There are parts of Manhattan in New York City that feel to be almost a world away from an area such as Midtown. Inwood Hill Park and Fort Tryon Park are two connected parks in the northwestern corner of the borough that are a prime example of this feeling. Despite being located only about ten miles from Times Square in Midtown Manhattan, this area of the island could not feel more different. These parks prove the invaluable effect of grand open space within an incredibly dense city environment. They provide a respite from hurried city life, and an outlet for exercise and contemplation. Furthermore, the two interconnected parks in the corner of Manhattan provide residents and visitors alike amazing and free views as well as a chance to experience the island in a very natural state.
Inwood Hill Park and Fort Tryon Park are located on prime real estate on the Northwestern corner of Manhattan, with sweeping views of the Hudson River, New Jersey, Spuyten Duyvil, and the Harlem River. From certain vantage points, the George Washington Bridge makes its commanding presence known for all to take in. Largely located on steep hill and bluffs that rise sharply above the Hudson River, the parks offer an incredible amount of separation and escape from the noise and hustle of the city while still being within a close physical proximity. The geography of the area makes for a unique experience in relation to the New York City parks. Steep hills rise close to the Hudson, formed by glacial outcroppings. The parks are also largely natural in character and Inwood Hill Park is largely wooded and non-landscaped. Fort Tryon, while also wooded and steep, features a more landscaped path system that winds through its boundaries. Meanwhile, both parks also feature numerous fields and athletic facilities within their boundaries. These fields and facilities have proven to be extremely popular with the surrounding neighborhoods. These areas, including Washington Heights, Inwood, and parts of the Bronx, are incredibly dense and suffer from an adequate amount of open space. These parks play a crucial role in providing open space and, as a result, nearby residents put the area to good use and flock to it in droves.
The two parks were created and opened to he public throughout the 1920s and 30s. Once completed, the parks offered a continuous and expansive green space from 190th St northward to 218th St and the northern tip of Manhattan. Its boundaries connect to the Hudson River on the west side and near Broadway on the east. Together, the parks comprise about 263 acres of parkland within one of the most densely developed places in America. As New York City expanded and prospered in the early twentieth century, John D. Rockefeller Jr. purchased an existing country estate on the site of Fort Tryon Park with the purpose of preserving it as prized open space. He then hired Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the son of the famous urban park designer of Central Park and others, to design and plan the park which he would then give over to the city for public use. Rockefeller even went as far as purchasing land in the Palisades on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River to preserve the natural and pristine views from he park. It was a classic example of land preservation in an era when built development and growth on land was heavily favored. The city eventually purchased the area of Inwood Hill Park to add to the Fort Tryon area to achieve a remarkably natural corner of one of the most heavily developed islands in the world.
In addition, to preserving a pristine space of land for natural uses, the area is also a cultural destination. The Cloisters Museum, which is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of art is located prominently within Fort Tryon Park. Perched on a high hilltop, the architecture of the building is reminiscent of a European medieval abbey, and it features artwork and displays from that era. It only adds to the attractions within the confines of these parks, which are an incredible asset to the city and he working-class neighborhoods within close proximity to its boundaries. Although the parks are rugged and located in the far northwest corner of Manhattan, they are easily accessible via the A line on the subway. This has opened up the park to the larger city so everybody can eventually experience its views and wonders. In that, the preservation of this corner of Manhattan has been an enormously successful endeavor.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Randall's Island Park
Randall's Island Park is a valuable and expansive oasis of open space that commands a unique piece of New York City real estate. The park is comprised of most of an island that is situated in the East River between East Harlem in Manhattan, the South Bronx, and Astoria, Queens. It is definitely in the heart of the city, with such close proximity to three separate boroughs. However, once in the park, the feeling is that you have escaped the city and are in fact isolated from it. Besides the views of city buildings, and the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge that towers above and runs though the park, there is little to remind one hat they are in fact in the middle of the most highly populated city in America. That fact is an extremely valuable asset in which the city is only beginning to fully capitalize upon.
