Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation University at Buffalo Regional Institute 17 January 2019 Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc.
Who is MVVA?
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NY
How do we work?
Design Process: Internal Design Development + Community Workshops
DESIGN COMMUNITY FEEDBACK CONCEPTUAL DESIGN SCHEME we are here conceptual costing conceptual design schematic design design development construction documents project construction Concept Development Phase Workflow
Existing Conditions Analysis
Buffalo, NY Niagra River Riverwalk and multi-use trails Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park Canada United States Legend Riverwalk and multi-use trails Lake Erie Project Site in Context
Lakeview Neighborhood Colonel Francis G. Ward Pumping Station Project Site Columbus Neighborhood Waterfront Neighborhood Lakefront Blvd Front Park Neighborhood Interstate 190 (former Erie Canal) Lake Erie 0 250 500 ft Porter Avenue Hudson Street Project Boundary Black Rock Canal Bird Island Pier Niagara River
Lakeview Neighborhood Front Park Neighborhood Porter Avenue Jersey street Hudson Street Niagara Street Columbus Neighborhood Church Street Interstate 190 (former Erie Canal) Legend Park Entrances 10 Min. walk to LaSalle Route # 5 Route # 8 Route # 40 Colonel Francis G. Ward Pumping Station Lakefront Blvd Black Rock Canal Waterfront Neighborhood Erie Street Route # 29 Route # 6 Route # 22 Lake Erie Closest bus stops 0 350 600 ft Existing Park Access + Urban Connections
Fron t Park Neig ighb hbor orho hoodod Porter Avenue Lake kevi ew Neig ighb orho hood od Hudson Street Colu lumbus Ne ighb hbor hood Inte ters tatete 190 (former Erie Canal) Legend P P Colo lone nel Fran anci cis G. War ard Pump mpin ing St at ion P P Projec tboun oundar y d l Lakefront Blv Wate rfro ront Neig ighb orho hood od Multi-Modal Access Pedestrian & Bicycle Access Pedestrian Path Bicycle Path Black Rock Canal P Road Parking Lots On-Street Parking Bird Island Pier Lake Erie 0 250 500 ft Existing Park Circlulation
Fron t Park Neig ighb hbor ho od Port er Ave venu e La ke view Neig ighb hbor orho hood od INTERSTATE-190 - Undesired noise Hu ds on Str tree t Co lumb us Neig ighb or ho od WATERFRONT NEIGHBORHOOD - Private land Inte ters tate te 190 (fo form rmer Eri rie Ca nal) Co lo nel Fran anci s G. War ard Pu mpin ing St at ion d l Lakefront Blv Wate rfro ront Neig ighb orho hood od PORTER AVE - Two-way road Black Rock Canal PUMPING STATION - Fenced off for Homeland Security Lake Erie WATERFRONT - Breathtaking views - Wind 0 250 500 ft The Edges of the Park
Fron ont Park Neig hb or hood od Port rter Ave. Lake view Neig ighb hbor orho hood od Hu dson St. Colu lumb us Neig ighb hbor hood In ters tate te 190 (fo form rmer Eri rie Cana l) LEGEND Picnic Shelter Pool/ Splash Pad Playground Skate Park Colo lone nel Fran anci s G. War d Pu mp ing Station d l Lakefront Blv Wate terf rfro ront Ne ighb or hood od Athletic Fields Event Lawn Black Rock Canal Dog Park Passive Lawn Space Pavilion Lake Erie 0 250 500 ft Existing Programming
Seasonal Park Use JAN. FEB. MARCH ARPIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. NOV. DEC. Pool & Splash Pad Skate Park Riverwalk Trail Baseball Diamonds Football Field Soccer Fields Dog Park ( The Barkyard ) Pavilion Picnic Shelters
Fron ont Park Neig ighb or ho od Port er Ave. Lake view Ne ighb orho hood od Hu dson St. Colu lumb mbus Neig ighb hbor hood LEGEND In ters tate te 190 (fo form rmer Eri rie Cana nal) Percent of Site Coverage Tree Canopy 12% Open Lawn 44% Colo lone nel Fran anci s G. War d Pu mp ing Stat ation d l Lakefront Blv Wate terf rfro ront Ne ighb orho hood od Recreational 40% Black Rock Canal Lake Erie 0 250 500 ft Existing Planting
I V E P A S S A C T RCWJC PARK I V E ACCESSIBLE CIRCULATION Correct Mix of Uses
Initial Design Observations
1. Build on the Strengths of LaSalle Park while Transforming it into Ralph C. Wilson Jr., Centennial Park. Develop LaSalle into a world class park through strategic interventions and overall enhancements that build on what the community already values about it and the site s unique assets.
LaSalle Park is a Welcoming Place for All
It Supports Activities for Different Interests and Age Groups
Flexible Spaces Accommodate Large Gatherings and Events
Various Athletic Facilities Serve the Surrounding Diverse Community
The Site is Powerful and Boundless
Waterfront Views are Exceptional
2. Re-imagine the Waterfront and Engage the Rest of the Park. Integrate a mix of hard and soft edges along the waterfront that reveal daily and seasonal water level changes and provide opportunities for the community to interact with the water in diverse ways.
Distinct Shoreline Treatments Add Experiential Complexity along the Waterfront
Embrace the Water s Edge
Engage the Water
3. Enrich the Park Experience with Topography and Planting. Introduce topography and planting to articulate spaces, hide and reveal views, block undesired sounds and sights, add rhythm and complexity to circulation network, display seasonality, and provide protection from elements.
Planting and Topography Articulate Spaces and Create Flow Between Them
Subtle Elevation Changes Enhance Movement through the Park
Landforms Block Undesired Noise and Sights
Plants and Seasonal Interest
Support Wildlife
4. Strengthen Neighborhood Connections and Improve Park Circulation. Provide safe, welcoming, and accessible entrances to the park to facilitate arrival from surrounding neighborhoods. Establish a hierarchical circulation network that allows visitors to move and experience the park in unique ways.
Integrate a Safe & Accessible Pedestrian and Bike Bridge into the Park
Establish a Hierarchy of Pedestrian Paths
Extend Vehicular, Bike, and Pedestrian Circulation to Reach Selective Programming
Integrate Parking into the Park
5. Make The Park a Welcoming and Diverse Place for Everyone to Enjoy Year-round. Orchestrate an ensemble of diverse and flexible spaces that provide opportunities for active recreation, passive uses, and temporary occupation throughout the year for Buffalonians of all backgrounds and age ranges.
Places for Organized Sports
Places for Unstructured Recreation
Places for Year-round Use
Places to Take In Views
Places to Engage with Water
Places for Exploration
Places for Play
Places for Families
Places for Groups and Individuals
Places for Dogs
Flexible Places that can be Temporarily Owned
Places for Delight
Places for Temporary Art Pieces
Places for Respite
Places for Assembly
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park will continue to be a Place for All!
Worksession - Feedback Stations