The Santa Fe Railyard is yet another prime example of the adaptive reuse and redesign of land for a public space purpose. Born in the 2000s, the park is among the growing movement of turning underused or contaminated land into park space. In this example, the heart of downtown Santa Fe has been re-energized by the implementation of the park. It successfully connects neighborhoods that had previously been discouraged in doing so by the blighted site. A light industrial site that was all but abandoned is now a green and scenic space that promotes the health and quality of life of the citizens of the city.
The park is exactly what its name suggests. It is a transformation of the former Santa Fe Railyard, which was an active hub in this outpost of the mountain west during the era of train dominance. However, that dominance began to wane dramatically in the mid 20th century as the importance of interstate automobile transport elevated. Before that, however, the railyard was a central hub of life in Santa Fe. It was a terminal and was an important stop for both freight and tourists alike. The neighborhoods directly surrounding the yard grew dramatically as a direct result of its presence, due to the demand of housing the workers associated with the rail economy. As the importance of rail declined, the site deteriorated along with the surrounding neighborhoods.
A large public and private partnership initiated a move for change in a new direction for the site throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The Trust for Public Land helped to design the resulting park, which came about through a Master Plan that was developed with thorough public input. The citizens of Santa Fe wished to create a site that integrated the unique history, landscape, and culture of the region while turning it into the central hub it had once been. The park is now operated by the Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation, a non-profit organization, once again signifying the importance of public-private partnerships in creating successful public spaces. This process resulted in a sustainable public space that opened in 2008 and provides trails, art, and communal space that spans over a 13 acre parcel. It is a true mix between an recreation open space and a well-designed and built cultural attraction. As an example, trails go right up against old parked rail cars that are adorned with artwork and provide character to the new hub that has been created. The park also provides a sustainable oasis, as innovative practices in the storage, harvesting, and distribution of water have been implemented, resulting in vegetation that flourishes in an otherwise arid and often drought-stricken region.
Santa Fe has historically been an independent city with its own sense of culture, and has long attracted artistic types. The Railyard is certainly a welcome addition to this setting and has quickly gained rave reviews and become a focal attraction within the city. It is also a model for other cities to follow in redeveloping underused or abandoned sites for public parkland. This relatively small parcel of land in Santa Fe has had a great positive impact within the city due this process.
No comments:
Post a Comment