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/274582
66 Landscape Architect and Specifier News In 2008, the North Carolina Legislature approved funding for a veterans' park in Fayetteville (pop. 205,678). The city, situated on the Cape Fear River in the Sandhills of the western coastal plain, was deemed an appropriate site, as it's home to Fort Bragg and Pope Army Airfield. The legislation specified a "contemporary, unique, and bold" park, a "place for meaningful reflection and inspiration." The park was seen as a connection to the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, and an impetus for downtown redevelopment. Initial Development The city and Vandewalle and Associates of Madison, Wis., developed the original vision documents. Kimley-Horn in Fayetteville was selected to design the park, incorporate stakeholder input (more than 100 design coordination meetings), and deal with physical site constraints, including stream buffers, flood plain delineations, soils and drainage. Appropriate imagery, flag protocol, quotes and how the branches of the military should be represented engaged intense discussions. Master Plan Emphasis was placed on common materials (steel) and design themes (water). As the legislative mandate was "bold and unique," the team steered clear of engraved monuments, names and dates common to memorial parks. The first step was to create a pedestrian connection between the Airborne and Special Operations Museum and the park. The "Iron Mike" statue in front of the museum, and the park's larger-than-life General Hugh Shelton statue anchor the pedestrian way. The Visitor Center is a contemporary, linear structure, framing views into the park and a backdrop for the community lawn. Under a canopy formed by its roofline, visitors view the Above thinkglass, of boisbriand, Quebec, produced this striking four-inch thick, 10 feet tall, five feet wide glass monument for the Story garden, a quiet spot with custom benches and informal paths. the garden is seen from the Visitor Center. three Wesco WbD-100-1 low- voltage LeDs (12-volt, 5 watts each) strategically uplight the monument, explains rob Wagner, aIa, LeeD aP. Photo: Mark herboth PhotograPhy Right the Community Plaza presents 50 concrete and glass columns with 400 hand castings from veterans and their families representing every N.C. county. the names of each of the state's 100 counties are spelled out on panels, with a configuration map of the county. the columns are arranged by the year the counties were established. Photo: Mark herboth PhotograPhy 64-73.indd 66 2/28/14 5:21 PM