Redefining: Washington Square Park Vision Study_Part 1

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RedeďŹ ning Washington Square Park Vision Study

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Kansas City Design Center Urban Studio 2013-2014 University of Kansas Kansas State University

Washington Square Park Vision Study

This studio publication, generated during the 2013-2014 academic year at the Kansas City Design Center (KCDC), was written and designed by Mary Rogers and Calleigh Freese, with the support of Jacob Cristilles and Tiffany Cartwright, in collaboration with Vladimir Krstic, studio director and instructor.

This publication cannot be sold, duplicated, or published electronically or otherwise, without the express written consent of the KCDC. The purpose of this publication is academic in nature and is intended to showcase the research, scholarship, and design work of the students of the KCDC.

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Foreword

Introduction

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Washington Square Park KCDC Green & Civic Spaces

Research & Analysis 18 Contextual & Analytical Studies History Morphological Transformations Connectivity & Circulation Physical Space Analysis Programmatic Analysis

Design Investigations 130 Design Framework Guiding Principles

Design Proposals 150 Integrate Pathway System Extend Spatial Boundaries Activate Edges Anchor the Identity

Contents Appendix 212 Additional Drawings References Acknowledgements

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This publication documents and presents the KCDC’s sustained effort to increase its service learning capacity and demonstrate its commitment to the Kansas City community in seeing through the visioning and urban design processes we initiate together towards the pursuit of their eventual implementation. In 2011/12 the KCDC urban design studio conducted a study for a Comprehensive Vision Plan for Green and Civic Space in Downtown KCMO. In addition to developing a comprehensive vision plan KCDC was asked by its two main stakeholders, KCMO Parks and Recreation Department, and Downtown Council Greenspace Committee, to develop an implementation plan and define implementation priorities. Consequently, the Washington Square Park was selected and recommended as the most important element of the whole vision plan whose redesign embodied catalytic potential to redefine urban character of the entire downtown area.

The urban design studio work and the process documented herein traces our efforts to build on our previous work, expand and elaborate our understanding of the contextual circumstances that bear on the illumination of design possibilities, and capture the volatility of the changing

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Forward

Foreword city as it casts its shadow over the site as a premonition of what is yet to be concluded and envisioned towards seeing the chance of a better place. We have done all this as our contribution to the second phase of the project for Washington Square Parke and the construction of the base upon which our project professional team associates, Coen + Partners, could build their own work. Though this publication contains work solely produced by the KCDC urban design studio much of it, and particularly design investigations have been influenced by our collaboration and dialogue with Coen + Partners, to whom we owe debt of gratitude for generous collegiality and mentorship. Moreover this has allowed us to create an operational precedent where profession, academia and community become aligned in maximizing their joint capacities towards collaborative effort on envisioning and implementing positive urban change.

This publication has been made possible by the dedicated work of Mary Rogers, and her former classmates Calleigh Freese and Jacob Christilles. They have diligently labored through the layout, design and the content of the document and both their studio colleagues and myself owe them much deserved thankfulness.

Thank you, Vladimir Krstic

Forward

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Introduction

Washington Square Park 10 KCDC Green & Civic Spaces Study 14

Introduction

Introduction

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10 Introduction — section heading

Introduction Washington Square Park is an approximately five acre plot of land situated on the southern topographical edge of the Kansas City downtown area, surrounded by unique civic attractions and shaped by historic transformations of the urban fabric. The relation of Washington Square Park to the overall urban order of the city makes this project critical in redefining the realm of public space in Kansas City. A yearlong study of the park ranging from site analysis to design proposals investigated how the park can be redefined to better its surroundings and the city. The intent of this project, in addition to building on existing planning initiatives, is to capitalize on the park’s potential as a defining urban element in the overall order of the city and a catalytic civic space that is currently missing.

The following publication is organized into three main sections. The first section, Research & Analysis, presents a detailed overview of the analytical site and context studies conducted throughout the year. The second section, Design Investigations, documents the development of preliminary design strategies and intentions centered on the focus areas, which were determined by the findings in the site analysis studies. The last section, Design Proposals, provides a detailed look at the range of design possibilities generated in response to the established preliminary design intentions.

Washington Square Park — Introduction

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Washington Square Park The process of understanding the critical aspects of Washington Square Park began with the study of four important city planning documents, moving on to in-depth site studies, and ending with design investigations that took all studies into consideration.

The three important city vision plans studied as the starting point of the analysis define the framework for the future design of Kansas City. These plans are: the FOCUS Plan of 1992, the Sasaki Plan of 2005, and the Greater Downtown Area Plan of 2010. The most important of these three plans is the Greater Downtown Area Plan which supersedes the other plans and embodies the goals and objectives presented within each document. The GDAP proposes five key objectives to implement the design of a better Kansas City: create a walkable downtown, double the population downtown, increase employment downtown, retain and promote safe and authentic neighborhoods, and promote sustainability.

Based on the GDAP and the Focus Plan, the 2011-2012 KCDC Green and Civic Spaces Proposal became the basis of the comprehensive study.

After the study of these pertinent planning documents, all efforts were divided into three primary study groups which encompassed the following: inventory studies that provide basic information and the given conditions of the site, analytical studies that focused more on organizing given information to creating new knowledge about the site, and speculative studies based on the creation of different methods of ‘seeing’ in order to reveal critical attributes of the site that were invisible to traditional methods of analytical inquiry. From these primary study groups, all mapping studies were rearranged into Strengths, Weaknesses, and Potential of the park. Connectivity and Promoting the Park as a Unique Public Space were two major themes that became apparent throughout all mapping studies. The findings from these studies provide the foundation and set the agenda for the re-design and re-consideration of Washington Square Park to benefit Kansas City.

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Washington Square Park — Introduction

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THREE PHASE AXONOMETRIC

MASTER PLAN

14 Introduction — KCDC Green & Civic Spaces

KCDC Green & Civic Spaces The 2011-2012 KCDC Comprehensive Vision Study for Green and Civic Spaces aimed to create a comprehensive system in which green and civic spaces in downtown Kansas City, Missouri would be organized into an integrated whole capable of instilling order to the larger urban context. The proposed system is comprised of three hierarchical parts: Anchor Parks, Corridors and Infill Parks. The Kessler Plan of 1893 defined Kansas City and provides a historical basis for the system of Anchor Parks, Corridors, and Infill Parks that will reconnect the city through a cohesive system of green and civic spaces.

URBAN CONCEPT

Rivermarket

ADJACENT CONNECTIONS

MAIN

ND BOU

GRA LEVARD

STREET

The Loop

CONNECT TO DOWNTOWN

o

18th & Vine V ine

CONNECT TO EXISTING PUBLIC SPACES

West Side

Crown Center

KCDC Green & Civic Spaces — Introduction

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PROPOSED ANCHOR PARKS

PROPOSED CORRIDORS

PROPOSED INFILL PARKS

Anchor Parks are the most critical of the three elements because they have the potential to connect the city to its place through its history, topography and natural features while at the same time embodying the identity of the city. Washington Square Park was chosen as the most influential of the Anchor Parks because, together with the proposed Rail Park, it will “define the southern edge of downtown, resolve a complex situation of fragmented urban land, encourage growth and investment in the area, and add to the character of the city”[KCDC Green + Civic Spaces: Reconnecting, Part 2]. The 2011-2012 KCDC Comprehensive Vision Study for Green and Civic Spaces assessed that Washington Square Park should serve the city as one of these Anchor Parks due to its location, character, and underutilization.

The 2011-2012 KCDC Studio proposed a plan for the development of Washington Square Park and the Rail Park that would be implemented in three phases: the re-design of Washington Square Park, the extension of the park to the north with capped parking from the existing Blue Cross Blue Shield parking lot, and the addition of the Rail Park and other infill development. The re-design of Washington Square Park establishes the goals of creating an order to the park and relationship to the street that is currently lacking and capitalizing on its location and the views it provides towards downtown. Extending the park to the north and using the empty parking spaces of the Blue Cross Blue Shield parking lot starts to reconnect the area with the downtown and creates direct pedestrian only routes. The last phase of the Rail Park and infill development defines the southern edge of downtown and creates a cohesive urban fabric. The completed park achieves the goals of the park becoming a transportation hub with multi-purpose spaces and an iconic destination space while providing a unique urban amenity.