The island is actually two separate islands that have been joined together as a result of landfill, and it forms nearly a square mile of land. The area was first designated for park and recreational use by Robert Moses. In 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt opened the park in correspondence with the new Triborough (now the Robert F. Kennedy) Bridge. As is typical of many parks, public spaces or other institutions throughout New York City, it had fallen into neglect and disrepair by the 1970s and 80s. A park that had once opened to much fanfare and use had become a place with an undesirable reputation and was considered an area to avoid. That was the reality of the entire island until a comprehensive revitalization effort was begun by the city and various partners.
Randall's Island is certainly a unique setting for outdoor recreation and tranquility. An elevated interstate highway passes through the park as well as an elevated train line. The island is also home to the Manhattan Psychiatric Center, which is a high-rise hospital for the mentally ill on the edge of the island. Therefore a distinct industrial character permeates parts of the park, which is certainly not always the cases for popular green spaces. The present character and ongoing transformation of the park is largely credited towards the Randall's Island Park Alliance, which was founded in 1992 as a public-private partnership. The Alliance has been tasked with developing a plan for the revitalization as well as its management and operation alongside the New York Department of Parks & Recreation. The plan was introduced in 1999 and has been nearly fully realized.
Since the establishment of the Alliance, miles of pedestrian and bike paths have been restored, including much along the waterfront. Several new and popular sports facilities have also opened. One of the centerpieces of the ongoing construction efforts was the opening of Icahn Stadium in 2005, a modern track-and-field facility. More than 60 playing fields have also been implemented along with a tennis center that features 20 courts. Environmental restoration projects have been present as well, with over nine acres of restored wetlands as a prime example. Overall, the park features several examples of restoring degraded natural areas or utilizing land or structures reclaimed from institutional use.
The park is a treasure of New York City, as it is literally a centrally-located island oasis. It is not without its issues though, including limited pedestrian access from East Harlem, which suffers from a lack of adequate open space. Overall, the park could be better served in that aspect, as traveling via car and bus are still the most efficient ways to get to the island. However, the park still provides an incredible natural retreat in the heart of the one the most densely populated areas in the world. Current restoration efforts will continue to bring more to the park, which will increase quality of life throughout the city.
The island is actually two separate islands that have been joined together as a result of landfill, and it forms nearly a square mile of land. The area was first designated for park and recreational use by Robert Moses. In 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt opened the park in correspondence with the new Triborough (now the Robert F. Kennedy) Bridge. As is typical of many parks, public spaces or other institutions throughout New York City, it had fallen into neglect and disrepair by the 1970s and 80s. A park that had once opened to much fanfare and use had become a place with an undesirable reputation and was considered an area to avoid. That was the reality of the entire island until a comprehensive revitalization effort was begun by the city and various partners.
Randall's Island is certainly a unique setting for outdoor recreation and tranquility. An elevated interstate highway passes through the park as well as an elevated train line. The island is also home to the Manhattan Psychiatric Center, which is a high-rise hospital for the mentally ill on the edge of the island. Therefore a distinct industrial character permeates parts of the park, which is certainly not always the cases for popular green spaces. The present character and ongoing transformation of the park is largely credited towards the Randall's Island Park Alliance, which was founded in 1992 as a public-private partnership. The Alliance has been tasked with developing a plan for the revitalization as well as its management and operation alongside the New York Department of Parks & Recreation. The plan was introduced in 1999 and has been nearly fully realized.
Since the establishment of the Alliance, miles of pedestrian and bike paths have been restored, including much along the waterfront. Several new and popular sports facilities have also opened. One of the centerpieces of the ongoing construction efforts was the opening of Icahn Stadium in 2005, a modern track-and-field facility. More than 60 playing fields have also been implemented along with a tennis center that features 20 courts. Environmental restoration projects have been present as well, with over nine acres of restored wetlands as a prime example. Overall, the park features several examples of restoring degraded natural areas or utilizing land or structures reclaimed from institutional use.
