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 77 With so much activity in the park, there is often overlap between events, occasionally creating conflict between user groups, and often creating challenges for park managers. Lack of adequate parking has been a consistent problem for the morning, afternoon events and evening park events. The park was also starting to show signs of wear, with outdated facilities, cracked sidewalks and weathered site amenities. In 2009, the town of Vail hired the Logan Simpson Design team led by Jana McKenzie and Kurt Friesen to prepare a park master plan. The focus of the master planning was to create a front door for the park, resolve conflicts between user groups, develop an improved parking strategy, enhance the arrival experience into the park and create a world-class experience for visitors. As part of the master planning the design team worked closely with Vail staff, conducting numerous presentations with town boards and commissions, held public open houses, and led a multidisciplinary team of consultants through the design work. Following completion of the master plan, the design team prepared construction documents for two phases of the project. The first phase included new concessions and maintenance buildings, wetland area, expanded festival space and sports field, and a promenade with pedestrian overlooks to Gore Creek near the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Phase I construction was completed in summer of 2013. Phase II construction is currently underway, and includes improved fields, parking, and bus drop-off, and an improved north entry to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Ford Park Promenade A key objective of the project was to improve pedestrian and vehicular connectivity between the parking lots along the north edge of the park with the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater to the south. This was no simple task, as the area is tightly constrained between the amphitheater and Gore Creek, and is on a very steep grade. The design team studied multiple ways to improve semi-truck and pedestrian connectivity along this steep bank, while also enhancing the overall experience for visitors enjoying mountain views and the rushing sounds of Gore Creek. 76-81.indd 77 3/25/14 4:11 PM