We do not have a new reading for this week. Instead, we should be developing our written statements through the ideas expressed in the readings over the course of the semester.
Please provide short (1-3 sentences) responses to each of the following questions:
What is/are the processes at work within your park?
How do this/these process(es) contribute to the organization of your park?
Which elements of your park are open?
Which are closed?
How is your park legible? Give a specific example.
How is your park resilient? Give a specific example.
If you do not understand these questions, it means you need to review the readings from the past few weeks.
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The processes at work in my park are promoting social interactions through the connection of passive and active recreational areas that are determined by a habitat sensitivity scale. Also my park intends on creating public awareness and energy through hot air balloons, adaptively reusing buildings, connecting existing habitats, and respecting the history of Floyd Bennett Field.
ReplyDeleteThe large open runways and existing hangars became my starting point for organizing my park. The existing sports fields were already in place on Flatbush Avenue and have an abundance of additional space adjacent to them for more recreational fields. Grouping the sports fields together created the opportunity for an area to have high pedestrian traffic, therefore more social interaction and the need for a gathering space. Further down the runway becomes more of a mix of passive and active recreations with locations for skateboarders and pedestrians to interact and not be divided(As is the case with the traditional “fenced” in skatepark). Some areas will be more open (lawn areas for concerts, or large events), and others more closed (memorial garden, or vehicular circulation). Imprints left in the runways such as the large numbers or “X”s will be saved and used as educational points throughout the park, defining pedestrian circulation by foot or bike, with resting areas, making a connection through high trafficked areas, and the rest of the park. These areas will essentially be closed, with adjacent areas being left open for grassland management or succession. Vehicular circulation will be defined by program locations, building location, and areas of existing runway.
My park is legible in the fact that it is presenting something new and out of the ordinary. Recreational activities intensify around each hot air balloon location, and the potential for social interactions are made possible. How often do you see hot air balloons? An image of this park would be embedded in my brain forever, if I ever visited it.
Resilience is found through the adaptive reuse of the buildings, runways, and in the organization of programs around habitat sensitivity. Existing habitats are not disturbed, only connected, and are able to gain back what was lost prior to the airport construction.
After analyzing the initial buffer delineations and the existing bird populations, I found that Floyd Bennett’s conditions were creating breaks or barriers in the bird’s habitats. The mile-long runways separate the existing vegetation and habitats in small, limiting patches. To reestablish this connection and to promote the continued growth and success of the many bird species, I designed spaces that would bridge the gaps between the broken habitats. The spaces would also allow for pedestrian circulation and a sensitive interaction with the environment.
ReplyDeleteThe first space was designed with the intention of reconnecting the patches of forest habitats across the massive runways. I saw this area as a type of plaza or pedestrian experience that uses native trees and plants to promote biodiversity and succession amongst the existing habitats. Mass plantings of native grasses, wildflowers and shrubs create intimate spaces along the walk while a large grid planting of red maples designates the central plaza. Secondly, I noticed that the wetland and shore bird habitats were stretched along the coasts of Floyd Bennett Field. A system of wetland canals creates acres of new wetland habitat while commemorating the historic shape of the runways. The new habitat promotes the already threatened species while allowing human access to the water. A long central promenade extends from Flatbush across the island. The area provides amphitheater seating and plazas that could accommodate for such programs as farmer’s markets and outdoor concerts.
Floyd Bennett Field was originally a chain of several smalls islands that were connected to the mainland will landfill. During the 1950’s the landfill cap burst in Dead Horse Bay, allowing trash to be continually washed away with the waves. Dredging these canals into the existing landfill would allow for the possible restoration and recapping of the failed landfill. Dredged material could be relocated on site near the northeast corner of the island. Due to current regulations limiting the use of capped landfills this site could become the centralized location of several recreational fields. This location is not only conveniently located adjacent to the existing sports complex but also limits the extent of hard active recreation into the sensitive habitat areas.
The excess dredging would be relocated along the two central runways that extend from the promenade. The large earthworks would provide possible seating for the many flexible fields that extend along the runway. The earthworks and open fields have the ability to evolve with the use of the park. The fields can accommodate large sporting events when necessary or simply serve as more connective habitat.