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KCDC Green & Civic Spaces — Introduction

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18 Research & Analysis

Contextual & Analytical Studies History Morphological Transformations Connectivity & Circulation Physical Space Analysis Programmatic Analysis

Research & Analysis

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Research & Analysis

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20 Research & Analysis — section heading

Research & Analysis As the first of the three main sections of this publication, this compilation of research and analysis is organized into five different study areas. These are: History, Morphological Transformations, Connectivity & Circulation, Physical Space Analysis, and Programmatic Analysis. The History section gives a brief overview of how Washington Square Park came to be part of Kansas City. The Morphological Transformations section takes a more detailed look at the formation of the park through changes in the urban fabric of Kansas City over time. The Connectivity & Circulation section takes a look at the transportation systems in Kansas City and how Washington Square Park is connected to the overall region, greater downtown area, and its adjacent surroundings. The Physical Space Analysis investigates how the park can be described beyond its formal site boundaries set in plan. The last section, Programmatic Analysis seeks to discover what types of activities occur around the park so as to determine program possibilities for the future of Washington Square Park.

Context — Research & Analysis

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PLANNED & ONGOING PROJECTS The planned and ongoing projects within our medium site extents are important to consider as many of them relate to either the site itself or the adjacent areas around the site. The coming of the streetcar and the plan for Making Grand Grand will help connect the site and to the downtown area through the development of pedestrian friendly corridors. The amount of planned project occurring around the park shows that the area is becoming the focus of development and activity, with Washington Square Park right in the center of it all.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ST MA 20 BA TR UN BL SK BE KC

1 Streetcar 2. Making Grand Grand 3. 20th Streetscape 4. Baltimore/Wyandotte Streetscape 5. Triangle Park 6. Union Station Science Center 7. Blue Cross Blue Shield Parking 8. Skywalk Memorial Garden 9. Beacon Hill Housing 10.KC Nexus

Context — Research & Analysis 23

24 Research & Analysis — section heading

History The story of Washington Square Park begins across the city in the rail yards of the West Bottoms, the economic center of Kansas City and the original arrival point for travelers. The flat terrain of the area was ideal for the rail lines, and the associated stockyards location between the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers and Kansas City formed an essential link in the convergence of East and West, North and South. However, the low, flat terrain was subject to floods, forcing the Union Station to be relocated to higher ground in 1921. The new location was to be an important “gateway” into the city. As Union Station became the new gateway to Kansas City, a 16’ 7” bronze statue of George Washington astride his horse signifying his days at Valley Forge was placed in what has become his namesake park, Washington Square Park.

In 1921, the Patriots and Pioneers Memorial Foundation raised money for an inspirational statue of George Washington to be given to Kansas City. Several locations for the statue had been recommended, but the Municipal Arts Commission recommended the work be placed to serve as inspiration for as many people as possible about their daily routine. Land was selected that had been acquired by the Kansas City Parks Board in 1921, as part of the condemnation of property for what became Pershing Avenue. The Statue was dedicated on November 11, 1925.

At the time of dedication, the land where the statue had been placed had no formal name. It was dubbed ‘Washington Square’ by the city press, a name the Daughters of the American Revolution would suggest at the Park Board meeting on December 10, 1925. Interestingly, there was already a Washington Square Park in the park system, at Missouri Street and Holmes Road. In January 1926 the names were changed. The park in South Kansas City became ‘Columbus Park’, and the triangular green patch near Union Station came to be known as Washington Square Park.

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The area surrounding Washington Square Park prior to its existence was known as Signboard Hill because of unattractive buildings and advertising. With the addition of Union Station, the value of this area increased along with the desire to develop this land. Visions of this development were influenced by the idea that it would be the first impression travelers received upon arriving to Kansas City. This notion resulted in the building of Liberty Memorial, Penn Valley Park, and Washington Square Park. However, the remaining area of Signboard Hill gained a reputation for being Kansas City’s biggest eyesore. It wasn’t until 1967 that the founder of Hallmark developed the area into Crown Center.

1916

1922

1926

1927

1928

1930

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1900

1921

1923

1927

1989

History — Research & Analysis

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Based on the history of this area, it can be seen that Union Station and the rail infrastructure has had and immense impact on the formation and transformation of Washington Square Park. The park was originally conceived as a resting point for travelers and visitors upon their arrival at Union Station. Because of the decline in rail traffic over the years, the park has suffered as a result. The inseparability of the park from Kansas City’s network of parks and boulevards is also apparent in the historical study. Washington Square Park is an integral part of Kansas City’s Parks and Boulevards System and has lost its connection to the system due to the roads and highways, built to accommodate the increasing numbers of automobiles, which fractured the city. These two changes in the function and connection of the park have led to its current state of neglect and abandonment. However its history can significantly shape the future of Washington Square Park.

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1950

1910 Proposal for Civic Center

1977

1925 Original Plot Layout

1985

1938 Plan: Board of Park Commissioners, W.H. Dunn

1975 Proposal

History — Research & Analysis 29

WSP

Morphological Transformations Over time, the role of Washington Square Park within the city and its connection to the city has changed substantially. To understand how these changes occurred, it is imperative to understand how the park’s inception and subsequent changes are rooted in the specifics of city and site geography. As an urban space and a part of an original urban system, the relationship of the park to the system illustrates the duality of its condition; how it is shaped and how it shapes the urban form. An analysis of key morphological transformations was conducted to trace how and when changes occurred and to uncover the contextual morphing of the site. The key systems outlined in the analysis include the urban morphology of built forms, Turkey Creek and its watershed, rail lines and the Kessler Park System.

Comprehensive maps were compiled for each of the key systems studied from 1896 through today to reflect the transformation of Kansas City, and more specifically Washington Square Park. The figure ground shows not only the transformation of the overall built environment, but also how the built environment has changed the nature of Washington Square Park and separated it from the urban context. The hydrology map reflects the transformation of Turkey Creek, changing from a natural to urban environment to adapt to the rail lines. The rail lines show the change in railroads and its influence on the site. The morphology of the Kessler System shows the relationship between Washington Square Park and other parks as well as its role in the Kessler System.

Since its conception, Washington Square Park has endured many transformational moments in the evolution of Kansas City. These moments and their traces make the park what it is today. The change in Turkey Creek from a waterway to dry land made it possible for the development of the rail lines. The development of the rails, in turn, shaped the northern edge of the park. Together with the rail lines, the implementation of major roads and highways that mark the change in the built environment shaped the park into its current triangular form that has become an island within the urban fabric of the city.

Previous page: Overlay of Figure Ground Maps: 1896, 1909, 1925, 1969, 1997, 2013

Morphological Transformations — Research & Analysis

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1896 Figure Ground Transformation

Hydrology Transformation

Rail Transformation

Park System Transformation

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1909

1925

1969

1997

2013

Morphological Transformations — Research & Analysis 33

OVERLAY OF HYDROLOGY TRANSFORMATION 1896-2013

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OVERLAY OF PARK SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION 1896-2013

Morphological Transformations — Research & Analysis 35

minutes traveled to Kansas City

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minutes traveled from Kansas City

Connectivity & Circulation Due to the changes in the urban morphology of Kansas City studied in the previous section, specifically the network of roads and highways as well as the migration of the city population to the suburbs, downtown Kansas City has become a commuter destination rather than a permanently inhabited area. Washington Square Park sits at the southern edge of downtown and is therefore subject to the same issues of mobility and connectivity that define its urban predicament and hold the key for positive change. An analysis of how the site is connected to the city at different scales explored how Washington Square Park is integrated into the contextual whole of the city.

Maps of the network of roads and highways were compiled at different scales, from a regional scale to a local scale, to study Washington Square Park’s connection to the downtown and the greater region. Studies of the roads and the bus system on a macro scale show how the park is actually very well connected to the greater metro area. On a mid-scale encompassing the greater downtown area, studies of the roads and transportation systems of buses, the streetcar, and bike routes show the current and future connections of the park to downtown. The bus stops and ridership of the buses, the end of the streetcar line, and public bike share stations show how Washington Square Park is connected on a local level. The new streetcar line will terminate at the park, connecting it to downtown and all the way to Kansas City’s River Market. The study of these transportation systems show how each is connects Washington Square Park to the city at each different scale.

