Happy Parks and Recreation month! This month, we celebrate some cornerstones of our communities. When you think of public parks, maybe you think of Leslie Knope on the comedy TV show or bringing your dog to the local dog park. July is a chance to celebrate all public parks and everything they can do for our communities – to encourage time in nature, to provide free access to activities and entertainment, and to establish a sense of place.
While we think all park projects are good projects, here are some of our favorite park projects we’ve had the opportunity to complete at Hoyle Tanner over the last few years:
Dupont Splash Pad ~ 2017: Opened in 2017, the Dupont Splash pad is a summer destination for kids of all ages. The final design by Hoyle Tanner included the design of splash pad foundation supports, mechanical room upgrades and design of the new at grade concrete slab.
Riley Field & Sportsman’s Field ~ 2017: The 90-foot diamond field has been heavily used for many years and needed attention to bring it back to the quality field it once was. The design consisted of a complete overhaul of the infield with adding new infield mix. Second, third and home base were over-excavated and replaced with 12” of infield mix to protect players while sliding into the bases. Both batter’s boxes, home plate, and the pitcher’s mound were fully reconstructed using professional mound/plate clay. The skinned infield was reshaped for optimal playing and slope with new sod installed in the interior and on the perimeter to provide a clean cut between the infield and outfield. Many more improvements were made to not only enhance the aesthetics of the field, but to improve gameplay for athletes.
Sportsman Field Turf ~ 2019: The Town decided to make the investment into a new artificial turf field for multiple sport uses. Hoyle Tanner designed the new field from the ground up and provided a robust material base with an ADS AdvanEdge drainage system in a herringbone configuration. The underdrain system provides good overall drainage, combats high groundwater and protects the artificial turf from damage. The Shaw Sports Turf Legion Fiber System was selected by the Town due to the familiarity and experience on the high school field. The legion system is a quality system that looks like natural grass, allows for better ball roll and has excellent durability and infill control. The design also included regrading of the entire field and open drainage, a new Musco sports lighting system with automated controls and fencing upgrades.
Gossler Park ~ 2019: In 1935 the city created a Gossler Park to be used for events such as the model airplane championships and in 1955, the city selected the site to be repurposed for education while still maintaining the space for community gathering. Hoyle Tanner provided civil engineering design services for the reconstruction of the shared parking and recreation areas for the schools. The design was expedited to ensure the project was out to bid before summer vacation, allowing construction to take place when school was not in session. The site improvements included a new expanded parking lot with reconfigured sidewalks and ADA access, a new basketball court and soccer mini-pitch, modifications to the closed drainage system, updated landscaping and a new monument to highlight the history of the soldier the school honors. Hoyle Tanner also prepared construction cost estimates and assisted the City with the bidding process.
Sheehan-Basquil Park ~ 2021: This city park was being underutilized before the City decided to renovate it by add a new mini-pitch and parking area. After asking for public participation, new features were added and others were transformed. A new splash pad complemented the existing pool along with a new accessible playground, landscaping and lighting. We are proud of how park project came out and are excited to see its future phases.
Parks can be the anchors of communities or serve as alternatives to expensive recreation. They can be quiet places of reflection or places of play and athleticism. Our professionals are experienced with efficient site design that is conscientious and reflective of the community’s needs. Do you have a park that needs assessment, rehabilitation or to be designed? Reach out to me!