The park is a treasure of New York City, as it is literally a centrally-located island oasis. It is not without its issues though, including limited pedestrian access from East Harlem, which suffers from a lack of adequate open space. Overall, the park could be better served in that aspect, as traveling via car and bus are still the most efficient ways to get to the island. However, the park still provides an incredible natural retreat in the heart of the one the most densely populated areas in the world. Current restoration efforts will continue to bring more to the park, which will increase quality of life throughout the city.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park is a prime example of transforming antiquated and under-used land into a healthy and popular public space attraction. The park, which is still being fully implemented, sits on the site of Brooklyn's once highly industrial waterfront, which featured a thriving port. However, as time progressed, the importance of the site decreased. As a result, the physical stock of both the land and infrastructure began to deteriorate. Recent efforts, though, have reclaimed this crucial parcel of land for public enjoyment and use. The park, which is located on the East River waterfront directly adjacent to and facing the skyline of Lower Manhattan, has rapidly become a popular spot in the borough. It has also aided incredibly in the re-emergence and redevelopment of neighborhoods within close proximity.
The face of Brooklyn has undergone quite a transformation near the turn of the twenty-first century and beyond. It has quickly became an artistic and cultural gathering place as well as incubator for all types of innovative ideas. Among the most prevalent of these innovations throughout the borough is through its redevelopment practices. The park itself is a thorough example of this, as it incorporates several existing historic structures into its design and infrastructure. It spans 85 acres along the East River shoreline near downtown Brooklyn, and its territory marches under both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The park also includes six piers and existing warehouses, as well as the Historic Fulton Ferry Landing. These are all remnants of an era where the Brooklyn riverfront played a vital role in the economic growth and dominance of New York City, especially during the era when Brooklyn was a separate municipality. It was a vital transportation and shipping node for not only the city, but the entire region. However, the site's fortunes changed with construction of the bridges to Manhattan, as well as the dominance of rail and, later, automobile transportation.
By the 1950s, the already deteriorating waterfront was dealt another setback as the Brooklyn Queens Expressway severed connections to Brooklyn Heights, a neighborhood directly to the east of it. By the 1980s, the Port Authority has stopped shipping operations at the port. Therefore, a double impact of decreased access and foot traffic combined with limited industry and business severely altered the site in a downward trajectory. It was during this time that concerned waterfront advocates began pushing for a redevelopment of the area, promoting it as a positive spot for public space. That same group grew into the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, which is currently charged with operating the park. In the late 1990s, a master plan for the park's development was created after an intensive public outreach process. By 2002, the city and state agreed to develop and operate the park in accordance with the guidelines put forth in the master plan. As a part of the agreement, there is a mandate that all park maintenance and operations are required to be economically self-sufficient, with funding coming from revenues from site commercial and residential development.
The park, which as of 2013 is not fully completed, features numerous paths, walkways, and attractions on a site that was once almost purely industrial. It is divided into eleven relatively unique but continuous sections, each with its own attractions, views, and topography. Concessions, unique developments, and environmental restoration projects dot the park's landscape. Numerous sports fields and facilities also play a prominent role in the park, and they serve a vital role in the dense city environment in which it is located. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a visionary project of reclaiming and improving with the public interest in mind. It is truly a park for the 21st century and, although not fully completed, is an example for other deteriorated waterfronts to follow, even if all cannot lay claim to a prized view of Manhattan.
The face of Brooklyn has undergone quite a transformation near the turn of the twenty-first century and beyond. It has quickly became an artistic and cultural gathering place as well as incubator for all types of innovative ideas. Among the most prevalent of these innovations throughout the borough is through its redevelopment practices. The park itself is a thorough example of this, as it incorporates several existing historic structures into its design and infrastructure. It spans 85 acres along the East River shoreline near downtown Brooklyn, and its territory marches under both the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The park also includes six piers and existing warehouses, as well as the Historic Fulton Ferry Landing. These are all remnants of an era where the Brooklyn riverfront played a vital role in the economic growth and dominance of New York City, especially during the era when Brooklyn was a separate municipality. It was a vital transportation and shipping node for not only the city, but the entire region. However, the site's fortunes changed with construction of the bridges to Manhattan, as well as the dominance of rail and, later, automobile transportation.
