9AM

10AM

MAY + JUN + JUL 21

APR + AUG 21

MAR + SEP 21

FEB + OCT 21

JAN + NOV 21

DESIGN TEAM

Gray Organschi ArchitectureHöweler + Yoon ArchitecturePush Studio Nspire Green

PROJECT PARTNERS

Land Art Generator Initiative Willimantic Whitewater PartnershipInstitute for Sustainable Energy at ECSUConnecticut DECD Office of the Arts

E D D Y L I N E

EDDY LINE | 1

“An eddy line is the seam between a river’s faster, main jet of current and the slower cur-rent of an eddy. Crossing a placid eddy line gives pause on quiet waters—time, perhaps, to leave the mainstream and admire a pale ellipse of sand draped along the bank.”

-Ellen Meloy, Home Ground

II. AMPHITHEATER

Fanning planks of cross-laminated timber generate a river-facing amphitheater nestled into a natural depression on the site. At the crest of the amphitheater, an overlook springs out over the existing stone retaining wall, providing dramatic views of the river’s historic dam and future whitewater features.

The south-facing bowl of the amphitheater will provide a sunny spot for hikers, cyclists, and residents to enjoy a reprieve in nature. During festivals, competititions, or other cultural events, the stepped seating provides plenty of room for community fun.

I. SOLAR BEACON

A striking beacon marks the corner of Bridge Street and Riverside Drive, welcoming pedes-trians into the park beyond. Conceived as an “energy billboard,” the beacon’s south-facing PV array gathers solar energy by day and emits a gentle glow to the north by night.

As light bounces across the structure’s fanning horizontal fins, changes in color broadcast a signal to the community. Different colors might signal data about river flow, local energy consumption, holidays, or weather events.

EDDY LINE | 2

III. KAYAK CHUTE/PICNIC AREA

A visual complement to the amphitheater, the kayak chute twists and banks into the slope, forming bench seating, a picnic table and ultimately, a path into the water. Entering the riv-er just upstream of the historic dam, boaters may traverse the falls and then take out at a landing just below the dam for a quick portage back to the chute. This self-contained loop provides an ideal environment for whitewater demonstrations, training, or competition.

EDDY LINE | 3

BOWL

MOUNDSOLAR BEACON

BIKE STOP

LOOKOUT

FUTURE BRIDGE

SOU

TH AMPHITHEATER

SOLAR TOWER

SEATING

PICNIC TABLE

I. SITE FEATURES Destinations distributed across the site draw visitors across a varied topography.

II. CONNECTIVE THREADSThree primary axes direct circulation and divide programmatic zones.

III. FANNING SURFACESStepped infill surfaces generate seating, overlooks, and the geometry of the solar beacon.

CHUTE

RETAINING WALL FUTURE BRIDGE

I. III. II.

AIRLINE TRAIL

AIRLINE TRAIL

PORTAGE

BRIDGE

STRE

ET

MAIN STREET

HIG

H S

TREE

T

TRAIN ING LOOP

COLLECTIONDISPERSION

0’ - 0” (238’)

ESTIMATEDRIVER HEIGHT

-20’- 0”

T.O. EXISTINGCONCRETE WALL

-12’- 0”

T.O. RIVER OVERLOOK

- 2’- 0’ (236’)

COLOR CHANGE LED

HORIZONTAL STEEL FINS

HOLLOW STEEL COLUMN

TENSION ROD

PUBLIC INFORMATIONCENTER

GRAVEL SIDEWALK

THIN-FILM PV

CLT STRUCTURE FOR RIVER OVERLOOK

GLULAM BLEACHERS AND STEPS

EXISTING CONCRETEWALL

KAYAK PUT-IN

TOP SOIL

GABON RETAINING WALL

CRUSHED STONE

GEOTEXTILE FABRIC

GRADE AT ROAD

SLAB FOUNDATION

ROCK ANCHOR

EDDY LINE | 4

SITE

The park offers an eddy of calm at the confluence of several natural and man-made flows: water movement along the Willimantic River, vehicular traffic along Bridge street, pedestrian traffic from downtown, as well as bike traffic along the Airline Trail.