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Studies of the bike routes along with studies of pedestrian circulation on site show how Washington Square Park is connected on a micro level to its immediate surroundings. The park is connected via bicycle by a designated bike route along the southern border of the site along with two bike share stations in the vicinity. On a pedestrian scale, traffic studies of Main Street and Grand Boulevard, two of Kansas City’s busiest streets, show that the amount of vehicular traffic is immensely larger than the amount of pedestrian traffic, making both streets unfriendly to pedestrians and cyclists. The lack of pedestrian-friendly streets around the site is one of the biggest challenges of the project. Another big issue with the current use of Washington Square Park is the existing skywalk system, called The Link. It allows people to walk from Union Station all the way to the Sheraton Hotel without ever stepping foot outside or into the park. This means that pedestrians get minimal exposure to the park. These studies show that making the area more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly will better connect Washington Square Park with its adjacent surroundings.

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Washington Square Park has potential to capitalize on existing public transportation routes and become even better connected to the city than it already is.

The network of streets and highways leads commuters to the park from the greater region. The bus system connects the park to downtown and the greater Metro area while the incoming streetcar will enhance the connection to the downtown. The current bike paths just connect the park to other areas within downtown but the systems needs improvement to better circulation on site. Pedestrian access and circulation on site is almost non-existent compared to the vehicular traffic that surrounds the site, making it difficult for people to get from the park to the other attractions and vice versa. Washington Square Park is well connected via public transportation and by vehicles, but the issue of pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streets needs to be addressed to make the site truly connected and accessible to everyone.

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EXCELSIOR

NWORTH

DNER

LANSING

LIBERTY

GLADSTONE PARKVILLE RIVERSIDE

NORTH KANSAS CITY

SUGAR CREEK KANSAS CITY INDEPENDENCE

BONNER SPRINGS

SHAWNEE

BLUE SPRINGS RAYTOWN

OVERLAND PARK

LENEXA

LEE’S SUMMIT

OLATHE

GRANDVIEW

REGIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM BELTON RAYMORE

PLEASANT HILL

SPRINGS

GRAIN VALLEY

PRIMARY ROADS These maps show the current connection potential of the site via major roads in the greater downtown area and the highways throughout the metro area. Each map successively shows the regional and downtown connections that Washington Square Park has the potential to reach. The major roads and highways in Kansas City lead straight to the park, making it accessible from anywhere in the Metro.

Connectivity & Circulation — Research & Analysis

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Street Grid

North-South Streets

TOPOGRAPHIC DISCONNECTIONS Studies of the street patterns within the Greater Downtown Area pulled apart the street gird in an attempt to find how the site is connected via local streets. Through these studies we discovered the major routes that connect the park to downtown and the crossroads to the north, and hospital hill to the east.

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East-West Streets

Continuous Streets

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STREET CAR ROUTE

BIKE ROUTES

This diagram shows the proposed streetcar route that will run adjacent to Washington Square Park with the route terminating near the park.

This project will be influential in connecting the park to downtown by creating a transportation link to other landmarks within the city.

This map shows existing bike trails and bike share stations. There are two bike share stations in close proximity to Washington Square Park, adding another layer to the transportation network and creating connections to the downtown area. With the combination of bike routes, acceptable biking streets, and the Making Grand Grand project, the site is accessible to cyclists throughout the greater downtown area.

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BUS ROUTES

ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Looking at the bus routes that service Kansas City shows the great potential of the site to connect to the downtown, especially with the number of routes that service the site. The thickness of the line is directly correlated to the number of routes along each street.

This map shows all forms of major transit routes that connect Washington Square Park to the Greater Downtown Area. The current connections are immense, while the proposed streetcar and Making Grand Grand projects will add to the easy accessibility of the site. The combined forms of transit make Washington Square Park easily accessible from anywhere in the Greater Downtown Area and even beyond, with most roads leading directly to the park.

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4 AM

1 AM

Pershing Rd. & Main St.

4 AM

1 AM

Pershing Rd. & Grand Blvd.

4 AM

1 AM

Pershing Rd. & Main St.

4 AM

1 AM

Pershing Rd. & Grand Blvd.

BUS STOPS & FREQUENCY This series of diagrams show the amount of buses that service the park at a frequency of 15 minutes from 4 am to 1 am on weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The number of buses that service the site along with how often them come show the park’s great potential to connect to the greater downtown area.

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Weekday

Saturday

Sunday

Connectivity & Circulation — Research & Analysis

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A = 3.4

A = 4.9

A = 4.7

B=4

B = 5.6

B = 5.4

C = 7.1

C = 10.1

C = 9.9

D = 6.7

D = 5.8

D=4

E = 12.5

E = 10.9

E = 7.5

F = 0.2

F = 0.1

G = 8.3

G = 5.7

H = 1.4

H=1

F = 0.2

A

H

G = 9.6

G

H = 1.6 B

C

D

F

E

6 AM

7 AM

8 AM

A = 7.1

A = 5.5

A = 7.4

B = 1.7

B = 1.4

B = 1.8

C = 13.3

C = 10.4

C = 13.9

D = 11.6

D = 10.5

D = 10.9

E = 16.8

E = 15.2

E = 15.8

F = 0.04

F = 0.03

F = 0.03

G = 9.5

G = 8.6

G = 8.9

H = 4.6

H = 4.1

H = 4.4

3 PM

4 PM

5 PM

BUS RIDERSHIP Average daily ridership per each stop in the vicinity of Washington Square Park affects the site differently per hour throughout the day. Ridership is at its peak in the morning from 6am to 9am and in the afternoon from 3pm to 6pm. These studies show that even with the numerous buses that service the site, the ridership of these buses can be improved throughout the day, especially after business hours.

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A Total = 62.2 B Total = 33.8 C Total = 102.3 D Total = 127.4 E Total = 158.5 F Total = 1 G Total = 69.9 H Total = 21

BUS RIDERSHIP Further exploration of the bus system led to this diagram showing the average amount of people that ride the buses per stop each hour from 4 am to 1 am on any given day. While several buses service the site throughout the day, the ridership lacks, proving there is room for improvement. The scale of 1 person is multiplied by 15.

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PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION A study of the negative spaces around the park shows how the park connects to the surrounding area. The combination of spaces creates an area that is well suited for pedestrians.

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Connectivity & Circulation — Research & Analysis

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smaller traffic studies

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6513

8639

6925

TRAFFIC VOLUME This graphic illustration of vehicular traffic counts, taken by the Sly James administration in a study of the Crossroads Arts District, shows the automobile traffic surrounding Washington Square Park during a typical weekday. The study was taken over a period of three years. The comparison between the vehicular and pedestrian traffic shows that there is a major disparity between the number of cars and the number of pedestrians moving by the site, illustrating a lack of pedestrian connections to the site.

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aa aa

6 AM

High Traffic Parcels

7 AM

Low Traffic Parks

High Traffic Parcels

8 AM

Low Traffic Parks

High Traffic Parcels

9 AM

Low Traffic Parks

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

600Parcels Pedestrian

700Parcels Pedestrian

800Parcels Pedestrian

900Parcels Pedestrian

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

10 AM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

11 AM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

12 PM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

1 PM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

1000Parcels Pedestrian

1100Parcels Pedestrian

1200Parcels Pedestrian

1300Parcels Pedestrian

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

2 PM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

3 PM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

4 PM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

5 PM

High Traffic Parcels Low Traffic Parks

1400Parcels Pedestrian

1500Parcels Pedestrian

1600Parcels Pedestrian

1700Parcels Pedestrian

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

Scale: 1” =Scale: 100’ 1” = 100’

PEDESTRIAN COUNTS This series of maps is an hourly breakdown of pedestrian counts taken by the Sly James administration in a study of the Crossroads Arts District.

This shows how pedestrians use the area within our medium site extents during the work day. Breaking it up into hourly usage shows when the roads adjacent to the park are used most and what hours of the day potential users can be attracted.

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These four images are screenshots from a video that was used to record circulation patterns on the site.

411

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358 Washington Square Park Pedestrian Traffic Pedestrian Traffic Through “Link”

PEDESTRIAN COUNTS Studies of how pedestrians use the site further show the issue of the Link. More pedestrians use the Link than the park, causing a problem of underutilization. One reason for this is due to the barriers that are present due to the heavy vehicular traffic in the area. These studies show that the area wants to become more pedestrian friendly.

