An Evaluation Of Three Urban Riverfront Parks: Lessons For Designers (waterfront Assessment, Environmental).

Abstract

In recent years, downtown revitalization plans in cities located on waterfronts frequently included reclamation of the waterfront as a major element in their renewal. Typically, the waterfront is redeveloped as a major public recreational amenity designed to attract people from throughout the metropolitan area. Waterfront improvements are funded by public program dollars and represent a substantial investment of resources to the reclamation of the waterfront as a vehicle for city renewal. This study examines how redeveloped urban riverfront parks function and, from a systematic evaluation of their use, provides information which can contribute to the improved design of future urban riverfront parks. Specific objectives of the study are: (1) to determine the extent to which design program goals for urban riverfront parks are being met, and to discover the unanticipated uses of the parks; (2) to develop an understanding of the use of places commonly incorporated in the park design (the amphitheater, river's edge, lawn, and vendors area); and (3) to suggest how these findings might contribute to the design of future urban riverfront parks. Riverfront parks in Detroit, Lansing, and Flint, Michigan were selected for this study. Following interviews with park designers, city administrators, and civic leaders, document review, and site visits, park design program goals were identified. The extent to which these goals were achieved was assessed with data collected through interviews with 384 park visitors and behavioral observations during 12 different time periods on event and non-event days. The data analysis indicates that while the parks substantially meet their program objectives, there are areas needing more attention. The use of the amphitheater, the river's edge, lawn, and vendors areas pointed to problems in their location as well as design. Lessons learned are directed to policy-makers as well as designers and apply to overall park design as well as to the four selected places.