Smothers Park & Owensboro Riverfront Redevelopment

Landscape Architecture by EDSA

The redevelopment of the riverfront in Owensboro, Kentucky, has brought nearly $70 million in additions and improvements to the area since planning began in 2001, and more than $1 billion in new developments to the area. The latest feature is Smothers Park, a five-block area that features a custom and fully accessible playground, multiple fountains, water features and a veteran's memorial. The splash pad includes two-dozen water jets over 2,315 square feet of safety surfacing.

With a population of 57,265 and a metropolitan population of 114,752, Owensboro is the fourth-largest city in Kentucky, and an industrial, medical, retail and cultural core for the western part of the state.

In the 1980's, Owensboro began reimagining its downtown area, beginning with the revitalization of a major riverfront hotel, the addition of a cultural performing arts center, and streetscape improvements on 2nd Street, downtown's main boulevard. Despite the ideal locations of the riverfront attractions, city officials felt that opportunities to increase tourism and greater use of the area were being lost.

The "larger than life" play elements at the Lazy Dayz Outdoor Children's Museum and Playground were created by Cost of Wisconsin and The Weber Group.

The desire for a world-class riverfront became the catalyst for continuing redevelopment, creating a hub of new entertainment opportunities on what had been a blighted downtown district.

Planning
More than a decade ago, EDSA began the master planning for the 1.4-mile stretch of the Owensboro Riverfront district. The full-service planning, landscape architecture and urban design firm began by examining how a linear walkway along the river could have a cultural and economic impact for the city of Owensboro and the larger region of western Kentucky, while providing public access to the riverfront. By the summer of 2012, the Owensboro Riverfront redevelopment created more than 15 acres of public recreational space along the water's edge for families, friends and business associates to relax and enjoy.

The scope of the playground and attention to accessibility makes Smothers Park one of the largest accessible play areas in the country. The structures were provided by Miracle Recreation, and "we pretty much used the whole catalog," said EDSA principal Paul Kissinger.

A series of stakeholder workshops were held when the project began in 2001, providing an immense amount of public input and reinforcing the existing grassroots support of the project. Additional outreach included creation of a leadership stakeholders group, which actively participated throughout the redevelopment. The stakeholders group became a critical component to the success of the project.

EDSA also held public presentations and meetings to maintain the public's interest and a consensus throughout the process. The team listened to the community and incorporated business-related, social, environmental and financial data into the planning and design, resulting in a master plan that could and would be implemented within the city's means.

The addition of Smothers Park included the redevelopment of Veteran's Boulevard adjacent to the park. The land for the park was reclaimed from an eroding riverbank during construction, with sheet piles that created a barrier filled with rock and covered with concrete. Plans for the park had to be rendered based on projections of how the space would look when the foundation was completed.

Challenges
As with most public projects, developing funding was the biggest challenge. Owensboro's political leaders – which included three mayors and several iterations of the city council over the course of the project – focused on obtaining the necessary funding, while EDSA drafted a series of strategic plans, each increasing in size, scale and scope as the project's budget progressed.

"Utilizing a phased implementation program created an energy, excitement and commitment to the project's success and fostered public-private partnerships," said Paul Kissinger, EDSA principal and chief operating officer.

More than 20,700 square feet of artificial turf and poured in place safety surfacing was installed for the play area, which was designed to be "barrier free" and relies on ramps instead of stairs to remove obstacles for children with mobility restrictions.

The positive public sentiment helped Owensboro and Davies County officials pass a tax for the riverfront and downtown development during one of the toughest economic times in the world. Although there was tremendous support for the master plan, a lot of energy was directed at public relations so as to keep the focus alive for 11 years.

Before construction began on Smothers Park, EDSA planned and led installation of the patio at RiverPark Center, the Mitch McConnell Riverwalk & Plaza, and the English Park boat ramp and scenic overlook.

Setting the Stage
The project began with expansion of the existing outdoor performance venue along the river, which became a 15,000 square foot event space and overlook that pays tribute to the Ohio River with a nautical theme and wavy, aquatic patterns that include a representation of a riverboat paddle wheel. The next strategic development was the Mitch McConnell Riverwalk and Plaza, named for Kentucky's longest-serving senator, also the current Minority Leader in Congress's upper house. Envisioned as an outdoor, open green space, the plaza provides for intimate settings as well as larger spaces, and has become the home to special local events like Owensboro's BBQ Festival. The third project was the relocation of the downtown boat ramp.

The Owensboro Riverfront redevelopment created more than 15 acres of public recreational space along the water's edge, including the five-block space that became Smothers Park. Future developments for the area include more hotels, commercial space and a bluegrass museum.