By the 1950s, the already deteriorating waterfront was dealt another setback as the Brooklyn Queens Expressway severed connections to Brooklyn Heights, a neighborhood directly to the east of it. By the 1980s, the Port Authority has stopped shipping operations at the port. Therefore, a double impact of decreased access and foot traffic combined with limited industry and business severely altered the site in a downward trajectory. It was during this time that concerned waterfront advocates began pushing for a redevelopment of the area, promoting it as a positive spot for public space. That same group grew into the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, which is currently charged with operating the park. In the late 1990s, a master plan for the park's development was created after an intensive public outreach process. By 2002, the city and state agreed to develop and operate the park in accordance with the guidelines put forth in the master plan. As a part of the agreement, there is a mandate that all park maintenance and operations are required to be economically self-sufficient, with funding coming from revenues from site commercial and residential development.
The park, which as of 2013 is not fully completed, features numerous paths, walkways, and attractions on a site that was once almost purely industrial. It is divided into eleven relatively unique but continuous sections, each with its own attractions, views, and topography. Concessions, unique developments, and environmental restoration projects dot the park's landscape. Numerous sports fields and facilities also play a prominent role in the park, and they serve a vital role in the dense city environment in which it is located. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a visionary project of reclaiming and improving with the public interest in mind. It is truly a park for the 21st century and, although not fully completed, is an example for other deteriorated waterfronts to follow, even if all cannot lay claim to a prized view of Manhattan.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Belle Isle Park - Detroit, MI
The largest urban island park in America resides within the city limits of Detroit. Belle Isle Park is a 982-acre oasis of open space within the city of Detroit. It is located just a few miles northeast of downtown in the Detroit River, which separates the United States from Canada. The MacArthur bridge allows access from the mainland of the Detroit side of the river. The bridge is pedestrian-friendly, so the park is accessible to anyone who desires to visit it. The park has been a consistent attraction for a city that has experienced more than its fair share of troubles, particularly in the latter half of the twentieth century and beyond.
Detroit has lost more than half its population from its peak period in the 1950s, when the total was over 1.9 million. As of 2010, the population had dropped all the way to around 713,000, a decline of over a million people. The city has lost more population than it currently has since 1950. The ramifications of this decline are widespread and mostly beyond the scope of this article. It is not an easy topic to digest, discuss, or tackle. However, Belle Isle Park has managed to remain somewhat of a bright spot within the city throughout much of this turmoil. It provides an incredible outlet for city to escape the realities of living in a city mired in such a state. Recreation, exercise, and cultural attractions are abound throughout the park, all adding to quality of life indicators for city residents. Various paths and roadways wind throughout the park, providing relatively easy access to most of the park's 982 acres.The park itself is a sublime mix of natural beauty mixed with architectural and landscape design.
The park has a long history and is listed on the U.S. Register of National Historic Places. The island has been preserved since the mid 1800s, and a design plan for the park was created by the famous Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1880s. However, the park was not fully implemented in his vision, although he did heavily contribute. The park as it currently exists features numerous trails, paths, and recreation and sports facilities, but also several cultural attractions. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is a popular attraction as well as the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which focuses on Great Lakes shipping and maritime history. Two other popular attractions are the James Scott Memorial Fountain, which dates back to 1925, and the Belle Isle Conservatory. A greenhouse and botanical garden comprise the Conservatory, which has been in existence since 1904 and is free to visit for everyone.
A key components of the park's current condition and even existence is the work of non-profit and volunteer groups. They have taken the initiative to care for the park in ways in which the city itself has been unable. For example, the park was forced to close the park's popular aquarium in 2005 due to funding and operational issues. However, the work of these groups led an effort that resulted in a successful reopening in 2012. The aquarium fully run by volunteers. Overall, the park is a monument to the city's glorious past as well as its promise. It is the public park showcase of what once was one of the top American cities. However, the park's future is constantly in question as Detroit continues to struggle with economic and management problems. But the park still plays an incredibly valuable role in city life, and is yet another example of how non-profit, private, and volunteer groups can maintain and protect cherished public spaces.
