Parks as Multi-Use Destinations and Catalysts for Community Revitalization by Cynthia Nikitin, Senior VP Project for Public Spaces

43 countries, 6 continents,

50 US states, 7 Canadian provinces,

110 major cities, 3,000 communities

37k @PPS_Placemaking followers

44k facebook likes

1m www.pps.org visitors per year

37K newsletter subscribers

“What attracts people most it would appear, is other

people.”

“If you want to seed a place with activity, put out food.”

“We are creating a place, not just a design.””

“The community is the expert.”

Project for Public Spaces, Inc.

“You can’t do it alone. ”

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?

“We have to turn

everything upside down

to get it right side up.

To get from adequate

to extraordinary.”

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

Traffic, Transit & the Pedestrian

• Connected to adjacent areas

• Range of transportation options

• Vehicles do not dominate

Sign Locations/ Information Nodes

The Edges

• Active edge uses

• Gateways and entrances

• Focal points

The Inner Park & the Outer Park

PITTSBURGH: Market Square

Attractions & Destinations

• Choices of things to do

• Triangulation opportunities

• Clustered activity around destinations

• Focal Points

Sponsored benches in Zurich

Temporary sculpture

Temporary photography exhibit

Outdoor piano and seating area with WiFi connection

Temporary stage for musical performances

Open air movie night series in the park

Seasonal Strategies• Flower Show• Fashion Show• Xmas Market• Antique Show• Play Equipment• Cultural Festivals

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

Winter Wonderland display around fountain

Temporary ice skating rink around fountain Holiday market around fountain

Lighting the trees with ornaments

Identity & Image• Showcase local, authentic assets

• District signage

• Historic highlights

Wayfinding Signage Systems

Informational sign with events brochures Signage promoting events

Flexible Design

• Overlapping and

changing uses

• Form supports function

• All day activation

• Place should evolve over time

• Experiment with low cost improvements

Programmed Uses and Activities

• Recreation/Exercise• Play• Games• Performance• Public Art• Environment/Educational• Community events

Exercise

Play!

Performances

Public Art

Environment and Education

Community Events

Community Events

Amenities

• Attracts cross-section of users

• Source of local/regional civic pride

• Comfortable places to sit

• Food and markets

Amenities:

Prioritize

Upgrade amenities throughout the Parks

Temporary café kiosks with movable seating, tables and shading structures

Examples of consistent design of amenities such as chairs, tables, umbrellas, kiosks and market tents

Temporary kiosks at entrance

Temporary cafe kiosk with shaded seating in garden setting

Triangulate!

Providence: Burnside Park: Rendering

Providence: Burnside Park: The Imagination Center

Providence: Burnside Park: Family Reading Room

Place Management

• Management through:

– Security/Maintenance

– Programming Events

– Managing Destinations

– Providing Amenities

Develop a plan for a management entity to handle the planning and

management of all events, coordinate management of operations and

oversee economic activities

Diverse Funding Base

Security --City Funding

23%

Facility -Parks

Department6%

Event Rentals

18%Event Sponsorships

12%

Tenant Leases

24%

In Kind Donations

17%

Reach out like an Octopus

Reach out like

an OctopusConnect 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 theneighborhoods

• Connect to other destinations and to the downtown

• Become a district

The Power of Ten

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

THE POWER OF TEN: PLACE

THE POWER OF 10: DESTINATIONS

POWER OF 10: CITY

Central Park

Times Sq

Bryant Park

Madison Sq

Union Sq

Washington Sq

Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper

• Comfort, Amenities & Public Art

• Activation Events

• Interim Public Spaces

• Light Development

Baltimore, MD: City Hall Plaza

San Antonio: Travis Park

San Antonio: Travis Park: Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper

San Antonio: Travis Park: Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper

San Antonio: Travis Park: Before

San Antonio: Travis Park: Opening Day, Evening

San Antonio: Travis Park: Concepts and Diagrams

San Antonio: Travis Park: Rendering

San Antonio: Travis Park: Opening Day

Congress Square Park Portland, ME

Hemming Park Jacksonville, FL

Providence: Burnside Park: Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper

Burnside Park Providence RI

Belle Isle Waterfront Detroit, MI

Theaters/

Museums

Transit

HospitalsCoffee

Shops

Libraries

Schools

Parks

Community

Centers

City Halls

ChurchesOffices

Communities Today

City Halls Community

centers

Theaters/

Museums

TransitHospitals

Coffee

Shops

Libraries

Schools

Civic Squares

Community Gathering

Spaces/Parks

Churches

Offices

Communities

of the Future

pps.org (read our blog, subscribe to our free newsletter)

@PPS_Placemaking

facebook.com/ProjectforPublicSpaces

PPS_Placemaking