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Physical Space Analysis The initial study of Washington Square Park has revealed that, given the nature of the morphology of the existing urban context, the plan projection of the park site provides very limited analog of the actual three-dimensional reality that defines it. The incompleteness of the grid and the interference of topography create spatial and experiential conditions that produce very complex site conditions that needed to be explored on their own terms.

The analysis of the physical space of the park can be broken down into two categories: static and dynamic. Beginning with the studies of the static space of Washington Square Park, the physical space analysis looked at the viewsheds around the site, the built fabric of the area, and the street grid. By analyzing what one could see from inside the park and what physical boundaries currently exist, gaps were found in the built fabric that show the potential of the park to extend beyond its formal site boundaries. Another aspect of the static space of the park studied was its unique relationship to the topography of Kansas City. Washington Square Park sits on the far end of the ‘bowl’ that defines the south side of the downtown area. The northern edge of the site drops approximately thirty feet in elevation down to a parking lot and the rail lines, creating this chasm which inherently gives the park a great view of downtown. This view of downtown along with other views of the park and from within the park were studied to measure the virtual extension of the park space into the outlaying urban context. While the park is relatively invisible to the view from without, the views looking from within the park provide one of the most spectacular vistas of the downtown skyline.

Physical Space — Research & Analysis

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Videos and diagrams of the vehicular approach to Washington Square Park were created in order to study the dynamic space of the site. On approach from the north along Main Street and Grand Boulevard, the east and west boundaries of the site, the park is barely noticeable due to the large amount of built fabric that overwhelms the site. The built fabric around the site was studied in attempt to see how porous the area around the site is. This revealed that most of the site is enclosed by the surrounding buildings, but there are two openings toward the north and southeast. These openings direct attention towards the spectacular view of downtown and the opportunity to visually connect with Liberty Memorial. The approach and view studies of from outside the park show the relatively insignificant presence of the park and a need to establish a greater presence within the area.

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Different scenarios of how the park can be thought of beyond its footprint in plan were found by studying the physical space of the park. The gaps found in the urban fabric divulged the spatial connections to Union Station, Liberty Memorial, and Crown Center, the main attractions of the neighborhood. These extended space studies show that not only does Washington Square Park have the potential to extend within the neighborhood, but it is also the center of all of these spaces combined. This revealed that the park consists of a number of potential spaces that intersect and overlap, creating potential for a much more complex and significant spatial whole. This realization gives new understanding to the park and creates a notion that Washington Square Park has the potential to become a unique civic space unprecedented within the city.

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Rail Lines Thru Streets Streets that Stop North of the Rail Washington Square Park

TOPOGRAPHY

CONNECTIVITY

Studying the topography showed that there is a significant topographical disconnection on the north edge of the park, partially due to the rail lines, that separates the site from downtown. The topographical disconnect allows for several opportunities to build on the park’s unique character.

Studies of the street patterns within our medium site extents show how the park is connected to other important areas via the roads that run North-South. It can be seen that several of the roads stop just north of the rail lines leaving only a few roads that run continuously from the north past the park. The continuous streets funnel people right past Washington Square Park, making them paramount in attracting and retaining people, especially those from the Crossroads.

Physical Space — Research & Analysis

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Lamps Parking Meters

MAIN ST

Trees

2

3

GRAND BLVD

1

Picnic Tables Benches memorials and the Link Washington Square Park

PERSHING AVE

Sidewalks

EXISTING CONDITIONS Inventory of the park including sidewalks, trees, lamp posts, statues, benches, picnic tables, and parking. We found that the park currently offers few amenities and has poorly planned sidewalks. In addition, the tree placement is sporadic and gives no apparent order to the park other than along the east and south sides of the park.

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1

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SITE SECTIONS Detailed street sections show the park’s relationship to the street and surrounding buildings. It also shows the possibilities for connecting the park to the adjacent areas. Restrictions placed on surrounding building heights preserve the views available only from the park. These views will give the park a visual connection to adjacent parts of the area.

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Original Photos

View Direction 1

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Building Setback from Curb-Line

Density Lines

Normalized Lines

Enhanced Lines

Density Gradient

FACADE ENCLOSURE This facade study illustrates the density of the spaces surrounding the park. The east, west, and south sides are clearly defined by the existing tall buildings, but there is a porosity in the built fabric to the southwest of the site which lends itself toward a stronger connection with Liberty Memorial. The density of built fabric along these three sides, with the open expanse on the north side, further enhances the connection to the northern downtown area.

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These sections were taken on the North-South axis to provide another perspective of Washington Square Park’s relationship to the adjacent surroundings. These sections show that most of the park is surrounded by tall buildings on the east and west. The buildings block the east and west views, but they also frame a strong view to the north, toward downtown.

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MAIN STREET DRIVING SOUTH Vehicular approach studies were conducted to understand how the park is perceived while in a vehicle.

These photos taken from a video as one drives along Main Street show that the park is barely noticeable from a vehicular perspective due to the Link. The park is just noticeable off the Main Street bridge, but is blocked from view by the Link the closer one gets to the park. Creating a stronger presence and removing the Link will help connect the park to its surroundings and make it safer.

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VEHICULAR APPROACH Vehicular approach studies were conducted to understand how the park is perceived while in a vehicle.

Through these approaches, it is seen that the park is barely noticeable from a vehicular perspective and is also disconnected from the adjacent areas. Giving the park a stronger presence from the street is paramount in attracting those commuting to businesses around the park or those passing through.

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GRAND BOULEVARD DRIVING SOUTH Vehicular approach studies were conducted to understand how the park is perceived while in a vehicle.

These photos taken from a video as one drives along Grand Boulevard show that the park is disconnected via the road width. Addressing the width of the road and how it currently deters pedestrians from crossing will help create a vibrant urban space that is pedestrian friendly.

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VIEWS INTO THE PARK These studies identify how the park is perceived from surrounding viewpoints. The tall buildings around the park are visually more apparent than the park itself creating a disconnection with the surrounding areas. This disconnect between the street and the park edges, compounded with the draw of the eye toward the taller buildings, diminishes the park’s presence overall. The viewpoints of the park from the north and southwest show how it is relatively invisible to pedestrians and can establish a greater presence within the area.

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VIEWS OUT OF THE PARK Studies of the views from the park looking out to the city helped us identify the views worth preserving. The views we discovered are unique to Washington Square Park, making them a critical aspect in the redesign of the park.

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VIEWSHED STUDY Through several viewshed studies, we determined that the viewsheds to the north create a strong visual connection to the downtown area. A spectacular stationary view that encompasses the downtown area is the central focal point, seen when one stands in the center of the park.

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VIEWSHED STUDY The second primary viewshed offers a dynamic oblique view as one stands toward the tip of the park and moves along the balustrade. The different views that emerge as one moves through the park offer varied scenes of the city and connect users with its fabric.

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30ft from balustrade 1

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Section 3

Section 1

Section 2

Section 4

Section 5

OPTIMAL VIEWING ZONE After establishing the viewing extents to the north, we studied sections of the park to determine the optimal viewing zones within the park, keeping in mind the balustrade on the north side of the park and the parking lot below. We determined where the cutoff was for viewing the city without the parking lot below entering the viewshed. From this we were able to derive where viewing areas for downtown would be best situated in the park.

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Viewsheds

Extended Space: Based On Figure Ground

Boundaries

Union Station/ Liberty Memorial

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SITE EXTENTS STUDIES

Combined Extended Space

These diagrams show three important versions of the park’s spatial extensions. From this we can see that Washington Square Park has great potential to connect to the major attractions of Crown Center, Union Station, and Liberty Memorial.

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Pershing Road Looking East

TEXTURE SERIES The facades, textures and objects that define these extended spaces of Washington Square Park.

WIREFRAME SERIES This is a wireframe of implied extended spaces to show the density and enclosure.

ENCLOSED SERIES This series highlights the edges that define these implied spaces.

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Pershing Road Looking West

Grand Boulevard Looking North

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PHYSICAL EXPLORATION OF EXTENDED SPACES In further exploration of the site extent studies, we explored four critical spatial extensions in model form.