Detroit has lost more than half its population from its peak period in the 1950s, when the total was over 1.9 million. As of 2010, the population had dropped all the way to around 713,000, a decline of over a million people. The city has lost more population than it currently has since 1950. The ramifications of this decline are widespread and mostly beyond the scope of this article. It is not an easy topic to digest, discuss, or tackle. However, Belle Isle Park has managed to remain somewhat of a bright spot within the city throughout much of this turmoil. It provides an incredible outlet for city to escape the realities of living in a city mired in such a state. Recreation, exercise, and cultural attractions are abound throughout the park, all adding to quality of life indicators for city residents. Various paths and roadways wind throughout the park, providing relatively easy access to most of the park's 982 acres.The park itself is a sublime mix of natural beauty mixed with architectural and landscape design.
The park has a long history and is listed on the U.S. Register of National Historic Places. The island has been preserved since the mid 1800s, and a design plan for the park was created by the famous Frederick Law Olmsted in the 1880s. However, the park was not fully implemented in his vision, although he did heavily contribute. The park as it currently exists features numerous trails, paths, and recreation and sports facilities, but also several cultural attractions. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is a popular attraction as well as the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which focuses on Great Lakes shipping and maritime history. Two other popular attractions are the James Scott Memorial Fountain, which dates back to 1925, and the Belle Isle Conservatory. A greenhouse and botanical garden comprise the Conservatory, which has been in existence since 1904 and is free to visit for everyone.
A key components of the park's current condition and even existence is the work of non-profit and volunteer groups. They have taken the initiative to care for the park in ways in which the city itself has been unable. For example, the park was forced to close the park's popular aquarium in 2005 due to funding and operational issues. However, the work of these groups led an effort that resulted in a successful reopening in 2012. The aquarium fully run by volunteers. Overall, the park is a monument to the city's glorious past as well as its promise. It is the public park showcase of what once was one of the top American cities. However, the park's future is constantly in question as Detroit continues to struggle with economic and management problems. But the park still plays an incredibly valuable role in city life, and is yet another example of how non-profit, private, and volunteer groups can maintain and protect cherished public spaces.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Schenley Park - Pittsburgh, PA
Schenley Park is a prized and vital attraction that provides an invaluable service to the city of Pittsburgh. It is a large municipal park composed of 456 acres that is located on the eastern side of the urban core of the city. Created in 1889, it is now designated as a historic district by The National Register of Historic Places. The park is named after Mary Schenley, who donated the initial 300 acres of land to the city for public park purposes. The park has become a civic centerpiece and source of pride for the city, and it borders the boundaries of two esteemed academic institutions in the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. As a result, the park is heavily used and provides a pivotal slice of nature for inner-city Pittsburgh while improving the quality of life of its surroundings.
The park features several miles of hiking and recreational trails that wind through both well-landscaped and wild areas. The park's current landscape and visual appearance was the result of much alteration on the city's behalf. In the park's nascent years, the land was mostly barren. Widespread planting and landscaping was implemented to address this and it added considerable character to the park. Now the park is a heavily forested space featuring a diversity of plant and tree species. It is also home to many of Pittsburgh's prized cultural and recreation attractions, even though some have disappeared from the park throughout time. The park hosts the Bob O'Connor Golf Course, which is a full 18-hole public course on rolling terrain. In addition the Schenley Oval Sportsplex is home to a variety of fields and opportunities, including thirteen tennis courts, an all-weather running track, a soccer field, and cross country trails, among others. An 18-hole disc golf course is also located on park property, and it is a popular destination for the activity's growing following. Furthermore, wide open spaces are in abundance such as Panther Hollow Valley, a woodland valley with streams located just minutes from dense city development. Panther Hollow Lake is it's centerpiece and was created artificially in 1909 to provide nature access for urban dwellers. It is also the current recipient of a thorough restoration project to restore and improve its condition, which has deteriorated significantly over time.