The English Park scenic overlook and boat ramp transformed an underutilized open space into a revitalized riverfront park, including natural limestone pavers, cladding, exposed aggregate concrete and pre-cast concrete columns. The 12-acre site combines native plant materials, local stone and craftsmanship, custom detailing, and contemporary site furnishings. Large terraced lawn areas and serpentine seat walls allow picnic-style seating in an informal atmosphere, and a???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+turnaround and drop-off area allows passengers to view the river. The adjoining pavilion provides picturesque views.

Smothers Park
Smothers Park is Owensboro's latest open space on the Ohio River, the latest result of more than a decade of development along the riverfront. The park spans five city blocks, connecting the RiverPark Center patio to the Mitch McConnell Plaza. The park includes a signature water fountain and plaza, an outdoor children's museum and playground, and a permanent home for the Shelton Memorial in Memorial Park, Owensboro's tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces.

The origins of the park date back to 2005, when designers began planning the federally funded river floodwall. Construction began in 2008, and took until 2010 due to the seasonal nature of building on the Ohio River. Installation of the park features took place when the wall and newly created land were finished.

As the biggest section of the project, the design process for Smothers Park began in 2005, when the need for a structural wall was identified to reclaim land from an eroded riverbank. Construction began in 2008, and was limited by the seasonal changes of the Ohio River, which only allowed for building during certain times each year.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+Sheet piling – a technique that forms a deep foundation by driving thin interlocking sheets of steel into the earth to create a continuous barrier – created circular openings that were filled in with rock and covered in cement to provide sufficient land to complete the installation. The layout and grading of the park were especially complex, Kissinger said, because "the park was being designed on land that didn't exist."

Features
The fountain plaza, a signature space that has become the "face' of Smothers Park, defines the connection between the riverwalk and downtown. The rooster tail design pays homage to boat races of the past, with nearly 100 water jets and an iconic water feature that reaches up to 45 feet. ???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+The fountain includes programmable lighting and runs year-round, weather permitting. The jets are programmed with two different "shows," which rotate every half-hour on the hour.

The trees in the play area were inspired by an Owensboro landmark, a 100-foot tall sassafras tree believed to be more than 250 years old and the tallest of its kind in the world. After holding workshops with local elementary school children to brainstorm the park's layout, the EDSA team chose the trees as a vertical element that met accessibility guidelines.

The Lazy Dayz Outdoor Museum and Children's Playground includes a state-of-the-art playground and an interactive splash pad. The play equipment allows children and families of all sizes, shapes and abilities to enjoy the entire park, as everything is ramped and ADA compliant.

"We knew that the river was not going to be the only draw for the riverfront, and that we needed to create a destination for families," Kissinger said. "Thus the idea of an outdoor children's museum and playground was born."

The "barrier free" design was inspired by a consensus-building workshop held with elementary school children, leading to the creation of one of the longest fully accessible playgrounds in the country. Selecting the playground structures, provided by Miracle Recreation, "pretty much [required] the whole catalog," Kissinger said.

Components of the project include street end overlooks, event pavilions and plazas, restroom/concession buildings, signage, and a +/- 20-foot promenade at the river's edge that allows continuous access to view the Ohio River.

The custom tree structures, which connect the play equipment via elevated, net-enclosed bridges, were inspired by an Owensboro treasure – the world's largest sassafras tree, which is over 100 feet tall and a circumference of 21 feet. The champion sassafras, estimated to be 250 to 300 years old, was threatened by the widening of a highway in 1957. As the story goes, landowner Grace Rash was waiting for the bulldozers with her shotgun, which she used to hold off developers until a call from the governor spared the tree and initiated construction of a retaining wall to protect the landmark.

"We were inspired to create something that entire families could enjoy – an outdoor, active, and interactive play experience that provided opportunities to learn about the environment found along a river. Seeing children in wheelchairs having fun in the interactive spray fountains and navigating throughout the ramped playground was priceless," Kissinger said.

EDSA began planning the riverfront redevelopment for the city in 2001, connecting the area to Owensboro's downtown district nearby. Other phases of the project included an outdoor entertainment venue, a new riverwalk, and the relocation of a boat ramp. The park's grand opening coincided with the Owensboro Air Show in August 2012.

The Memorial Park houses a memorial dedicated to Charles E. Shelton, an Air Force officer shot down and presumed captured during the Vietnam War. Shelton's fate remains unknown to this day, and he was classified as a prisoner of war until 1994, the last official U.S. POW from the Vietnam War until the Air Force reclassified Shelton as killed in action upon the request of his children. The Veterans of Foreign Wars are also honored at the site.

