The 1-acre park’s design is youthful, whimsical, and engaging. A curvilinear pathway leads the user through the park’s elements including a splash pad, lawn space, basketball court, and multi-age play areas. NRPA states: “NRPA’s vision for the park was simple: Expand opportunities for residents of all ages to be active and enjoy each other’s company. The ultimate goal was a dynamic gathering space to experience new ways to play. Family reunions, live music, pickup basketball, or summer days on the splash pad are just some of the reasons this park will be a place where people come together.” 

The award-winning park’s design was centered around community building in a rural setting, and the stakeholders involved in the project facilitated public engagement opportunities, especially with youth, to understand the desires of the community. 

Chris Krehmeyer, Beyond Housing’s President and CEO (Major Stakeholder in the Project), states, “The Trojan Park project is a testament to the power of what’s possible when people come together. In this case, our community engagement was with more kids than adults. The equipment was designed by young people. They worked out the shapes, colors, and structures—including basketball courts at a time when many of them are being torn out elsewhere. We helped show them what they could wish for.” 

The success of this project is due to the effective collaboration between the diverse group of stakeholders.  

• • • There are opportunities for funding for a community park of this size 

    • Involving children in the process can produce creative, unique outcomes 

    • Success relies in reflecting the desires of the community in the final design 

For more information:

https://theljc.com/portfolio/trojan-park/  

https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/parksbuildcommunity/Trojan-Park-Revitalization/ 

https://www.beyondhousing.org/a-national-award-for-wellstons-trojan-park 

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2020-09-15/friday-wellstons-trojan-park-shows-what-parks-can-bring-to-a-community 

https://americas.uli.org/trojan-park-2020-uli-urban-open-space-awards-finalist/

Participants in the design workshops were directed first to “share what the square means to you,” and then they made collage models of what they dreamed the 1-acre greenspace adjacent to Waterville’s City Hall could be. The proposed master plan reflects the feedback that they received during the workshops, and the design highlights local historical events and culture to create a central gathering place for all people in Waterville. The park features public art, natural plantings, and placemaking tactics that reflect the local culture and ecology.  

While the project is not constructed to completion at this time, the community workshops set the stage for a successful design that community members will be able to be proud of, with their ideas and suggestions incorporated into the design.  

• Facilitating interactive activities such as model building engage the public with the space in a dynamic way rather than standard engagement tactics. 

• Reflecting local historical and cultural context in the final design allows community members to feel a sense of place and identity within a landscape. 

• Looking into funding from arts and culture related resources could be beneficial in the implementation phase. 

For more information:

https://www.watervillecreates.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Castonguay-Square-Design-2019.pdf 

https://www.watervillecreates.org/community/#section-12 

https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/waterville-castonguay-square-redesign-moves-forward 

This project creates an inclusive and flexible place. It successfully links its different areas together around the gathering space: the vast elliptic lawn. The heart of the park is established with group picnic and recreation spaces centered near the community garden and playground. The landmark entry, which features a summer splashing water and an open plaza for community events and programs. Generally, the distribution of different sized functional spaces provides infinite possibilities for local communities' activities. 

In December 2015, with $300,000 budgeted by Portland City Council, master planning was issued. During 2016-2017, the planning and public involvement process was completed.

The project fills a significant need for parks in one of Portland’s most diverse neighborhoods, successfully achieving the goal of establishing a vision for the park that is embraced by the community. It reflects a collaborative effort involving neighbors and community groups. And the engagement process created great enthusiasm for this park and a strong desire to accelerate the development process. 

Overall, it will become a valuable asset that defines the neighborhood and provide a sense of place and space for the community to gather, which will address access, safety, social needs, and recreation opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. 

•  Improve community engagement through public park design to gather the authentic and valuable input.

• Design for a diversity of activities for people of all ages to increase the recreation potential.

• Create a heart of the park surrounded by different areas to respond to the strong community desire and identity .

For more information:

https://www.portland.gov/parks/se-150th-and-division-street-community-garden#toc-size-in-acres 

https://www.mayerreed.com/portfolio/150th-se-division-park-master-plan/ 

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/583232 

Design elements are multi-functional, vibrant, and people-oriented. Using rectangle forms as the basic design language, this design is made up of four primary sites (play terrace, storm court, sponge lawn, and eco stairs).  Each site has a regular field with distinct features; meanwhile, it connects holistically and organically. Characterized by the bold usage of bright colors, the play areas provide a unique experience to children. Although the master plan seems simple at first glance, it is full of exquisite details, such as the change of elevation in the terrace garden and upper gallery.

The space serves as an anchor, inviting residents to build a community in the comfort and calm of the urban environment. It builds up the connection between new and existing residents, retail and housing, from urban plazas to lush gardens. 

Radiating outwards, the program creates recreation for both children and adults. One of the neighbors said, " I am so satisfied that my children and I come here every day for leisure." The three elements of neighborhood open spaces — park, streets, and homes — are designed to work as a complementary system, building the framework for an inviting community.  It is a unique and timeless stage where everyone can feel like the main character. With various amenities and environments, people can relax with friends and family for gatherings large and small.