new american green design competitionolympia fields park district The competition was held by the parks district of the Village of Olympia Fields, an intimate suburb located just 27 miles from the Chicago Loop. It called for design of a community park on 20 acres of land that once served as a nursery and farm. In addition to the creation of a new focal point for the community, the design had to make accommodations for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings including an 1890s farmhouse and other original agricultural structures. Our proposal was a suburban park design turned historic scheme. The overall design focused on a path with the numerous charms of special spaces along the band. It incorporated the historic farmstead with an outdoor theater, fairy ring, gazebos, a circular labyrinth and a prehistoric Adena earthen mound. Plantings included an indigenous arboretum, fruit trees and a central mound planted with prairie species tall grass. Recalling American garden monuments, it reflected many stages of our brief, blustery history. |
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