Several built structures also serve as park highlights. The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, located on the northern edges of the park, is one of the largest of its kind in the country. Located within a renovated Victorian glasshouse, it has been a park institution since opening in 1893. The Westinghouse Memorial is also a favored spot and is a masterpiece of landscape architecture. The monument, which honors inventor and industrialist George Westinghouse, and its surrounding pond and topography were all exquisitely and privately despite its rustic and natural appearance. There are many other things to highlight in the park as well, but all that needs to be said is that Schenley Park is an incredible civic asset to Pittsburgh. The city is not known to outsiders for natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. This park proves that notion wrong and provides city residents with a valuable natural retreat. That is the most significant reason the park has enjoyed its popularity for over 100 years and counting.
The park features several miles of hiking and recreational trails that wind through both well-landscaped and wild areas. The park's current landscape and visual appearance was the result of much alteration on the city's behalf. In the park's nascent years, the land was mostly barren. Widespread planting and landscaping was implemented to address this and it added considerable character to the park. Now the park is a heavily forested space featuring a diversity of plant and tree species. It is also home to many of Pittsburgh's prized cultural and recreation attractions, even though some have disappeared from the park throughout time. The park hosts the Bob O'Connor Golf Course, which is a full 18-hole public course on rolling terrain. In addition the Schenley Oval Sportsplex is home to a variety of fields and opportunities, including thirteen tennis courts, an all-weather running track, a soccer field, and cross country trails, among others. An 18-hole disc golf course is also located on park property, and it is a popular destination for the activity's growing following. Furthermore, wide open spaces are in abundance such as Panther Hollow Valley, a woodland valley with streams located just minutes from dense city development. Panther Hollow Lake is it's centerpiece and was created artificially in 1909 to provide nature access for urban dwellers. It is also the current recipient of a thorough restoration project to restore and improve its condition, which has deteriorated significantly over time.
Several built structures also serve as park highlights. The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, located on the northern edges of the park, is one of the largest of its kind in the country. Located within a renovated Victorian glasshouse, it has been a park institution since opening in 1893. The Westinghouse Memorial is also a favored spot and is a masterpiece of landscape architecture. The monument, which honors inventor and industrialist George Westinghouse, and its surrounding pond and topography were all exquisitely and privately despite its rustic and natural appearance. There are many other things to highlight in the park as well, but all that needs to be said is that Schenley Park is an incredible civic asset to Pittsburgh. The city is not known to outsiders for natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. This park proves that notion wrong and provides city residents with a valuable natural retreat. That is the most significant reason the park has enjoyed its popularity for over 100 years and counting.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
Prospect Park is one of the centerpieces of Brooklyn. It is a large public park that is strategically located within the borough, and has been an extremely valuable economic development catalyst for its surrounding neighborhoods. In an environment as dense as New York City, neighborhoods that are in close proximity to attractive and user-friendly public spaces are highly prized. As Brooklyn has become increasingly revitalized in recent decades, the neighborhoods directly adjacent to Park Slope and the park have experienced a dramatically positive economic turnaround. The attraction that is helping to pull people and investment to the area is a nearly 600 acre classic park that provides a valuable slice of nature that is comparable to a more wild version of Central Park. That comparison is not a coincidence, as Fredrick Law Olmsted is the mind and designer behind both parks that are now cultural and historic milestones for the city.
Prospect Park is a long ingrained cornerstone of Brooklyn life. The park has been open to the public since 1867, and has changed much in character and design since this initial date. A desire for the park grew directly from the successful development of Central Park, located a few miles away across the East River in Manhattan. A 585-acre oasis of natural beauty within the most densely urbanized region in America was the result of this desire. It is one of the prized masterpieces of the Olmsted park collection. The park itself is diverse, reflecting the extremely diverse character of Brooklyn and the neighborhoods that surround it. Olmsted designed the park to feature three distinct regions including a long open meadow, a heavily wooded ravine area, and a 60-acre lake. Originally imagined a place for rural retreat within city limits, its character and use has changed a bit over time. New additions to the original concept a zoo, playgrounds, public meeting spaces, and a bandshell, among others. Also, formalized entrances were later added to major park entrances. However, despite all of the activity, the park maintains an extremely natural and rural character (minus the crowds of people) throughout much of its interior. This is an invaluable asset to Brooklyn and New York City residents that exist in extremely dense and crowded environments.