Each model helped us to understand the physical aspect of these spaces. Understanding how Washington Square Park could be extended and seeing how it is the center node of all of these spaces helps us to design a better park. Exploring the spatial connections of the park to the north and the east shows the immediate adjacency of Washington Square Park to the Business Plaza on Grand Blvd and to Blue Cross Blue Shield via the parking lot to the north. Exploring the spatial connection along Grand Blvd, stopping in Crown Center shows how the major activity node of Crown Center has the potential to connect to Washington Square Park. Exploring the spatial connections to Union Station and Liberty Memorial shows that the park has tremendous potential to be connected with the historical places and major activity nodes of the area with the removal of the Link. Exploring the spatial extension to Western Auto along the railways shows that Washington Square Park has the potential to bridge the gap between Crown Center/Union Station and the Crossroads, connecting the area to downtown.

Business Plaza and Blue Cross Blue Shield Parking Lot

Grand Boulevard and Crown Center

Union Station and Liberty Memorial

Western Auto

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Compilation of Spaces

Individual Spaces

Full Spatial Extension

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REMOVING THE LINK This image shows how a greater connection to Crown Center can be achieved by removing the Link to the South. This would encourage more pedestrian movement near the park and create a stronger connection between the park and the Crown Center area.

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REMOVING THE LINK After considering the possible extended boundaries of the site, we adjusted images to show the potential views from the site. By removing the Link, the connection to Union Station automatically becomes more apparent.

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SUMMER SHADING STUDIES In order to understand some of the inherent qualities of the park, we studied the hourly shadows from the summer solstice. These study maps show the shadows cast by the surrounding buildings during the hours of sunlight throughout the day of June 21. This study was done in an attempt to discover which portions of the park are most suited for use in the summer to the amount of shade available throughout the day. The study map below shows the overlay of the shadows throughout the day of June 21. The coinciding map highlights all areas covered in shadow for less than two hours, showing which portions of the park receive the most sun throughout the day, and are therefore less suited for use in the summertime.

During the summer, the southern and northern portions of the park have the least shade, making the middle section of the park the area best suited for use in the summertime.

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SHADOW OVERLAY

AREAS WITH THE MOST SUN DURING THE DAY

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WINTER SHADING In order to understand some of the inherent qualities of the park, we also studied the hourly shadows from the winter solstice. These study maps show the shadows cast by the surrounding buildings during the hours of sunlight throughout the day of December 21. This study was done in an attempt to discover which portions of the park are most suited for use in the winter due to the amount of sun available throughout the day. The study map below shows the overlay of the shadows throughout the day of December 21. The coinciding map highlights all areas covered in shadow for less than two hours, showing that a majority of the park receives good sunlight during the winter, making the middle section the most suitable for use in wintertime.

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SHADOW OVERLAY

AREAS WITH THE MOST SUN + SHADOWS

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Areas with the Most Sun

Areas with the Most Sun that Touch Washington Square Park

Areas with the Most Shade in each Viewing Zone

Areas with the Most Shade in the Optimal Viewing Zone vs All Sub-Optimal Zones

Areas with the Most Shade in Washington Square Park

OPTIMAL ZONE STUDIES: SUMMER SUN This series of studies accounts for two hours or less of shade from the summer shading study and synthesizes it with the optimal viewing zone study in an attempt to find the optimal places to be within the park during the summer. Each successive map removes excess information to produce the final optimal zones.

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Areas within the Park that Receive the Most Shade and Best Views North

OPTIMAL SUMMER SUN ZONES This map is the final iteration of the series that pairs the viewing zone studies with the shading studies in order to determine a second level of optimal zones. From this, we found that there is an area toward the center of the park that receives good shade in the summer and is a prime location to take in the view to the North, making it the most suitable area for use in the summertime.

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Areas with the Most Sun

Areas with the Most Sun that touch Washington Square Park

Areas with the Most Sun in each Viewing Zone

Areas with the most sun in the Optimal Viewing Zone vs All Sub-Optimal Zones

Areas with the Most Sun in Washington Square Park

OPTIMAL ZONE STUDIES: WINTER SUN This series of studies overlays the area of two hours or less of shade from the winter shading study with the optimal viewing zone study in an attempt to find the optimal places to be within the park during the winter. Each successive map removes excess information to produce the final optimal zones.

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Areas within the Park that Receive the Most Sun and Best Views North

OPTIMAL WINTER SUN ZONES This map is the final iteration of the series that pairs the viewing zone studies with the shading studies in order to determine a second level of optimal zones. From this study, we found that there is an area toward the center of the park that receives good sun in the winter and provides an optimal location to take in the view to the North, making it the most suitable area for use in the wintertime.

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OPTIMAL PARK ZONES The series of sun and view studies during the summer and winter resulted in this overlay showing what places in the park are suitable during both seasons. A large area in the middle of the park is suitable for use in the summer and winter and is a great place to view downtown.

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A large area in the middle of the park is an optimal location to be at year round and take in the stunning view of downtown.

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Programmatic Analysis In addition to the spatial capacity of the site, the programmatic potential of Washington Square Park was an interesting aspect in redefining the park. The park is surrounded by some of the most unique attractions in Kansas City, but has yet to become one of them. Detailed programmatic studies of the area sought to understand the park’s programmatic potential as a place of convergence and a destination. Current use conditions were analyzed to determine this potential of Washington Square Park.

As a first step in understanding the current function of the park, a study of the demographics around the site was undertaken to determine who might be using the park and when. The number of employees who are around the site on a daily basis and where they live were analyzed and compared to the number of residents that live near the park and where they work. Understanding what types of people are exposed to the site and when is critical in exploring what types of programmatic elements will attract people to Washington Square Park. Building on the current functions of the park, all of the races and parades that occur within the greater downtown area were analyzed, finding that many of these events either take place at or pass the park, showing the potential for the park to serve the community as a center for such events. As a more in depth analysis of what the park is currently missing and what could potentially be implemented, an inventory was taken of all of the amenities present within each Kansas City Park.

This helped to determine how Washington Square Park stacks up against the other parks in the city and how it can improve what it offers the community.

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Looking outside of the park itself, at what attractions have an influence on the area and what things they offer in terms of program was critical in understanding the programmatic potential of the park and the significance of its location.

Combining these attractions, divided into primary and secondary influences, with a study of the walking distance to each attraction was used to determine the area of influence for the park. A detailed analysis of two of the primary activity nodes within the area of influence was conducted to discover what programmatic aspects are present around the site. An annual event analysis of these two primary activity nodes, Crown Center and Union Station, provided a better understanding of the range of events and programs around the park throughout the year. The gaps in program that were found were used to determine potential programmatic functions that the park may be able to fill.

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The three aspects of programming, amenities, and events show different dimensions of how Washington Square Park and the surrounding area currently serve the citizens of Kansas City. In terms of program, Crown Center and Union Station provide several types of activities for citizens to engage in, but lack in types such as outdoor activities and events. The study of park amenities revealed that the park currently doesn’t have much to offer in the form of amenities compared to other Kansas City Parks and successful parks from case studies. Understanding what is missing in the programming, amenities, and events of the area can become a basis for rethinking Washington Square Park and capturing its potential as a unique public civic space.

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SMITHVILLE SMITHV HVI PLATTE CITY

KEARNEY

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS

LEAVENWORTH

LANSING

LIBERTY

PARKVILLE

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

SUGAR CREEK TONGANOXIE INDEPENDENCE

BONNER SPRINGS BO

BLUE SPRINGS RAYTOWN

LENEXA

EUDORA

LEE’S SUMMIT

201+ persons

1-10 Persons

OLATHE

101-200 persons

11-50 Persons

201+ Persons

51-100 Persons

101-200 Persons

RESIDENTIAL DEMOGRAPHICS

51-100 persons 11-50 persons 1-10 persons GARDNER

POPULATION In order to understand the kinds of commuters in the area, we analyzed where those who live near the park work. The majority of residents in the vicinity of the park live in the Crossroads District to the north. While this area has recently grown significantly in population, it is still sparsely inhabited. Most of the buildings in this area are vacant warehouses that are currently being developed into art galleries, event spaces, and lofts.

