Lively community conversations were all part of the process that led to a redesign of the Green in downtown Waterbury. Photograph by John Murray
New Britain-based landscape architecture and civil engineering design firm TO Design, LLC received an Award of Merit in Landscape Planning and Analysis from the Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the Waterbury Green Master Plan.
The CTASLA hosts the Connecticut Design Awards each year to recognize excellence in landscape architectural design, planning and analysis, communication, and research.
“These award-winning projects showcase the various ways that landscape architects enhance the built environment and contribute to the cultural resources of our communities,” said Eric Rains, president of CTASLA and principal of Norwalk-based Eric Rains Landscape Architecture LLC.
The iconic Waterbury Green has been long considered one of New England’s premier greens. In its 350 years, the space has been transformed many times to meet the needs of the City. Complex challenges facing the green and downtown Waterbury warranted a comprehensive team that included preservationists, planners, traffic engineers, an arborist and conservator. Public transportation issues, land use, public art, pedestrian and vehicular connections, circulation and streetscapes were important aspects of the planning and analysis of this project. Historical photograph research helped guide TO Design’s final plan.
Respect for historical and community-based ramifications was of critical importance to TO Design. The design team utilized the following guiding principles in creating the master plan:
1. The history of the green should be respected and significant historic elements replaced or interpreted;
2. Any visit to the Waterbury Green should be a high quality experience;
3. The Waterbury Green should be a lively, vibrant, vital public green space;
4. Any proposed changes should be sustainable and maintainable with existing or diminished resources; and
5. The new Waterbury Green shall be an economic engine to support economic revitalization, bringing people, businesses and institutions to downtown Waterbury.
The intent is to significantly boost downtown vitality and activity at adjacent bars and restaurants, building on the existing arts, entertainment and educational resources. The award-winning master plan, funded by a Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Vibrant Communities Initiative grant, addresses ways to make the green more vital to the community, and incorporate the surrounding streetscapes as well. Community involvement will be a primary focus in the success of this project.
For a story about the redesign process check out….
https://www.waterburyobserver.org/node/705
Key team members include Landscape Elements, CDM/Smith, and ConservArt.
About TO Design, LLC: Established in 1987, TO Design, LLC is the collaborative partnership of W. Phillips Barlow, ASLA, LEED AP and Mark G. Smith, P.E., offering full Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering services throughout New England. For more information visit www.todesignllc.com