Grand Is Great, but Sometimes Less Is More

By George Schmok

I’m not sure what was called a park before Olmsted designed Central Park, but by all accounts, at least here in the good old USofA, that was the park that defined what a park really was. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to find 843 acres directly adjacent to your next project that you can turn into a meeting place, recreation center, landmark, nature preserve and respite.

Now, I do have to start by saying that the Great Park in central Orange County, Calif. is in the same ballpark, eclipsing the size of Central Park by some 450 acres (1,300 acres versus 843 acres). However outside of that project and given that the only land left in America that can be turned into a National Park is probably associated with either frozen tundra or bone-dry desert, most parks are something less . . . At least in size and stature.

So today many parks are designed to be mini Central Parks.

Often there is an entrance or two, a few paths leading hither and yon, a structured play or sports facilitating area, some forms of indigenous plant material, adequate amenities, perhaps some form of water on display (if nothing else at least for drinking), and afew places for people to rest their weary bones and breath in a bit of fresh air.

These things are certainly not bad. In fact, they are mostly desirable and worthy endeavors. Such is the case with the parks you will find in this issue of LASN.

So why then does the cover of this ‘Parks’ issue showcase a split rail fence across a lush green lawn and not a spectacular example of design completeness?

After all . . . Landscape Architects are designing truly awesome parks, with all the bells and whistles that only years of experience, research, dedication and imagination can produce. And when I say bells and whistles, I’m not talking gaudy, contrived amenities or meaningless, wasteful elements. No . . . I’m talking fantastic uses, preserving nature, inspiring play, sustainable, maintainable, even energy- producing landscapes that any community would be proud to include in their brochure of great places to visit.

Heck . . . Even the play structures of today are simply awesome. They’re made of re-cycled materials, have educational elements, provide protection from the sun, and allow access and entertainment to virtually every human who has even the slightest amount
of mobility.

Inner city parks remind us of the undiscovered forest. Rural parks bring together safety and community. National parks connect us with nature, leaving a minimal footprint while being shared
by millions . . .

So why the small, simple cover shot? All I can say is Peace of Mind.

So often today the things we do and build are designed to fill our lives with something we don’t have. We go to great lengths to entertain ourselves, to enrich ourselves, to help us gain understanding or complete our unnourished selves. But despite all of our efforts and planning and greatness, little can match the smile on a baby’s face, the lick of a small puppy or the beauty of a single cloud floating against the blue sky.

Sometimes the simplest, the most unplanned events can bring us the greatest joy and peace of mind. Thus the simple landscape in an untrumpeted part of another fantastically designed park somewhere in America.

You guys do great work! Your contributions to society are unmatched by any other profession. Your knowledge and skill have brought you to great pinnacles of success and the people you touch are as countless as the grains of sand.

But please . . . Please remember to include the simple in your work. Please remember that all is not planned. Please remember to include the space where a two-year-old can run barefoot and free . . . and Please . . . Please keep up the great work that you do every day!