©
2004-Present Elmore Design Collaborative, Inc.
WALNUT HILL PARK
Selective Park Improvements
New Britain, Connecticut
Project Data Date: 2000-01
Size: 90+ acres
Context: Hilltop park, 3 blocks west of downtown New Britain
Project Description:
Walnut Hill Park, sitting high on a hilltop, was originally designed by Olmsted, Vaux & Company in 1870, and since has experienced many changes. The park consists of 90+ acres and enjoys two distinct characteristics, a steep hill and a rolling meadow. This project improved selective pedestrian facilities and associated site features between Grand Street and the World War I memorial and West Main Street and the World War I memorial. Improvements on the Grand Street, or south side of the park, included a new paved plaza with universal accessibility, benches and multi-seasonal color planting. The plaza connects Grand Street to a relocated and accessible walkway leading up to the World War I memorial. Randomly planted specimen trees break up the existing greensward to the east and dying specimen trees to the west were removed. Extensive improvements were made between West Main Street and the memorial. All deteriorated concrete terraces, retaining walls, walkways with segmented stairs and overgrown plantings were removed. An existing set of granite stairs at the street were cleaned and restored to their original condition. Improvements included two new terraces with special paving, retaining walls, walkways, stairs, benches, lights and multi-season plantings that were selected to minimize park maintenance. Existing 10”-15” caliber Sycamore trees were transplanted to maintain size and aesthetics. Grading improvements were incorporated throughout the new design. Budget projections insured all proposed improvements would be built within the predetermined construction budget.
EDC Principal Thomas Elmore was Principal-In-Charge and Project Manager for this project and prepared DD’s, CD’s and budget projections. All work was completed for TO Design, the design firm of record.
Selective Park Improvements
New Britain, Connecticut
Project Data Date: 2000-01
Size: 90+ acres
Context: Hilltop park, 3 blocks west of downtown New Britain
Project Description:
Walnut Hill Park, sitting high on a hilltop, was originally designed by Olmsted, Vaux & Company in 1870, and since has experienced many changes. The park consists of 90+ acres and enjoys two distinct characteristics, a steep hill and a rolling meadow. This project improved selective pedestrian facilities and associated site features between Grand Street and the World War I memorial and West Main Street and the World War I memorial. Improvements on the Grand Street, or south side of the park, included a new paved plaza with universal accessibility, benches and multi-seasonal color planting. The plaza connects Grand Street to a relocated and accessible walkway leading up to the World War I memorial. Randomly planted specimen trees break up the existing greensward to the east and dying specimen trees to the west were removed. Extensive improvements were made between West Main Street and the memorial. All deteriorated concrete terraces, retaining walls, walkways with segmented stairs and overgrown plantings were removed. An existing set of granite stairs at the street were cleaned and restored to their original condition. Improvements included two new terraces with special paving, retaining walls, walkways, stairs, benches, lights and multi-season plantings that were selected to minimize park maintenance. Existing 10”-15” caliber Sycamore trees were transplanted to maintain size and aesthetics. Grading improvements were incorporated throughout the new design. Budget projections insured all proposed improvements would be built within the predetermined construction budget.
EDC Principal Thomas Elmore was Principal-In-Charge and Project Manager for this project and prepared DD’s, CD’s and budget projections. All work was completed for TO Design, the design firm of record.