However, as with much of New York City, the park experienced a period of decline in the latter half of the twentieth century. Popularity and overuse of facilities within the park led to declining conditions. This combined with a decrease in available funding to create an overall deterioration of facilities and conditions. As the neighborhoods surrounding the park changed and declined, the park followed suit. It was a similar trajectory to its sister in Manhattan, Central Park. However, the park enjoyed less funding and visitors than its celebrated sibling. By 1979, annual park visits had dropped to its lowest total in over 100 years. It became known as a dangerous place to avoid, which goes against all that it should stand for. An alteration in thinking had to occur and, by the 1980s, the NYC Parks Department entered into a partnership with Prospect Park Alliance, a non-profit organization, to manage and care for the park. The Alliance has been able to steadily increase private support and restoration of the park. Restoration efforts have been successfully implemented throughout many of the park's sectors. They have helped immensely to steer projects where the Parks Department have been unable to do so due to budget limitations and attention given to other city parks.
Prospect Park is now perhaps in a better condition than which it has ever been before. Brooklyn, New York City, and the park have all recently experienced a renaissance. The park is now safer and more popular than ever. It's surrounding neighborhoods are all on a consistent economic upswing. It is not a coincidence that they are within such close proximity to the grandest public space in all of Brooklyn. The park also serves as another prime example of the importance of public-private partnerships in maintenance and operation of valuable public spaces.
Prospect Park is a long ingrained cornerstone of Brooklyn life. The park has been open to the public since 1867, and has changed much in character and design since this initial date. A desire for the park grew directly from the successful development of Central Park, located a few miles away across the East River in Manhattan. A 585-acre oasis of natural beauty within the most densely urbanized region in America was the result of this desire. It is one of the prized masterpieces of the Olmsted park collection. The park itself is diverse, reflecting the extremely diverse character of Brooklyn and the neighborhoods that surround it. Olmsted designed the park to feature three distinct regions including a long open meadow, a heavily wooded ravine area, and a 60-acre lake. Originally imagined a place for rural retreat within city limits, its character and use has changed a bit over time. New additions to the original concept a zoo, playgrounds, public meeting spaces, and a bandshell, among others. Also, formalized entrances were later added to major park entrances. However, despite all of the activity, the park maintains an extremely natural and rural character (minus the crowds of people) throughout much of its interior. This is an invaluable asset to Brooklyn and New York City residents that exist in extremely dense and crowded environments.
However, as with much of New York City, the park experienced a period of decline in the latter half of the twentieth century. Popularity and overuse of facilities within the park led to declining conditions. This combined with a decrease in available funding to create an overall deterioration of facilities and conditions. As the neighborhoods surrounding the park changed and declined, the park followed suit. It was a similar trajectory to its sister in Manhattan, Central Park. However, the park enjoyed less funding and visitors than its celebrated sibling. By 1979, annual park visits had dropped to its lowest total in over 100 years. It became known as a dangerous place to avoid, which goes against all that it should stand for. An alteration in thinking had to occur and, by the 1980s, the NYC Parks Department entered into a partnership with Prospect Park Alliance, a non-profit organization, to manage and care for the park. The Alliance has been able to steadily increase private support and restoration of the park. Restoration efforts have been successfully implemented throughout many of the park's sectors. They have helped immensely to steer projects where the Parks Department have been unable to do so due to budget limitations and attention given to other city parks.
Prospect Park is now perhaps in a better condition than which it has ever been before. Brooklyn, New York City, and the park have all recently experienced a renaissance. The park is now safer and more popular than ever. It's surrounding neighborhoods are all on a consistent economic upswing. It is not a coincidence that they are within such close proximity to the grandest public space in all of Brooklyn. The park also serves as another prime example of the importance of public-private partnerships in maintenance and operation of valuable public spaces.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Gas Works Park - Seattle, WA
Gas Works Park in Seattle is one of the classic examples of the adaptive re-use of industrial land. The roughly 20-acre site has been transformed from an industrial plant area that was used to manufacture gas from coal into an inventive public park space. It was also one of the first in the growing trend of reinventing industrial or contaminated sites into parkland. Opening in 1975 to the public, the park is one the true forerunners of the positive movement of reclaiming under-used land to promote the quality of life of the general public.