"The community considers the Shelton Memorial hallowed ground," said Kissinger. "We paid homage to this memorial and created a more passive environment for the residents and guests to enjoy. The open space, adjacent to the RiverPark Center, also provides opportunities for other cultural events or art shows within this area."

Other components of the park improvement include street end overlooks, events pavilions and plazas, restroom/concession buildings, signage, and +/- 20' promenade at the river's edge that allows continuous access to view the Ohio River.

Before photo of Veterans Boulevard and Smothers Park, pre-2001.

Grand Opening
Smothers Park opened at the end of August 2012 to local excitement and fanfare, as crowds took in the Owensboro Air Show from the park's new riverfront views. City mayor Ron Payne, the third mayor to hold office in Owensboro since the project began, expects the positive influence and galvanizing effect the redevelopment had on the town will spread throughout the metropolitan community, and into western Kentucky. "It is our hope that we have provided a mecca not only for our residents, but for regional visitors to come and enjoy one of nature's gifts," said Payne.

As the planners and landscape architects, EDSA defined, created and implemented the vision for an active riverfront, with nearly $70 million in improvements, from the federally financed river floodwall to the locally funded Smothers Park.

The fountain plaza includes the signature fountain in the center, two "rooster tail wing" fountains reminiscent of propeller blades, and a cascading stair-step water feature that falls toward the Ohio River. The plaza is 19,625 square feet of regional limestone and flagstone hardscaping with concrete banding.

The park has a host of street and sidewalk design features that provide for a variety of public gathering spaces for programmed activities, and will invite more foot traffic to the cafes, bars, leisure activities and businesses that are expected to thrive in the Owensboro's downtown district, which is a short walk from the riverfront.

Many of the downtown merchants are experiencing growth, and city officials hope that the ripple effect continues throughout the community. "On any given afternoon, the park is vibrant with laughter and chatter about how awesome the amenities are," said Mayor Payne.

The center and "rooster tail" fountains, just outside the Lazy Dayz Outdoor Children's Museum and Playground, includes more than 100 jets and pushes water up to 45 feet in the air.

The Owensboro Riverfront Redevelopment has received state and national recognition, including the Kentucky League of Cities' Enterprise Cities Award. The redevelopment was also featured in The New York Times for its award-winning design and redevelopment.

The city's commitment to redevelopment and the focus on the riverfront has led to more than $1 billion in new development, including hospitals and hotels. Unemployment is below the national average, property values are increasing, the city had a surplus in their 2010-2011 general fund, and businesses including another new hotel, restaurants, urban housing and apartments are moving downtown, making the redevelopment a winning proposition for the Owensboro area.

PLANT PALETTE
Trees:
Acer Rubrum "October Glory'
Cercis Canadensis
Cornus Kousa
Cornus Florida
Cercidiphyllum Japonicum
Fraxinus Aericana "Autumn Purple'
Ulmus Parvifolia "Allee'
Sassafras Albidium
Syringa Reticulata "Ivory Silk'
Magnolia Virginiana

Plants:
Cornus sericea – Red Twig Dogwood
Fothergilla gardenia – Dwarf Fothergilla
Hydrangea quercifolia "Pee Wee' – Oakleaf Hydrangea
Rosa aciculans "Flower Carpet Red' – Groundcover Rose
Prunus laurocerasus – English Laurel
llex x meserveae "Centennial' – Centennial Holly Pyramidal
Calamagrostis x acutiflora "Karl Foerster' – Feather Reed Grass
Spartina pectinata "Aureomarginata' – Variegated Cord Grass
Astilbe japonica "Montgomery' – Montgomery False Spiraea
Hosta x "Regal Splendor' – Plantain Lily
Rudbeckia fulgida sullivatii "Goldstrum' – Black-eyed Susan
Festuca arundinacea – Tall Fescue
Cotoneaster horizontalis – Rock Cotoneaster
Hedera helix – English Ivy

Perspective rendering of Smothers Park.

VENDOR LIST
Belden Brick Company
WET Design
Miracle Recreation
SESCO Lighting
The Weber Group
Cost of Wisconsin

Plantings that include Red Twig dogwood, feather reed grass and English laurel were all selected and placed to blend the natural landscape with the "naturalistic" elements of the play area, including the tree structures and artificial turf.

PROJECT TEAM
River Park Center
• EDSA
• PDR Engineers
• Irrigation Design Service, Inc.

Mitch McConnell Riverwalk
• EDSA
• Tetra Tech
• Irrigation Design Service, Inc.
• Sky Studios

Boat Ramp
• EDSA
• Tetra Tech
• Sky Studios
• Sweeney and Associates

Smothers Park
• EDSA
• Tetra Tech
• Sky Studios
• Sweeney and Associates