REMINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD PARK Prepared for G.R.I.A. / GREATER REMINGTON IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION by NDC VOLUNTEERS LAURA WHEATON NDC PROGRAM MANAGER The Design Team would like to thank Bin Liu and Hilary Thomas, AIA for their help in preparing the final drawings and Julie Higgins, ASLA, LEED AP for her guidance throughout the process. A PLA LACE FOR GRO ROWT H. A P LACE FO R KIDS TO BE KIDS. A PLA LACE FO R REMINGTON. A PLA CE CE FO FOR GAT HERI NG. A PLA LACE FO R SUS TA INAB ABLE LEAR ARNI NING NG. A PLACE FOR HAVING FUN. COVER SHEET 1
SISSON ST. RAINWATER COLLECTION ATKINSON ST. EXISTING SITE pedestrian movement SUN MOVEMENT pedestrian movement W. 27TH STREET The initial site diagram illustrates the various movement patterns surrounding the site. It illustrates the street heirarchy in terms of number and frequency of vehicles traveling on each street. This reveals that Sisson is the primary street surrounding the site, W. 27th Street is the secondary, and Atkinson Street has the least amount of vehicle movement. There are also some key pedestrian movement patterns. The majority of the neighborhood residents live east of the park and would primarily use W. 27th street to enter the site. The design team also discovered a worn diagonal path through the site as a quicker means to traverse the block. This diagonal movement pattern was incorporated into the final design as a means by which people can be brought into and through the site to keep it activated. There also exists the opportunity to collect rainwater from the adjacent service station that could sustainably water the grow space located in that area of the park. SITE DIAGRAM 2
Initial sketches of the park explored various alternatives to arranging the program on the site. An initial meeting with the community stakeholders revealed several programmatic elements that would need to be incorporated into the design. These elements include a flexible space for gathering and activities, a play area for the neighborhood children, and a place for growing vegetables, plants, herbs, and flowers. The ideal design would create interactions amongst the program and allow for easy movement in and around the site. INITIAL DESIGN SKETCHES 3
Subtle curves, native planting, and raised berms provide a relaxing and picturesque experience of the park that contrasts the surrounding urban landscape. 4
The community grow space could function as a living classroom and sustainable outlet for the neighborhood. The plants could be grown and presented in a variety of creative ways. 5
The Play Area within the park was inspired by the natural world and creative ways in which found objects can be transform through creativity and imagination. 6
A shipping container could be transformed into a functional architectural object within the park and serve as a stage for performances and storage for the growing space. 7
The aerial overview of the park presents a diverse context of townhomes, small commercial buildings, and open lots. In many ways this is analogous to the diverse Remington neighborhood in which the park is located. This diversity is what give the neighborhood its character, scale, and vibrancy. The goals of the design are to knit together the surrounding context and provide a place to play, grow, and gather as a community. The flowing lines of the design seek to contrast against the rigid constraints of the site. The design also allows for a variety of activities to occur simultaneously or to accomodate larger community events. The design also incorporates a berm concept in which the land is built up to allow for larger plantings that do not penetrate the contaminated soils on the site. Gabion benches retain the soil along the edges and also create seating for those enjoying the park. The site section below illustrates this concept. berm SISSON S TREET community green W. 27TH S TREET AERIAL VIEW OVER SITE SITE SECTION 8 berm CONCEPT PERSPECTIVE
KEY LEGEND 1. STREET TREE -london plane tree -willow oak ATKINSON STREET 2. ORNAMENTAL TREE -serviceberry -river birch -crepe myrtle 3. NATIVE SHRUBS/GRASSES -sweetspire -witch hazel -st. john s wort -switchgrass -broomsedge -liriope 4. PERENNIALS -purple cone flowers -black eyed susan -butterfly weed -aster -wild indigo 5.CURVING PATHWAYS -stone dust or asphalt 6. CORNER PLAZA -unit pavers or permeable pavers 7. PLAYGROUND -mulch or rubber mulch 8. RAISED PLANTING BEDS -4 x8, min. 16 planting depth 9. RAIN BARRELS -collects water from service station roof 10. SHIPPING CONTAINER -standard 8 x 8-6 x 40 shipping container -wood stage/deck to be built as needed -interior to be used as storage for planting & landscaping tools and materials 11. GABION BENCHES -used as retaining for berms and as seating for the park 8. GROWING SPACE 9. 7. 10. SISSON STREET 5. SITE PLAN 1 = 30-0 0 25 50 100 2. 11. PLAY AREA COMMUNITY GREEN 3/4. 6. CORNER PLAZA 1. W. 27TH STREET CONCEPT PLAN
The Community Green and Gathering Space serves a vital function within the park as a large flexible space for informal activities and events. The circular form is enclosed by raised berms and gabion benches along two sides providing some shade and a place to rest and view the activity taking place within the green. An adapted shipping container is also situated along an edge of the space and path that serves as a stage and backdrop for events at the park. VIEW AT COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE CONCEPT PERSPECTIVE 10
The Play Space is a venue for exploration and creative activity. Informal objects placed within the space provide the inspiration and backdrop for imaginative play. The play area is strategically located on a quieter portion of the site adjacent Atkinson Street and the neighborhood townhomes. CONCEPT PERSPECTIVE VIEW AT PLAY SPACE 11
VIEW AT COMMUNITY GROWING SPACE The Community Growing Space provides a place for neighborhood residents to come together and grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers. This in turn allows for interaction among neighbors and a more sustainable approach to urban living. The adapted shipping container provides storage for tools and materials while also serving as the backdrop of an outdoor classroom to teach residents about the natural world and sustainable gardening. 12 CONCEPT PERSPECTIVE