Tree Focused Master Plan

This master plan version focuses on tree plantings. This means that the design was primarily driven by where large trees can go. Trees cannot go everywhere in the park due to shallow soils. I know this from previous analysis. It was shown in a diagram posted on this blog under site analysis.

One of my favorite ideas with this master plan came from trying to figure out how to get some plantings into the plazas adjacent to the cross streets. Soil would certainly be shallow in these areas. The obvious answer is in using raised planters. These may also provide seating. I have also been thinking of ways to link the four sections so that they may “feel” like a linear park despite fragmentation by cross streets. One of these linking elements could be in the plantings at the entrances to each section.

What if each of these plantings was somehow planted in a manner that abstractly related to the interstate lanes below? Each row of trees could represent a lane. These spaces could serve as shaded sitting areas as shown here.

Or they could serve as a vertical visual element. The sketch here shows rows of cedar trees under planted with broomsedge, a common site in Middle Tennessee. This idea would work in section III which is programmed for passive recreation.

The same form could be given to the splash pad in section 1.

 Master Plan

I scanned each section so they might be a little more legible on screen.

Section I

As with the previous plan, the areas near the cross streets are treated as plazas, as they are the primary pedestrian entrances to the park. As I was looking back at my tree planting diagram, I was thinking hard about the site vertically. The skate park will be elevated at least ten feet from the deck, as this is a good depth for skating pools and bowls. Since the skate park is elevated, there is opportunity to provide shade with trees on the skate park. Thinking about the skate park in section led me to think about the idea of a pedestrian bridge over the I-40 on ramp at the plan Southeast corner of the park. The corners of the park are planted with trees as possible. These tree plantings will not be thick enough to block vision into and out of the park. They are canopy trees, which could also help users recognize the presence of the park.

Section II

The underlying structure of Section II provides the opportunity to have an allee’ on both sides of the Broadway entrance. Again, the amphitheater stays largely in the same spot as before. I believe this is an obvious place for an amphitheatre given its proximity to Broadway and that it is the steepest part of the entire park. The lateral allee’s converge on the plan East side of this section in a sculpture garden. The East plaza is planted with shade trees at the corners and is largely open to the street. Both plazas feature raised planters located over the interstate lanes below, as described above.

Section III

Section III was treated in a similar fashion as it was in the last master plan. East and West ends are planted as meadows with a cedar glade in the center. There are two pavilion/gathering spaces and a central council ring. The North and South flanks are planted as a meadow edge. The entrances to each end are planted with a grid of cedar trees. There is no need for a raised bed this time due to the shallow soil depth tolerated by these trees. They will have a nice parallax effect and are appropriate for a section that is programmed for passive recreation and meditation.

Section IV

Section IV is programmed for active recreation, a dog park, and community gardens. This plan uses pedestrian promenades to level the open spaces. Community gardens are located at the corners of the park. They are located over the interstate lanes and will be raised to achieve proper soil depth.

All in all, I think the tree helped to reach some good design ideas.