Presentation from Park Pride's 2015 Parks and Greenspace Conference. The presenter is Cynthia Nikitin.
With the importance of parks growing in the public's consciousness, now is the time to question what distinguishes great parks. Project for Public Spaces has identified nine strategies that help parks achieve their full potential to become active, multi-use, accessible, inclusive, safe public spaces that enhance neighborhoods and catalyze local economic development, highlight community authenticity and support multiple users.
10. Placemaking is a movement that reimagines public spaces as
the heart of every community. Rooted in community-based
participation, Placemaking involves the planning, design,
management and programming of public spaces and
capitalizes on a community’s assets and potential to create
vibrant destinations—such as neighborhood gardens,
community markets, and downtown squares. For the past 40
years, Placemaking has sparked social, economic, and
environmental benefits to communities around the world.
WHAT IS PLACEMAKING?
11. “We have to turn
everything upside down
to get it right side up.
To get from adequate
to extraordinary.”
12.
13.
14. Qualities of Great Urban Parks
Traffic, Transit & the Pedestrian
The Edge Uses
Attractions & Destinations
Seasonal Strategy
Identity & Image
Flexibly Designed
Programming
Amenities
Triangulate
Place Management:
Central to the Solution
Diverse Funding Sources
Reach Out Like an Octopus
Lighter Quicker Cheaper
15. Traffic, Transit & the Pedestrian
• Connected to adjacent
areas
• Range of transportation
options
• Vehicles do not dominate
25. Outdoor piano and seating area with WiFi connection
Temporary stage for musical performances
Open air movie night series in the park
26. Seasonal Strategies
• Flower Show
• Fashion Show
• Xmas Market
• Antique Show
• Play Equipment
• Cultural Festivals
27. Develop a program of innovative and interesting events around
different ages, cultures and seasons that extends throughout the year
An outdoor holiday market
Temporary farmers market
28. Winter Wonderland display around fountain
Temporary ice skating rink around fountain
Holiday market around fountain
Lighting the trees with ornaments
32. Flexible Design
• Overlapping and
changing uses
• Form supports function
• All day activation
• Place should evolve over
time
• Experiment with low cost
improvements
33.
34. Programmed Uses
and Activities
• Recreation/Exercise
• Play
• Games
• Performance
• Public Art
• Environment/Educational
• Community events
61. Develop a plan for a management entity to handle the planning and
management of all events, coordinate management of operations and
oversee economic activities
62.
63.
64. Diverse Funding Base
Security --
City Funding
23%
Facility -
Parks
Department
6%
Event
Rentals
18%Event
Sponsorships
12%
Tenant
Leases
24%
In Kind
Donations
17%
65. Reach out like an Octopus
Reach out like
an Octopus
Connect to other destinations
and to the downtown
Link downtown activities,
products, and services to the
Trail
• Add on to and
enhance the place by
reaching out into the
neighborhoods
• Connect to other
destinations and to
the downtown
• Become a district
67. POWER OF 10: PLACE
1. Read
the paper
2.
Window
shop
3. Learn about
upcoming events
4. Go
inside! 5. Walk by
6. Sit &
relax
7. Read
someone
else’s book
8. Take a
break from a
bike ride
9. Pet
a dog
10. Have a
conversation