Litchfield Square, located in Litchfield Park, Arizona, reflects modern development while preserving the city's rich heritage. The concept originated in 1994 with the city council's Village Center Plan, which envisioned a central community hub. From 1994 through 2007, the city acquired parcels north of Wigwam Boulevard and east of Litchfield Road for future development. Between 2018 and 2021, the city engaged with residents and community organizations to ensure the project aligned with local priorities and visions. Construction began in June 2021 and was completed in February 2025. Today, Litchfield Square stands as the fulfillment of a decades-long vision - now a walkable, community-centered downtown that brings people together.

EPS Group, the prime consultant on the project, was commissioned by the city of Litchfield Park to provide comprehensive services including landscape architecture, surveying, civil engineering, and construction administration. The 26-acre development includes a 2.5-acre city park, new roadways, grading and drainage infrastructure, and streetscape enhancements.

 
Park Features
Litchfield Square Park supports future business development and serves as a destination for entertainment and community events. It strengthens connections to nearby mixed-use developments and offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Pedestrian-friendly features - such as shaded seating, mobile phone charging stations, and safe crossings - enhance comfort and accessibility for both residents and visitors. Grassy open spaces, designated areas for food trucks, and a planned amphitheater accommodates regional activities. Additional amenities include a tree-lined promenade, public plazas, and educational garden areas with interpretive signage.

A central design highlight of the park is its hardscape, which incorporates decorative pavements, inviting seating areas, and pedestrian-friendly pathways - all designed with comfort, safety, durability, and aesthetics in mind. The main park areas include Belvedere Plaza, Palm Plaza, Dry Creek, Educational Gardens, the Rose Garden, a playground, and a restroom facility.

Hardscape Elements
As visitors walk eastward from Palm Plaza - located in the northwest corner of the project - they follow a promenade that leads to Belvedere Plaza. This pathway features linear Verona pavers in Pewter, Charcoal, and Tan, creating a clean and elegant look, flanked by palm groves and Autumn Gold concrete paving on both sides. Just before reaching Belvedere Plaza, visitors encounter Dry Creek, which includes Kino Blue decomposed granite and 'Regal Mist' Pink Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Lenca'), framed by natural-looking Mega Arbel pavers. The creek's midpoint is paved with Dark Brown Verona pavers to appear as a small bridge within the walkway. Within Belvedere Plaza and the Rose Garden, Slate Stone Pavers in blended Gray, Moss, and Charcoal enhance the space's circular patterns.

From Belvedere Plaza, visitors can see the Educational Gardens and the series of gray concrete walkways that lead to the playground - one of the park's main attractions. The playground's poured-in-place rubber surfacing features furrow-patterned designs inspired by Litchfield Park's agricultural heritage, with orange dots symbolizing the city's historic citrus groves. Between the playground and the restroom building, Holland Stone pavers are set into the concrete pavement and designated for future commemorative engravings.

Challenges
One of the key challenges during construction administration was aligning the jagged edges of the Mega Arbel pavers at Dry Creek and coordinating the score lines in the adjacent concrete paving. EPS Group worked closely with the city of Litchfield Park and overall general contractor Achen-Gardner to make real-time layout adjustments, ensuring the pavers matched the creek's naturalistic shape. Special attention was given to score line placement at Palm Plaza to prevent future cracking.

Outcome
The successful completion of Litchfield Square is a testament to the city's long-term vision. What began as a concept over 30 years ago is now a vibrant, community-centered space. Through teamwork and shared dedication, the project brings people together, supports local business, and offers a welcoming destination for all. Litchfield Square is not only the city's new center - it is a celebration of its history and a vision for its future - rooted in purpose, shaped by community, and built to last.

As seen in LASN magazine, September 2025.