enjoy these spaces.

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Corridor Connections As Kansas City and the nation continue to grow and advance, there is a need to account for the fast-paced movement of our society. Since much of our visual and experiential stimulus is provided by instant updates and visual messages, visual cues provide more reminders and convenient opportunities to use park space adjacent and within the corridors. Encouraging multimodal transit along the corridors can be linked to current societal trends of environmentally friendliness and health consciousness to improve the livability of Kansas City. Presently, the park system must remain relevant and keep up with societal trends and needs.

By using both the system and park specific strategies for the Greater Downtown Area, Kansas City can have a functional and pleasing green and civic space system. Using the programming criteria, the strategies were developed to guide the re-evaluation of the park system and help Kansas City realize its potential not only for the park system, but also as a growing Midwestern city.

Document References Bridge, Gary, and Sophie Watson. The Blackwell City Reader. Second ed. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. Print.

COR Team. “Kansas City Greater Downtown Area Plan BNIM.” BNIM. 11 Mar. 2010. Web. 04 Dec. 2011. <http://www.bnim.com/work/kansas-city-greater-downtown-area-plan>.

Sasaki Associates ERA. “Kansas City Downtown Corridor Stratagy.” Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, June 2005. Web. Autumn 2011.

Simpson, John Andrew, and E. S. C. Weiner. The Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon, 2004. Print.

Ewing, R., Handy, S., Brownson, R.C., Clemente, O. & Winston, E. (2006). Identifying and Measuring Urban Design Qualities Related to Walkability. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 3 (Suppl 1), S223-S239.

Jacobs, J. (1961). The Death and Life of Great American Cities (Modern Library Edition.). New York, New York: The Modern Library.

United Nations General Assembly (1987) Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. Transmitted to the General Assembly as an Annex to document A/42/427 - Development and International Co-operation: Environment. http://www.un-documents.net/wced-ocf.htm

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Appendix Survey Monkey Responses 1.

In your opinion, what makes Kansas City parks unique to the city?

Kessler’s concept to preserve the natural topography/geography of the area.

2.

What do you like about Kansas City parks?

They once were spectacular examples of public open space. KC was once known for the commitment to public open space.

3.

What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

No ‘URBAN” park concept in Kessler’s plan-no subsequent recognition of the importance of urban public open space. Far too much emphasis on the

experience of driving /touring through “countryside”. Far too much investment in “parkways”, roadways, golf courses, etc.

4.

What do the parks of greater downtown Kansas City need?

What parks?

5.

What is your favorite activity to engage in at Kansas City parks?

Conversation with neighbors and play with children and dogs.

6.

How often do you use Kansas City parks?

Every day 7.

On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the highest and one being the lowest, how would you rate the parks of greater downtown Kansas City?

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

In your opinion, what makes Kansas City parks unique to the city?

Fountains and modern look What do you like about Kansas City parks?

No Response What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

No Response What do the parks of greater downtown Kansas City need?

More greenery, bigger more centrally located parks. Incorporating into the layout of the city, like power and light district What is your favorite activity to engage in at Kansas City parks?

Running, biking, and just enjoying the escape from concrete buildings How often do you use Kansas City parks?

Once a week On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the highest and one being the lowest, how would you rate the parks of greater downtown Kansas City?

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

In your opinion, what makes Kansas City parks unique to the city?

No Response What do you like about Kansas City parks?

No Response What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

No riverfront park in the Northland (other than English Landing).

What do the parks of greater downtown Kansas City need?

We need a park in Harlem. This park could be named after H. Virgil “Skip” Bower and tie into the Downtown airport, Holland Park and the Berkley park on the southside of the river.

What is your favorite activity to engage in at Kansas City parks?

Sight seeing of the downtown skyline and historical markers How often do you use Kansas City parks?

A few times a year On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the highest and one being the lowest, how would you rate the parks of greater downtown Kansas City?

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

In your opinion, what makes Kansas City parks unique to the city?

Not Applicable What do you like about Kansas City parks?

What is there to like...

