Urban Farming Pocket Park: Recent activity

Whoops! I forgot to mention the literal formatting of the park! I really appreciate the land use, how it is all broken up into 3 parts (which may or may not exceed the area limit mentioned in my previous comment). I noticed how most of the seating, the small tables with four chairs, are not protected from sun exposure. Being in Nevada, I would assume there are blistering temperatures, which is especially bad for developing children as well as the elderly. How would you approach this? One thing I must note is the elaborate fountain design, which I really like! But I must ask, what purpose do the small pools serve? You never mentioned their intended purpose earlier, and I'm worried that they may potentially act as hazards around small children or unsuspecting passerby during the night (since there is no lighting). Another thing I noticed, is what happened to the electric towers in the pre-existing lot? Were they moved elsewhere? If so, how?

Hi Tbostic! I very much like your site, and wanted to give some in-depth feedback towards its design. I really love how you incorporated native plants into the area, being that greenery is important for both sustainable design and keeping an area alive and approachable. I also noticed the very, very large size of your site, being that you were able to include a market, entertainment area (amphitheater), and a garden. Earlier in the Collect Info phase, you claimed the total area was, "14374 square feet". I was able to locate exactly where your proposed site would be installed (where N 15th St meets E Poplar Ave.), and according to Google Earth, the total area of your site is roughly around 28,000 square feet. Wasn't the original ruling set for sites no larger than 14,500 square feet? Besides the area discrepancy, I also noticed how there weren't any demographics within your project. Do you feel demographics do a good job of projecting realistic standards for your site and how it will be maintained? Being in Northern Las Vegas, isn't this pivotal? Given Northern Las Vegas's financial troubles, where will the money needed to build and maintain such a large park come from? And granted the low income rates, will public bartering be practical? After all, there is a marketplace only around 3,000 feet away from the proposed site. I really feel the attempt to unite a disgruntled community via a green space is truly brilliant, but because of the site's secluded location and financial problems, would it have been more realistic to instead provide a relaxing space where visitors won't be inadvertently pressured to tend to a garden/marketplace? I'm afraid that when visitors visit the park, they're aware they have to enter a decision-making scenario that includes them using the garden/marketplace or not, which will most likely engender subtle stress, despite the amenity's honest intentions (check out this awesome TED talk on the "paradox of choice" http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice?languag...). Although the intentions behind integrating both a garden as well as a minuscule marketplace are great, do you feel the surrounding inhabitants will divide their valuable attention towards maintaining such a large park? It seems as though the park is trying to accomplish more than just accommodating visitors in a relaxing manner, but represent a social solution for a troubled community, which is immensely lovely, but the execution may need more work. How would you address this? Do you feel your project is fine the way it is? Again, awesome job with the video and overall presentation. Keep it up!

Sustainable development doesn't just refer to the green design, but also in the infrastructure of the park. The amphitheater itself is useful, simple and unobtrusive.

These are fantastic hand renderings.

An ever-growing trend in public space use is sponsorship- which can be an extremely divisive issue. Your park however presents an opportunity for this, in a way I think most anyone could support. Springs Preserve, which seems to be owned by the not-for-profit water utility, would perhaps be a fantastic partner to not only help design but also supply and maintain the gardens and plant life you're looking for. Sometimes, untraditional partners can turn good projects into great projects.

Responsible and sustainable planning were important outlines given for this project. Using local varieties in your planning showcases just that extremely well.

You've addressed something I haven't seen in many other projects- the function of a park as neighborhood pride. As part of their projects, everyone has discussed the direct ways people benefit from parks like using playgrounds or the trees for shade. Others have addressed the economic benefits on neighborhoods. You're the first to mention the fact that parks add an important facet to a person's pride and love for their environment. As someone who spent a lot of time overseeing public, community parks I appreciate you recognizing this important trait of public space.

Nice on using native trees and plants as that helps the environment and makes your park more suited for the environment and friendly on water and all of those costs.

Thank you!

I love you designs and thought process. Incorporating a tiny market is a good idea to bring the community closer, and encourage people to gather within the park. I also found your research very well-thought out, and carefully planned. Awesome job!