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WHERE KC RESIDENTS WORK

BELTON RAYMORE

To further understand the daily fluctuation of population, we analyzed where those who live in Kansas City work. Most of the KCMO residents work in the city, with the largest concentrations in the Downtown and Plaza areas.

PLEASANT HILL

GRAIN VALLEY VALLE

SMITHVILLE SMITHV HVI PLATTE CITY

KEARNEY

EXCELSI

LEAVENWORTH

LANSING

LIBERTY

N RTH NO NORTH KANSSASS CITY KANSAS

TONGANOXIE

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK

KA AN

BO BONNER SPRINGS

BLUE SPRINGS

EUDORA

LEE’S SUMMIT

OLATHE

0-6 0-6 7-18 7-18 19-3719-37 38-7038-70 71-140 71-140 141-280 141-280 281-600 281-600 601-1200 601-1200 1201-3500 1201-3500 3501-7000 3501-7000 Number Number of Employees of Employees

EMPLOYEE DEMOGRAPHICS

WHERE KC WORKERS LIVE

The residential population was then compared to the employee population to understand the daily fluctuation of people. The Crossroads District includes numerous small businesses while the area south of the rail tracks houses mostly larger businesses, mainly consisting of law firms, insurance agencies, and health care. The chart below shows the kinds of employers within our medium site extents. The largest employer is Hallmark, which is located south of the park near Crown Center.

The combined residential and employee demographics show that most people who work in the area do not live there, making the area of Washington Square Park most active during the work day.

To further understand the daily fluctuation of population, we analyzed where those who work in Kansas City live. The largest concentration is to the south and east of the park, showing that the majority of people who work in Kansas City live outside of downtown.

GARDNER

BELTON

RAYMORE

PLEASANT HILL

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Mardi Gras 5k Inspired by Darrell Sublett 5K Brew to Brew Run Lung Hill Run City of Fountains Bike Tour Stiletto Run Cupid’s Undie Run The Rivalry Run Rock the Crossroads Hospital Hill Run Veteran’s Day Parade American Royale Parade Broadway Bridge Run Ugly Sweater Run Big XII 5K Waddell & Reed KC Marathon Komen Race for the Cure

PARADES Mardi & GrasRACES 5K

City of Fountains Bike Tour

The Rivalry Run

Rock the Crossroads

Hospital Hill Run

Ugly Sweater Run events. However, when Komenevents Race for the Cure place in the park, amenities such as

by Darrell Sublett 5K Run Park isInspired WashingtonStiletto Square currently the location for many parades and take restrooms,Lung entertainment, and food have toRun be brought in to facilitate This map shows theParade races and parades that occurred during Brew to Brew Big 12the 5K occasion.

Veteran’s Parade; Armed Forces Day Hill Run 2013 in the Greater Downtown Area. The majority of the routes begin and end within our small extents area, and many of the events include celBridgethe Run race/parade.

Cupid’s Undie Run Waddell & Reed KC Marathon American ebrations in Washington SquareBroadway Park after From this information, we have realized the Royale great potential for the park to become an “event park.”

RACE & PARADE ROUTES SCALE: 1”=500’

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65% of all parade and race routes within the large city context pass by Washington Square Park, demonstrating its potential to attract more people and to be the social focus for these types of events.

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Start/Finish Informal Gatherings Event Activities Vendors

RESULTS RESUL RESU LTS L TS STAGE T TAGE

STAGE S T TAGE APPAREL PAREL PAREL

MASSAGES FOOD

FINISH LINE

FOOD

FOOD GAMES BBQ

SMALL T TABLES

TRUCKS T TABLE PORTABLE TOILETS

PHOTO TENT

STORAGE TRUCKS & EMERGENC VEHICLES EMERGENCY FINISH LINE PHOTOS

KANSAS CITY MARATHON In this plan, there is a noticeably strong use of the southeast entrance near the statue and poor placement of portable bathrooms along the balustrade to the north. Even with the amount of events that use the park, the way they are set up is very haphazard, supporting the need for a strong program that is versatile enough to support these events.

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Start/Finish Informal Gatherings Event Activities Vendors

Beer Garden

Food Trucks

Beverages

Portable Toilets

Vendor

Packet Pick-Up

UGLY SWEATER 5K RUN In this plan, there is a noticeably strong use of the southeast entrance near the statue and poor placement of portable bathrooms along the balustrade to the north. Even with the amount of events that use the park, the way they are set up is very haphazard, supporting the need for a strong program that is versatile enough to support these events.

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PROGRAMMATIC USE: AMENITIES ANALYSIS This section specifically analyzes Washington Square Park and its surrounding context. It identifies adjacent amenities, examines the correlation between existing amenities within Kansas City and compares the park’s amenities to the amenities of the case studies. It also defines the parts of the park are permanent versus temporary and provides initial suggestions for potential programmatic regions of the park.

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Parks Figure Ground

Parks Scale: 1” = 1000’

Dog Park

Skate Park

Liberty Memorial

MEMORIAL HILL AND PENN VALLEY

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Park Shelters / Facilities

Open Space

Playgrounds

HOSPITAL HILL

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Ice Skating

Aquarium

Legoland

CROWN CENTER

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Cas e, Jr.rkP+ ark Dav is Pa er D ietric r Mem k oria Obhs l Hil l erva tion Opp enst Park ein P ark Gag e Gar Park men t Dis tict P a S rh Hos k eila pita l Hil Kem l Pa per rk Lon Diet gfell M rich emo ow P ark rial H Adm i l l iral P laza Opp enst Trian ein P gle Park ark Gar Wes men tern Auto t Dis Park tict P Troo ark st P H o ark spita l Hil Mulk l Park ey S qua re Long fello Jarb w Pa oe P ark rk Adm Wes i t Pe r a l Pla nnw ay za Was Trian hing ton g le P Squ ark are Colu Park mbu s Sq W uare este rn A The uto Para de Park T r o Berk ost ley R P a rk iverfr ont Park Dou Mul glas k Park ey S qua re Jarb oe P ark Wes t Pe nnw ay Was hing ton Squ a She

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Open Lawn Plaza Fixed Seating Movable Seating Restrooms* Open Lawn Plaza Pavilion* Fixed Seating Water Feature* Movable Seating Play Equipment Restrooms* Pavilion* Food* Water Feature* Amphitheater/Event Seating Play Equipment Transportation Access Food* Amphitheater/Event Seating Art Installations* Transportation Access Recreational Games* Art Installations* Viewing Areas Recreational Games* Viewing Areas Recycling Recycling Gardens* Gardens* Parking* Parking*

1

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*Restrooms: only only included if permanent on site *Restrooms: included if permanent on site Pavilion: includes covered shelters Pavilion: includes covered shelters Water Feature: encompasses fountains and natural bodies of water, NOT drinking fountains Water Feature: Food: only included ifencompasses provided on site fountains and natural bodies of water, NOT drinking fountains Art Installations: does NOT encompass memorials Food: only included if provided on site Recreational Games: encompasses fields, courts, and trails, NOT dog parks Art Installations: does NOT encompass memorials Gardens: includes rain gardens, formal gardens, community gardens, and designed landscaping Recreational Games: encompasses fields, courts, Parking: only included if there are designated parking spots on siteand trails, NOT dog parks 1 Seasonal Gardens: includes rain gardens, formal gardens, community gardens, and designed landscaping 1

Parking: only included if there are designated parking spots on site Seasonal

KANSAS CITY PARK INVENTORY Taking into consideration both the case studies and park inventory, certain potential design inferences were made to aid in the eventual programmatic development of Washington Square Park. Through analyzing both principle categories, the analysis was then focused directly on Washington Square Park. The evaluation of Kansas City parks shows that most parks inventoried have programmatic amenities that are not site specific and do little to provide identity to the park. It has also been concluded that there are no unique public spaces existing within the downtown area. This information can be used to determine how Washington Square Park can help develop an identity for itself and the system as a whole. It has potential to unify the system by becoming a public space with unique amenities that relate to the surrounding context and add to the definition of the entire downtown area.

