Park Design Awards

Entry Form

Agency County Parks

Address 9480 Watertown Plank Road

City State WI Zip Code Wauwatosa 53226

Agency Contact Title Sarah Toomsen Project Manager

Email [email protected] If a consultant is submitting the award, please complete section below:

Consultant Name Title Blake Theisen, PLA Project Manager

Firm Ayres Associates

Email [email protected]

Project Title Calvin Moody Park

Date Completed 2015 Calvin Moody Park – Milwaukee, WI

The Amani neighborhood in Milwaukee has been working on the revitalization of the historically troubled Calvin Moody Pool site into a friendly community destination that all could be proud of. This 4 acre lot now provides much needed vibrance with a new community center, large playfi eld, basketball courts, splashpad, paths, and community garden. Calvin Moody Park – Milwaukee, WI

Submitted by Ayres Associates in conjunction with Milwaukee County Parks

1. Innovation The existing 4-acre parcel contained the boarded up and closed red brick building that housed the Calvin Moody Pool. This site has been historically troubled and attracted a of crime. Realizing the potential of the space and the needs of the neighborhood residents, the decision was made to wipe the slate clean and revamp the space with amenities for all age groups. A partnership with the Community Action Coalition spurred the community outreach process and redevelopment of the park.

1. Functionalism The park renovation was a long-awaited response to the 2008 decision to close the Moody Pool and Recreational Center. The main project goal was to interject vitality and ownership back into the neighborhood. Key program elements include a new year-round community center, playfi elds, splashpad, basketball courts, exercise equipment, expanded parking lot, and stormwater management features to reduce the burden on the City’s combined system. A pathway network through and around the park provided residents important connections to the community building and the COA facilities next door. The park design also included an exterior loop path with exercise stations to promote exercise and healthy lifestyles. A large community garden area was established to further promote a fi eld to table environment. A new football/soccer fi eld and little league ball diamond provided an opportunity for youth sports programming to a population who is typically deprived of these activities.

2. Aesthetics The community desired a safe and vibrant area for residents of all ages to come together and in a positive way. The design of the park draws on these hopes while also paying tribute to a prominent local fi gure – Mr. Calvin C. Moody, one of Milwaukee’s fi rst black detectives. The bright colors and landforms warrant investigation and curiosity among its users, enhancing sense of place and park use. The grand staircase honors the former landmark building and integrates inspirational quotes from the neighborhood elders.

3. Community Benefi ts Once the decision was made to close the Calvin Moody Pool it wasn’t long before the vacant area became a haven for crime. The newly renovated space is already creating a sense of pride in Amani neighborhood residents. This project, along with other planned improvements, are all aimed at improving the quality of life for its residents. The new building has become the neighborhood polling place and features a design element called the “community table”. This concept evolved from the community input searching a place to sit down and work through issues and have a common place to break bread.

4. Environmental Stewardship The design team worked with the city and Milwaukee Metro Sewer District to reduce stormwater impact to the combined sewer system. Bio retention systems and native raingardens were designed to capture and fi lter rainwater. The building interiors were specifi ed with low VOC paints and other materials. Natural daylighting into the space helped to reduce the electrical load. All site and building lighting utilized LED technology and were full cut off fi xtures eliminating any light trespass into the night sky. The splashpad utilizes a recirculation system that was designed to capture and reuse the water from the facility. This reduces the demand load on the municipal water supply and minimizes the use of chemical treatment.

5. Maintenance The design team worked with County staff to ensure long term ease of maintenance. The operations staff for the splashpad were included in design discussion from early on in the process and were included in all construction meetings and decisions. Large areas of the park were planted in low mow grasses helping to minimize the mowable areas. Careful consideration to sight lines within the park were taken to help with maintenance staff and police force patrol.

6. Conclusion Calvin Moody Park is the new gem for the Milwaukee County Parks system and specifi cally the Amani neighborhood. It serves as a recreational amenity as well as a hub for community gathering and is helping to foster new developments in the neighborhood. Careful planning and design involving the community members spanned almost two years and helped to foster local stewardship of the park. Since completion, the park has received high praise across the region and is the new pride of not only the Amani neighborhood, but Milwaukee County as well. Moody park received the Milwaukee Mayors Design Award in the fall of 2016. Calvin Moody Park – Milwaukee, WI

Project Budget/Funding sources

WORK DESCRIPTION COST 1. Mobilization/demolition/erosion control $224,564 2. Earthwork $101,200 3. Utilities $129,833 4. Surfacing $266,928 5. Athletic fi elds $73,996 6. Community building $872,048 7. Splashpad $252,134 8. Amenities and landscaping $321,742 Total Cost $2,242,445 Funding source: All funding provided through bonding Preferred Concept

CALVIN MOODY Park Milwaukee, WI

Project Goals:

The former Calvin Moody Pool that occupied this site served as much more than just an aqua c center. The park is located in the heart of the Amani neighborhood and has func oned as a community center for decades. When the pool and building were removed, Milwaukee County Parks convened with community leaders to establish goals for redevelopment. The new facili es were envisioned to provide a strong sense of community gathering, athle c fi elds, basketball courts, and an aqua c play feature.

Concept:

The design team worked with community stakeholders to establish a pa ern of connec vity within the park, linking the diff erent uses and ac vi es. A new community building is located in the heart of the park, serving as a hub of neighborhood ac vity. A large “community table” was designed into the exterior plaza space next to the building allowing for communal meals and mee ngs. A large splashpad provides a cooling off spot for neighborhood children, and new play equipment serves both the park and adjacent elementary school.

New soccer/football fi elds provide fl exible greenspace. A new li le league ball diamond, three new basketball courts, and a community garden all provide ac- vi es for mul ple genera ons of residents. An outdoor pavilion and stage were planned to provide a backdrop for neighborhood special events and concerts.

The site is located in the City’s combined sewer district, so innova ve stormwater management techniques were incorporated into the design. The fi nishing touch to the park was the grand staircase leading into the site to replicate the old Moody Pool building stairs, which served as an informal mee ng place. Incorporated words/phrases were gathered from neighborhood elders to inspire the next genera on of residents.

Community staircase Green parking lot Basketball complex Communal dining area Splashpad

101 E. Badger Road ● Madison, WI 53713 608.255.0800 ● www.AyresAssociates.com Construction

Calvin Moody Park, Milwaukee, WI

101 E. Badger Road ● Madison, WI 53713 608.255.0800 ● www.AyresAssociates.com Completion

Calvin Moody Park, Milwaukee, WI

101 E. Badger Road ● Madison, WI 53713 608.255.0800 ● www.AyresAssociates.com