What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

There’s hardly anything to do in them The homeless What do the parks of greater downtown Kansas City need?

Not Applicable What is your favorite activity to engage in at Kansas City parks?

Homeless watching How often do you use Kansas City parks?

A few times a week On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the highest and one being the lowest, how would you rate the parks of greater downtown Kansas City?

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

In your opinion, what makes Kansas City parks unique to the city?

Drug deals, illicit teenagers, BBQ festivals & Young Country Q104 events within a decaying Olmsted/City Beautiful/Kemper High Modernism setting. This includes the parkWAYS! What do you like about Kansas City parks?

The parkway system, and the surreal mix of high and low culture (see answer above).

What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

Erasure of the Picturesque / Olmsted and/or City Beautiful past. Why not just supplement & add on?

What do the parks of greater downtown Kansas City need?

They could be networked so they function as a system, rather than isolated nodes. They could be productive rather than purely aesthetic/recreational - e.g. treating stormwater, ecological restoration, functioning as wildlife corridors, serving as emergency service locations for poor/homeless/vulnerable, etc. Just like Olmsted’s plan for Boston’s Green Necklace. Entirely new parks could also be added to the network, alongside the great old parks.

What is your favorite activity to engage in at Kansas City parks?

All of the above How often do you use Kansas City parks?

Once a week On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the highest and one being the lowest, how would you rate the parks of greater downtown Kansas City?

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

In your opinion, what makes Kansas City parks unique to the city?

The history and use of topography to overlook different sections of the city.

What do you like about Kansas City parks?

I like the history and views. There are also some good parks in downtown that serve their neighborhoods well.

What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

That there aren’t enough where the people are. There are huge parks like Penn Valley, but not enough where people are living and working. Some of the parks are really hard to get to walking or biking.

What do the parks of greater downtown Kansas City need?

They need to be a better connection with their neighborhoods. There should be smaller parks in the central areas for use.

What is your favorite activity to engage in at Kansas City parks?

Walking trails and enjoying the views How often do you use Kansas City parks?

Once a week On a scale from 1 to 10, ten being the highest and one being the lowest, how would you rate the parks of greater downtown Kansas City?

4

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Park Survey Responses What do you like about Kansas City parks?

• Fountains are beautiful and relaxing • Fountains, outdoor music sitting areas • Fountains, grass, fields, downtown views, tables and chairs • Very tourist friendly • Loose Park What do you dislike about Kansas City parks?

• Better trash removal and lawn care • Places to hang out, read, play football, bike, and relax • More and better playgrounds (like neighborhood suburban play areas) (Crossroads/Downtown) • Greenery and cleanliness • Safety • More seating and green space downtown • Experimental, unique play equipment for kids • Rubber padding instead of wood chips for play areas • More kid-friendly elements • Soccer fields, more athletic fields or areas • Use empty parking lots What do you think Kansas City parks need?

• More visibility • Access - like to the Riverfront Park • Safety and better designed/cleaned play equipment (Penn Valley Park) • Connectivity - many large parks are separated by a lot of roads • Clean bathrooms and water fountains • More sitting areas and paths • More greenery in parks • Some areas need to be cleaned from glass or play equipment uses abrasive materials • “Eyes on the parks” - not cameras • Flexibility • More seasonal • Parking • Teeter-totters • Better lighting • More events

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Window Surveys What do you want the parks and civic spaces in Kansas City to be?

How can we improve them?

• Better bike lanes and trails • Water features • Free summer concerts and events • More trees • A central park with an ice rink • Better running trails • Better lighting • Safety • Less homeless • A place for people and dogs to go and celebrate friendships • More friendly and accessible • Playgrounds • Sports venues • Pools in parks (with donation or fees) • Seating • Literature festivals at Library similar to Plaza Arts Fair • Parks for kids of all ages • Green spaces for dogs • Better running trails • Bike racks • Bike lanes • Places for picnics • Water fountains for dogs • More trees • Restrooms and water fountains • More wild spaces • Better riverfront • Safer and more clean

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