112 Research & Analysis — Programmatic

Open Lawn Plaza Fixed Seating Movable Seating Restrooms Pavilion Water Feature Play Equipment Food Amphitheater/Event Seating Transportation Access Art Installations Recreational Games Viewing Areas Recycling Gardens Parking

Programmatic — Research & Analysis 113

Riverfront

Columbus Park

City Market

River Market

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Downtown Loop

West Bottoms

Oak

Grand

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Broadway

Baltimore

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Sprint Center Bartle Hall 14th

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18th & Vine Performing Arts Center 18th

American Jazz Museum

Crossroads Westside Kemper Arena 20th

American Royal Freight House

Union Station

Hospital Hill

Crown Center

Liberty Memorial WW I Musuem

Longfellow

Union Hill Beacon Hill

114 Research & Analysis — Programmatic

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ACTIVITY CENTERS Washington Square Park is located in the area of some of Kansas City’s top attractions, and via major roadways, connects to many of the other attractions in the city. The most popular destinations are shown in the diagram, including main traffic-way connections. Washington Square Park is surrounded by several of these activity centers which attract more than 7 million people to the area annually.

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Programmatic — Research & Analysis 115

INFLUENCES Studying the activity centers that surround Washington Square Park led to the determination of the primary and secondary influences on the park. Due to the direct proximity and size of the institutions, Union Station, Liberty Memorial, Crown Center, and the business plaza to the east are the primary influences on the park.

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116 Research & Analysis — Programmatic

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Programmatic — Research & Analysis 117

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Union Station Liberty Memorial Crown Center Office Buildings/Hotel

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UNION STATION 5 Southwest Blvd Node LIBERTY MEMORIAL 6 Galleries CROWN CENTER 7 Freighthouse District OFFICE BUILDINGS / HOTEL

8 Lofts/The Cashew 9 Grinders 10 Hospital Hill Park 11 Hospital Hill NODE 17TH & SUMMIT 12KAUFFMAN Sheila Kemper Dietrich CENTER 1318TH Penn Valley Park NODE & BROADWAY 14YJ’S IRS COFFEEHOUSE 15SOUTHWEST Post Office BLVD NODE 16GALLERIES KC Ballet

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GRINDERS HOSPITAL HILL PAR HOSPITAL HILL SHEILA KEMPER P PENN VALLEY PAR IRS POST OFFICE KC BALLET

Five Minute Radius Ten Minute Radius

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five minutePath radius Walking

primary influence

ten minuteInfluence radius Primary

secondary influence

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park space

Park Space

WALKING DISTANCE Washington Square Park is surrounded by many attractions in Kansas City. Exploring the time it takes to walk to each attraction from the park resulted in the discovery that most of the attractions throughout the city are within a ten minute walk.

118 Research & Analysis — Programmatic

Primary & Secondary Influences

Walking Distance

Primary & Secondary Influences + Walking Distance

Programmatic — Research & Analysis 119

120Research & Analysis — section heading

FINAL AREA OF INFLUENCE Primary and secondary influence studies combined with the walking distance study determined the area of influence for the park. The area of influence is based off of the influences that are within a five to ten minute walk, including the Crossroads, Hospital Hill, and Liberty Memorial.

section heading — Research & Analysis 121

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All Theaters

ANNUAL EVENTS: THEATERS Taking a closer look at the different institutions that surround the park and what type of events happen there shows when theater performances are happening throughout the year. There is a gap in theater programming from the fall through the spring in the late afternoon/early evening and year round after 8 pm. Each event is represented by a horizontal line in respect to the month on the horizontal and time of day on the vertical.

122 Research & Analysis — Programmatic

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ANNUAL EVENTS: VENUES Taking a closer look at the different institutions that surround the park and what type of events happen there shows when venues are holding events throughout the year. There is a gap in venue usage from the fall through the spring during most of the day, in summer during the evening, and year round after 8 pm. Each event is represented by a horizontal line in respect to the month on the horizontal and time of day on the vertical.

Programmatic — Research & Analysis 123

Theaters

Venues

Outdoor Activities

All Events

ANNUAL EVENTS Taking a closer look at the different institutions that surround the park and what type of events happen there shows when all events are happening throughout the year. There is a gap in programming year round in the morning and after 8 pm. Each event is represented by a horizontal line in respect to the month on the horizontal and time of day on the vertical.

124 Research & Analysis — Programmatic

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PERMANENT VS TRANSIENT POPULATION: HOTELS Studying the residential population of the hotels nearest Washington Square Park shows when the hotel is most occupied during the year and what percentage of the hotel rooms are occupied. This gives us a better picture of when visitors to Kansas City are exposed to the park. During the spring and summer, 65-90% of the hotel is occupied, making this time of year most attractive to visitors.

Programmatic — Research & Analysis 125

OPEN LAWN

FIXED SEATING RECREATIONAL GAMES

TRANSPORTATION ACCESS

PLAZA

PARKING

GARDENS

EVENT SEATING

RECYCLING

ART INSTALLATIONS

PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

WATER FEATURE

VIEWING AREAS

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PAVILION

10-14 Amenities Present 5-9 Amenities Present

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1-4 Amenities Present 0 Amenities Present

KANSAS CITY AREA PARKS

Medium Connection Low Connection

The size and colors of the bubbles represent how often the specific amenity appeared in the overall sum of Kansas City area parks. The weight and colors of the connection lines reflect how often one amenity was present with another amenity in the overall sum of Kansas City parks. The end result shows the relationship between the amenities, and which amenities are used most often in conjunction with other amenities. This diagram can then be compared to the case studies diagram to show where Kansas City area parks can be improved, as well asPROGRAM the priorities of CONNECTIONS Kansas City KESSLER SYSTEM PARKS AMENITIES parks.

126Research & Analysis — Programmatic

OPEN LAWN

FIXED SEATING

TRANSPORTATION ACCESS

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Amenity Present No Amenity Present Connection Present

WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK CURRENT VS POTENTIAL The color of the bubbles represent whether or not that amenity is present. The connection lines represent the connection between the present amenities. The current connections of Washington Square Park amenities shows a lack of amenities, especially when compared to other Kansas City area parks and the case studies.

Programmatic — Research & Analysis 127

A compilation of all the park amenities from the previous chart was done in order to see which park amenities were most common. Although fixed seating was the most common amenity among the parks, the studio concluded that the mixture of amenities and their relationship to the context of the park is most important. The purpose of this chart should be used only to identify the abundance of amenities in successful parks.

Fixed Seating

Open Lawn

Plaza

Water Feature

Restrooms

Viewing Areas

128Research & Analysis — Programmatic

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Amphitheater

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Pavilion

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Recreational Games

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Parking

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Programmatic — Research & Analysis 129

130Design Investigations

RE-constituting the Idea of Urban Parks 134 RE-establishing the Viable Public Realm 136 RE-considering Urban Parks as an Instrument for Social Wellbeing 142 Design Framework & Guiding Principles 144 Focus Study Areas Objectives

Design Investigations Design Investigations 131

132 Design Investigations — Framework

Design Investigations Based on extensive studies of the park, it has been concluded that Washington Square Park, by its location, contextual significance, and inherent urban ordering potential, is more than just a green space designated as a park. It denotes a missing physical dimension of public realm which, if recovered, can enhance a sense of civic identity of the greater downtown area and provide a new center of gravity to propel new urban development. In addition to the previously addressed issues of connectivity and program, the park design also has the potential to positively affect the issues of economic development, public health, education, and community related problems. These concerns of the city are inherently tied to parks as a whole. In order to comprehensively address such a complex set of issues, three key questions have been articulated to guide design explorations: What is the significance and the role of urban parks as a place in the community? How can the role of public spaces address the social, political, and community related issues of the city?

And what makes a public space successful? These questions and the overarching ideas of connectivity and program are discussed and explored in Design Investigations.

Framework — Design Investigations 133

RE-Constituting the Idea of Urban Parks Urban parks play a significant, but not fully appreciated role in the overall prosperity of America’s cities. When urban parks were first brought to life in the 19th century, they were places of respite for residents living in densely populated conditions. They also served as areas to build community culture and bridge gaps of social status. In later years, as urban sprawl began to take place and residents relocated to suburbs, the acknowledgment of urban parks as an important infrastructure element significantly decreased along with the willingness to invest in their success.

