LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/289392
April 2014 47 roadways to create a more functional public open space, while providing highly attractive and usable adjacent parcels for economic development. The result is a repositioned 25-acre community park on Lake Toho, new green streetscapes connecting the lake to downtown and about eight acres of new redevelopment property on the new Lakeview Drive, and proximate to a planned downtown SunRail commuter rail station. This complex project began with the redesign of the streets and their network. The use of roundabouts, brick paving, street trees and narrow lane widths result in calming traffic around the park. This traffic calming helps pedestrians cross the street safely to and from the park. These streets are no longer barriers between downtown and the lake, but unifying elements where the community may gather and feel safe. Often the streets are closed for festivals throughout the year, such as the 4th of July, Top the Kissimmee Lakefront master plan illustrates the realignment of the streets to create a contiguous 25-acre park that interacts closely with Lake tohopekaliga (Lake toho). the previous park area was subdivided by streets and parking. Lakeshore Boulevard used to parallel the water's edge, thus cutting off pedestrian connections to the lake. Lakeshore Boulevard was removed and replaced by a 14-ft. wide pedestrian path. A large horseshoe shaped walk unifies the Civic Lawn and forms the large green space. Plazas, playgrounds, a splash pad, picnic shelters intimate gardens, a marina, storm water treatment basins and interpretive signage make this park a popular community amenity. Bottom AECOM developed two distinct play areas fitting the play needs of younger and older children. the play structures are from Landscape structures and Kompan. Play surfacing includes artificial turf (Forever Lawn), poured-in-place rubber (duraPlay surfaces) and engineered wood fiber (Wood Carpet). AEris 150-watt metal halide wide floodlights (Lithonia Lighting) are mounted to the shade canopy (shade America) columns. Most of the lights are directed to reflect off the shades, reducing the amount of direct light into the children's eyes, creating a pleasant glow and ensuring safe play at night. A large grass mound, a large picnic shelter with restrooms, biodetention areas for stormwater treatment and a large flexible "Civic Lawn" are adjacent. the existing live oaks were preserved, and provide ample shade 44-51.indd 47 3/25/14 4:53 PM