BUILDING ON SUCCESS: PLANNING THE AMP’S NEXT DECADE

This conceptual masterplan illustrates how the park area at the Amp could be transformed into the ultimate destination for local families. Currently, this area of the park features a number of programmed areas for activities like cornhole and ping-pong. The Amp and downtown could benefit from a more flexible area with play spaces and youth-focused amenities.

In this concept, an approximately 40foot splash pad area anchors the park area. Flanked by a “tot lot” play space, a flexible lawn, and larger equipment for older children, this area could become an anchor of family life downtown. This concept includes exciting and unique elements like a rooftop play area and circular slide on the existing restrooms building, a howling wolf play tower, and a climbing wall on the neighboring parking deck. This design includes a one-ofa-kind slide and elevated stairway connecting the Amp to the city-county parking deck. Cleveland, Ohio, and Boise, Idaho, both have examples of parking deck slides that have created magnets for local families. A similar feature in Carrollton could create a draw for the surrounding region and beyond.

This concept also shows Wagon Yard Plaza reconfigured with additional parking spaces and paving to match Amp Alley to the south of the park. The site’s existing topography could allow the service area to be relocated and concealed from view along John Wesley Plaza. This design transforms the steep bank on the south end of the park into an attractive and inviting stepped plaza space inspired by Roemer Plaza at Boston’s Suffolk University. Surrounded by great restaurants, this stepped plaza could create the ideal location for informal outdoor dining.

Wagon Yard Plaza

PROPOSED, STEP I

Topping the existing paving with the brick texture seen on Amp Alley elevates the look of Wagon Yard Plaza and helps tie this area into the Amp. A simple black metal screen with gates allows access to the existing businesses and residents while obscuring views of back-of-house services. This screen could be adapted as shown to include a rear bar at Irish Bred Pub. Designed to coordinate with the recently completed parklet across Bradley Street, this screening includes the city’s logo in an elegant matte black. Façade improvements including removal of vinyl siding, relocated utilities, fresh paint, a retractable fire escape ladder, and more improve the look of these prominent downtown buildings.

EXISTING: This image shows Wagon Yard Plaza immediately behind the Amp. The back-of-house areas for businesses along Adamson Square are highly visible for visitors attending events.

PROPOSED, LONG TERM

Relocating the restroom facility elsewhere in Amp park could help erase the transition between the Amp and the adjacent park. By relocating this building, local leaders could encourage more activity in the park area behind the Amp.

REPROGRAMMING THE AMP FOR YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY

EXISTING: The amphitheater area at the Amp sometimes lacks activity between programmed events.

PROPOSED: Adirondack chairs in the colors of Carrollton’s logo could further activate the space and invite people to use the Amp between events. Above and beyond an event space, features like movable seating and play areas could establish the Amp as the full-time downtown gathering place for the whole community.

potential mural wall

Proposed

PARKS FOR ALL AGES: FAMILY-FRIENDLY AMENITIES AT THE AMP

Existing

EXISTING: This brick public restroom facility separates the amphitheater space from the remainder of the park area.

Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary

Proposed

If the restroom facility cannot be moved, topping the existing building with exciting playground equipment could create a highly visible and inviting play space. The tower structures shown are similar to those created by Landscape Structures for Coachman Park in Clearwater, Florida. A stainless steel slide and spiral staircase connect the rooftop play space with the park below. This area could also act as VIP seating during events. City officials are working with a local artist to transform the blank brick walls shown with an inviting mural.

COLOR-CHANGING LIGHTING AMPLIFIES CONCERTS AND SEASONAL EVENTS