Westbrook Park sits in the middle of downtown Cordele, right across Eleventh Avenue and the Albany State University Satellite Campus. It was established in 2003 after the land was donated to the city under the premise it must remain a park. The goal of this project was to redesign the park to maximize its ability to host events and foster community. With the help of our Cordele representative, we sent out surveys to Crisp County residents to get an understanding of the population’s opinions of Downtown. The most valuable were the open-ended responses describing what Downtown Cordele needs.

The aim of the project was to revitalize the park to enhance its usability and aesthetic appeal. This would include new landscaping, seating areas, and interactive features to foster community engagement and provide a welcoming environment for all residents and to drive business. Three design alternatives were created and presented to the community for feedback.

Before synthesizing our alternatives into one plan, we visited Cordele to get feedback before finalizing the design. The City hosted a “Sip and Stroll”; the event included city comissioners, city employees, Albany State University employees, and reisdents. We began the walk around downtown, looking at concepts for future renovations around Cordele, ending at Westbrook Park. We talked with the group and got valuable feedback for the ending stages of the design process.

The final design for Westbrook Park achieves the goals of the project. Large open areas are great for intimate dining, recreation, and event venues. Planter boxes double as seatwalls, offering more linear space for people to recreate. Shade sails and canopy trees offer protection from the sun, and the wall mural gives the park important Cordele identify.