Design Concept and Themes
Celebrate the River, unify both sides
of
green
spaces for the people
of
(click on pictures for detail in PDF format)
Park Promenade, axis from Dorrance Street to the river, is enlivened by flowering trees, raised green planted panels and view to Ember Summer House.
Varied Sitting Areas with views and opportunities to watch people, events and Waterfire border the Promenade.
The Ember Summer House that could be used as a café or gathering space along the Riverwalk
Sculpture Garden
Wildflower meadow, a site for art installations, enhances the Summer House and views to the river.
The Knoll, a terraced amphitheatre seats less than 300 people. The stage has a wall back drop, ‘backstage’ storage and waiting area that double as seating off the promenade.
The Open Lawn, edged with granite slopes toward the river and provides views from the park and adjacent development parcels.
Play Spaces for Children include the lawn and the Knoll (el. 26 ‘), accessible at <5% slope.
The Riverwalk connects the west and east sides via the proposed pedestrian bridge and complies with ADA.
Flowering trees at entries enhance views to the river from the top of the streets.
Shade trees create a “park”way character along South Water Street and extend a green character into the neighborhoods.
A fence with a wavy rail and fish surrounds the Fish Playground protects children from adjacent traffic. Structures include wave slides, turtle, fish and shells found in the Providence River. Seat walls along the Riverwalk have beautiful views up and down the river.
The Existing Boat Ramp will be improved for kayak and canoes with gates, pavement and a mountable curb.
The Park at Night
Lighting
‘Night-friendly’ pedestrian lights line the Riverwalk to continue the lighting of the existing Riverwalk. Footcandle levels and coverage, coordinated with plantings and architecture, avoid glare and dark spots.
Lighting on the Ember Summer House and the Restroom enhances safety.
Other Safety Measures
Wayfinding elements insure that visitors, maintenance and emergency crews can negotiate safely.
Sightlines are clear from neighborhoods streets.
Traffic calming on park streets include trees at edges, lighting, parallel parking, nubbins and entry signage and clear crosswalks. Multiple entries facilitate egress from parks.
People of all ages use parks throughout day and in different seasons.
Railings are located at drops of over 30 inches and around the playground.
Maintenance and Operations
Path thicknesses and alignments support emergency and maintenance vehicles.
Covered Storage for Equipment in hillside has easy access to river and street.
Automatic control clocks and heads with rain shut off control irrigate the lawns. Quick couplers facilitate hand watering woody plantings. Selected turf cultivars tolerate less maintenance and high foot traffic.
Plant species tolerate urban conditions and encourage indigenous plant communities that require minimal maintenance.
All Season Park
Diverse features encourage people of all ages to use parks throughout the day and in different seasons.
It is designed to accommodate events that are specific to Providence and its culture.
Brown, Richardson & Rowe, Inc., Team Overview
Providence Parks Department
Dalrymple Boathouse
Roger Williams Park
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
City Hall Contact Information & Hours
Providence City Hall
Phone: (401) 421-7740
TDD (401) 751-0203
25 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903
Hours
Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Summer Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm
