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Destination: Millyard Canal Park
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DESTINATION:
MILLYARD CANAL PARK
Existing Conditions
Currently the Millyard District is a repository of beautiful historic industrial buildings that tell a major part of the story of Manchester. Unfortunately, as the mills have transformed overtime, the character of the areas around and between the buildings have been sacrificed to meet the parking needs. The incredible innovation that is taking place inside the buildings of the District are not evident as one passes through this important historic district. While there are some sidewalks in the District, the overall pedestrian and cyclist experience does not encourage other modes of transportation besides the car. Major streetscape and civic space improvements are needed to create a physical environment the fosters a sense on innovation and collaboration outside the beautiful mill buildings.
In addition to providing outdoor amenities, parks can also be designed to help tell the story of the place, particularly the history. Within the Millyard is an opportunity to enhance the public realm with a public space that also recalls the past. For example, the canals constructed in the late 1830s in the Millyard provided hydroelectric power to the mills, which was a critical turning point in the history of the City in that it enabled a level of production that grew employment in the City and increased the population from 1,000 to 10,000 in less than a decade. Water features that are both aesthetic and playful can help tell that story that is so important to Manchester’s history while making the space inviting, enjoyable, and memorable.
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DESTINATION:
MILLYARD CANAL PARK
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Legend
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08 08 Canal Water Feature Outdoor Collaborative Recreation Space Green Industry/Testing World Class R&D Facilities Parking to Relocated Garage in Rear Sustainable Stormwater Features Walkable Streetscape Field-Test Friendly Zone
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Note: This illustration depicts a concept for the center of the site. The full range of uses that could be supported on this site could be accommodated in the developable portions of the site that lie north and south of the area pictured here.
