Case Study: Game-Day Pop-Up Promenade

Game Days

The days when FedEx Field hosts a Washington Commanders game or the Prince George’s Classic, are special in Downtown Largo. The surrounding area could better capitalize on this resource if more people used the Largo Metrorail station to access the stadium and if the game-day experience included the walk between the station and the stadium

A game-day pop-up promenade would draw on numerous traditions and precedents to create a whole new placemaking experience in Downtown Largo. The promenade could combine the excitement of a carnival, the camaraderie of tailgating, the casualness of a street fair, and the destination feeling of urban stadiums and arenas. The experience would be an event for game attendees and for anyone else wanting to join in the game-day festivities.

The game-day pop-up promenade would require significant coordination and collaboration between the sports, retail, and restaurant entities along the route. The pop-up promenade could begin as a prototype executed once or twice in the same season. The prototyped versions could be used to test different activities and determine how logistics could be managed before becoming an ongoing tradition.

Special game-day Wayfinding Features, such as gateway markers and directional signage, will identify the route of the pop-up promenade and its features Wayfinding could be supplemented by web- or appbased resources as well

Corridor Features will help define the route of the promenade for pedestrians These would include day-of event banners,street closures through the Carillon area, and vinyl street markers

Pop-Up Activities will occur along the way, particularly in the “gateway” and “midway” points along the route (e g , Carillon) These would include games, food, souvenirs, entertainment, and sports-related video feeds

Visitor Services such as parking, Wi-Fi, and restrooms provide amenities for people visiting

The public spaces and shopping areas along the promenade route could be activated with planned and impromptu activities. The route could be marked with bright banners and fabric installations. Along the way, there could be eating areas (from outdoor restaurants to food truck rodeos), play areas (carnival rides, inflatable play areas), performance spaces (stages), spin-off events (Largo bike races), and yes, places to park and tailgate.