Analysis :
This park, known as Springfield's "front yard" is sited
between the city's oldest church, City Hall, the
Symphony Hall, the District Courthouse, and the
new Civic Center. It is a main point of interest along
the "Walk of Fame", which (as proposed) would
connect a series of parks and plazas to the
Basketball Hall of Fame which is located on the
Connecticut River to the south.
Unfortunately, the river has been disconnected from
the heart of the city by an imposing interstate 91.
Rising 25-30' above street level, it completely
amputates the vital artery from downtown. Little
economic effort from the State has left the city in a
financial crisis. Concerns over the homeless
population and the general lack of outside interest
have left a considerable mark on the park itself,
hardly seeing positive use, but for a few public
gatherings a year.
Colossal Black Oaks although gorgeous, darken and
confuse the scale of the site. Security becomes a
serious consideration when combined with
unmanaged evergreens and hedges which presently
serve as temporary places to for people to sleep.
The park is more like a corridor than a place to
play.A random plethora of oversized bronze settlers
mounted on horses interrupt any chance of an open
expanse. They dot the centers of spaces voiding any
potential adaptation, and in no way reflect the
current population's needs.
This park, known as Springfield's "front yard" is sited
between the city's oldest church, City Hall, the
Symphony Hall, the District Courthouse, and the
new Civic Center. It is a main point of interest along
the "Walk of Fame", which (as proposed) would
connect a series of parks and plazas to the
Basketball Hall of Fame which is located on the
Connecticut River to the south.
Unfortunately, the river has been disconnected from
the heart of the city by an imposing interstate 91.
Rising 25-30' above street level, it completely
amputates the vital artery from downtown. Little
economic effort from the State has left the city in a
financial crisis. Concerns over the homeless
population and the general lack of outside interest
have left a considerable mark on the park itself,
hardly seeing positive use, but for a few public
gatherings a year.
Colossal Black Oaks although gorgeous, darken and
confuse the scale of the site. Security becomes a
serious consideration when combined with
unmanaged evergreens and hedges which presently
serve as temporary places to for people to sleep.
The park is more like a corridor than a place to
play.A random plethora of oversized bronze settlers
mounted on horses interrupt any chance of an open
expanse. They dot the centers of spaces voiding any
potential adaptation, and in no way reflect the
current population's needs.
Program :
Useful public space and on site stormwater retention
are the primary program elements. A generous open
plaza serves the new Civic Center, and the various
degrees of enclosure from the series of spaces
allows for multiple uses and perceptions.
The surface runoff from the park is drawn into a
large retention basin which is an interactive and
educational feature as well as a solution to the
relatively high water table.
Lines are directly transposed from studies of
pedestrian circulation. Movement leads to
connectivity, directing one toward diffused
entrances, and into gathering spaces, ready for
momentary adaptation.
Useful public space and on site stormwater retention
are the primary program elements. A generous open
plaza serves the new Civic Center, and the various
degrees of enclosure from the series of spaces
allows for multiple uses and perceptions.
The surface runoff from the park is drawn into a
large retention basin which is an interactive and
educational feature as well as a solution to the
relatively high water table.
Lines are directly transposed from studies of
pedestrian circulation. Movement leads to
connectivity, directing one toward diffused
entrances, and into gathering spaces, ready for
momentary adaptation.
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Court Square Park
Springfield, MA
Springfield, MA