The park commands a valuable parcel of real estate on the northern shore of Lake Union in central Seattle. In a city defined by water and incredible access to shoreline, Gas Works Park holds one of the most scenic spots along the waterfront within the city limits. Looking directly south, the park has an incredible vantage point of the downtown skyline as well as other waterfront neighborhoods that line Lake Union. This public treasure was once the site of Seattle Gas Light Company's gasification plant, which was in operation for fifty years from 1906 until 1956. The plant was used to manufacture gas from coal, which was later converted to crude oil. It was a highly important piece to Seattle's infrastructure up until 1956, when the city decided to convert its energy consumption towards natural gas. As a result, the plant ceased operations. However, its buildings along the waterfront site remained. The city bought the site in 1962 and dedicated it towards park purposes in an effort to create valuable space for the public.
The park, which opened to the public thirteen years after the municipal purchase, incorporates the infrastructure of the former plant in its design and layout. Some of the old plant's structures stand as ruins while others have been preserved in various forms, including being painted. A prime example of re-using existing infrastructure is the renovation of the former exhauster-compressor building into a brightly-painted children's play barn. This was achieved after the site and the remaining structures had been thoroughly inspected and cleaned up. This was a major reason the park did not open to the public until 1975 despite being purchased over a decade earlier. The remaining structures were allowed to stay due to extensive research and public outreach that determined the incredible value of preversing a piece of Seattle's industrial history.
The final result of the park is an extremely well-designed urban space. A former place to avoid and even an eyesore along Lake Union has become a prime attraction. The 20-acre park is composed of gently rolling hills that provide a space for relaxation or passive recreation. The former industrial infrastructure is now a cherished Seattle institution, as it stands out as monument to history among its rather modernized surrounding landscape. It showcases Seattle's industrial heritage while also featuring its forward-thinking present and sustainable future. Most importantly, the park provides more valuable open space within a highly urbanized area. Even in a city as blessed as Seattle is in regards to open space and the natural environment, that is always something to be cherished.
The park commands a valuable parcel of real estate on the northern shore of Lake Union in central Seattle. In a city defined by water and incredible access to shoreline, Gas Works Park holds one of the most scenic spots along the waterfront within the city limits. Looking directly south, the park has an incredible vantage point of the downtown skyline as well as other waterfront neighborhoods that line Lake Union. This public treasure was once the site of Seattle Gas Light Company's gasification plant, which was in operation for fifty years from 1906 until 1956. The plant was used to manufacture gas from coal, which was later converted to crude oil. It was a highly important piece to Seattle's infrastructure up until 1956, when the city decided to convert its energy consumption towards natural gas. As a result, the plant ceased operations. However, its buildings along the waterfront site remained. The city bought the site in 1962 and dedicated it towards park purposes in an effort to create valuable space for the public.
The park, which opened to the public thirteen years after the municipal purchase, incorporates the infrastructure of the former plant in its design and layout. Some of the old plant's structures stand as ruins while others have been preserved in various forms, including being painted. A prime example of re-using existing infrastructure is the renovation of the former exhauster-compressor building into a brightly-painted children's play barn. This was achieved after the site and the remaining structures had been thoroughly inspected and cleaned up. This was a major reason the park did not open to the public until 1975 despite being purchased over a decade earlier. The remaining structures were allowed to stay due to extensive research and public outreach that determined the incredible value of preversing a piece of Seattle's industrial history.
The final result of the park is an extremely well-designed urban space. A former place to avoid and even an eyesore along Lake Union has become a prime attraction. The 20-acre park is composed of gently rolling hills that provide a space for relaxation or passive recreation. The former industrial infrastructure is now a cherished Seattle institution, as it stands out as monument to history among its rather modernized surrounding landscape. It showcases Seattle's industrial heritage while also featuring its forward-thinking present and sustainable future. Most importantly, the park provides more valuable open space within a highly urbanized area. Even in a city as blessed as Seattle is in regards to open space and the natural environment, that is always something to be cherished.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)