As the detrimental effects of sprawl set in, the focus of rebuilding urban cores became an issue at the forefront. This is a matter that many cities are still dealing with today. As city officials and invested residents begin to reevaluate ways to attract and retain residents, urban parks are making their way into the limelight once again. It is beginning to be recognized that well designed parks can address economic, public health, education, environment, and community related affairs. The key to creating successful parks that help solve problems and play a similar role to 19th century urban parks is to discernibly measure and communicate the value these public spaces can bring to the city and its residents.i

134 Design Investigations — Framework

What is the significance and the role of urban parks as a place in the community?

Framework — Design Investigations 135

RE-Establishing the Viable Public Realm At least since the Greek agora, public spaces have evoked societal ideals of equality, diversity and progress in their very foundations. It is worrisome to wonder if public spaces may no longer act as democratic sites were a diversity of people and activities are embraced and tolerated. If instead, they become centers of commerce and consumption, or places of political surveillance. For as we are growing removed from the times when public spaces were the prime cultural and political site, and drastically more important sites of cultural formation and popular political practice (by those who counted as citizens), and into an age of sprawl and the proliferation of the sites into the virtual realm, it certainly seems unreasonable to expect public spaces to fulfill their traditional roles as places of civic engagement and political awareness. Today’s public spaces are more likely to be interpreted by the degree of consumption they stimulate than their role in shaping civic and political culture. However, to state the link between public space and civic culture and democratic politics a dying relationship simply will not do.

Given the relevance of interpersonal contact in reconciling contrast, coupled with discussion about the role of public spaces, the question arises if encounters with in public spaces foster unification of diverse groups with others unlike themselves, creating the uniform ‘public’ necessary for representative democracy. It is believed that public spaces foster the formation of the ‘public’. The relationship between public spaces and

136Design Investigations — Framework

How can the role of public spaces address the social, political, and community related issues of the city?

Framework — Design Investigations 137

democracy is important. Serving as a vehicle of social relationships, public discourses, and political expression, public spaces are far more than a physical boundary and material setting. They are places imbued with important collective meanings and character, which come to represent the public and public life, as a forum and important common ground. For when public spaces are successful…they increase opportunities to participate in communal activity and bonds between diverse groups. This fellowship in the open nurture the growth of public life.ii Public spaces come in many forms and differing levels of openness: open spaces such as parks, markets, streets and squares; closed spaces like libraries, malls, town halls, clubs, bars, and shops; and spaces for specific publics such as residents or members. A city’s streets, parks, and squares are symbols of collective well-being and possibility, expression of achievement and aspiration by urban leaders and visionaries. Yet more significantly they are remembered as places of public encounter and the formation of civic culture, as well as sites of political deliberation and assembly. These politically functions of public space may seem modest in their sparks of civic and political citizenship, but are subtle and full of collective promise tracing the total dynamic of a public setting; especially today, as the state of public space is a clear indicator of the civic and collective health of democracy.iii Since public spaces play simultaneously as an expression of social ideals and a force that help shape social relation the connections between public space and our cultural principles certainly deserve closer scrutiny.iv

138Design Investigations — Framework

Framework — Design Investigations139

RE-Considering Urban Parks as an Instrument for Social Well-being Parks and civic spaces have long held an important role in the urban fabric, and remain crucial to contemporary society. They are significant in having a positive impact on urban communities through means of social, environmental, economic, and health benefits. Due to the impact parks and civic spaces have on these pivotal areas of society, it is important to address the significance of the effects in these areas, most importantly the social effects, concerning cities and communities. Not only are public spaces vital concerning the overall mental and physical health of Americans, but the citizens themselves also support taxes being raised in order for these spaces to be created and improved. These things are the start of the conversation in reconsidering urban parks as an instrument for social wellbeing.

In order to understand the various social effects of parks and civic spaces, one must be aware of the overall and clear benefits of the spaces.

The obvious being that the accessibility of parks impacts the amount people exercise, meaning people exercise more when having closer access to parks. People who exercise are not only physically healthier, but also mentally healthier. Having interaction with some form of nature improves both physical and mental health, and without access to parks, communities suffer.v vi Aside from the obvious benefits of parks and civic spaces, the social benefits are less clear, but remain just as vital. Parks and civic spaces

140Design Investigations — Framework

What makes a public space successful?

Framework — Design Investigations 141

have the ability to significantly improve urban communities by creating a stronger sense of community among its residents. Relevant with strengthening the sense of community, the presence of parks and civic spaces improve the overall safety and reduce crime in communities. The development of children and adolescence is also enhanced and encouraged by the prevalence and accessibility of parks and civic spaces. These three important social benefits of parks and civic spaces (though not the only benefits), are intertwined with one another.vii The social benefits of parks and civic spaces are what help to create a successful public space. In particular, the sense of community that can be developed through implementation of these spaces fosters involvement in the park, with each other, and in the community as a whole. “When public spaces are successful [. . .] they will increase opportunities to participate in communal activity.

This fellowship in the open nurtures the growth of public life, which is stunted by the social isolation of ghettos and suburbs. In the parks, plazas, markets, waterfronts, and natural areas of our cities, people from different cultural groups can come together in a supportive context of mutual enjoyment. As these experiences are repeated, public spaces become vessels to carry positive communal meanings.�viii While each park and civic space is unique to its context, they all have the opportunity to create the sense of community that will help to make it successful.

Additionally, to make a successful public space, there are certain design features that have the ability to create an overall design framework with application to many spaces.

142 Design Investigations — Framework

The characteristics of successful public spaces include: •“access and availability- good physical access, welcoming spaces and extended opening hours; •invitations by peers and others- embedded in social networks to encourage use; •exchange-based relationships- moving beyond consumerism to participation in the exchange of goods and services; •choreography of spaces by discreet good management while also leaving room for self-organization; •moving beyond mono-cultures- encouraging diverse groups and activities to share common spaces; •and avoiding over-regulation of design and space as security and well-being are more likely to grow out of active use.” ix These characteristics of successful public spaces along with the findings from the studio analysis help to establish the design framework for the Washington Square Park project.x

Framework — Design Investigations 143

144 Design Investigations — section heading

Design Framework & Guiding Principles The guiding ideas behind the design framework are based largely off the extended spaces studies presented in the Research & Analysis section and informed by the study of what aspects of a public space make it successful. The focus study areas and design objectives that make up this framework, along with the above questions, help set the groundwork for the design intentions and strategies carried out through the student vision plans presented below.

Guiding Principles — Design Investigations 145

Framework & Principles: Focus Study Areas The previous extended spaces studies in the Physical Analysis section laid the foundation for the next step of our design process for Washington Square Park. Since the analysis has uncovered the park’s potential to spatially extend and connect beyond immediate site boundaries, the investigation is focused on such critical points where the park interfaces those other conditions to truly capture its urban potential. The resulting spaces were overlaid and analyzed to determine more specific areas of design focus. The most significant focus study areas are highlighted in orange and designate the primary focus point of the following design solutions that will be presented. The orange boxes represent where those connections are critical for each zone to connect back to the park.

Liberty Memorial

Main Street Corridor

Grand Blvd. Corridor

Union Station

Crown Center Plaza

North to Downtown

146 Design Investigations — Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles — Design Investigations 147

Framework & Principles: Design Objectives The design intentions were guided by four overarching objectives. These objectives were inferred on the basis of the analytical studies as critical aspects of the park design that need to be pursued in order for the park to fulfill its urban potential. The four objectives are: integrate pathway system, extend spatial boundaries, activate edges, and anchor the identity. Each design objective described herein is significantly important, yet it is just one aspect of what is needed to achieve a successful design. The next section of this publication explores more deeply into each design objective.

INTEGRATE PATHWAY SYSTEM

EXTEND SPATIAL BOUNDARIES

Integrate the park on a pedestrian level into the larger urban context by connecting and relating it to other significant spaces that define the order of the city.

Redefine the parameters of the park’s spatial boundaries by extending them beyond the physical limits of the site parcel plan to unite experiential and programmatic aspects of the park with the related adjacent spaces.

148 Design Investigations — Guiding Principles

ACTIVATE EDGES

ANCHOR THE IDENTITY

Increase the programmatic and use density of the park edges to activate streets space and promote inhabitation of the central park space as flexible program area.

Ground the park within the unique features of its locale as a fixed and significant place in the city to capitalize on its potential to become a civic space that serves surrounding communities and Kansas City as a whole.

Guiding Principles — Design Investigations 149