7.0. PRSR 10-08-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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and planners decided on a park-like stage for performing arts. setting with a pond, expansive lawns, A sculpture of a whale's tale splash- walkways and spaces that encourage ing out of the water appears to glide - public use. But designers took the gracefully through the lake, and concept a step further and created an another representing community uni- outdoor space that epitomizes Love- ty stands in the main plaza. A sculp- land and its arts heritage. ture of a child reading a book stands r - Organized around a small lake that outside the library, and next to the ` yam highlights design features, the space lake a couple is locked in embrace. .z , t r �f • includes a fountain at one end of the Construction materials for the new • ,} • • lake, a pleasing visual display for peo- buildings were selected carefully: tan T n 2 f{_ ple walking or sitting.When the foun- sandstone mined from local quarries tain is turned off, the platform and building brick that complements r - l. through which it emerges becomes a its color. 1 Stephens Park is designed to connect natural areas and developed portions of the park in a seamless landscape. Rock and wood are used extensively throughout the park to blend with the natural environment. • Structures match the historical fea- tures of the original city building,with a bronze color used on benches, rail- ings,signs and light poles. Each February, Loveland, which bills itself as "The Sweetheart City," issues a unique postal stamp designed annually for sending special Valen- tines. In recognition of this, a logo of hearts was created and placed on benches, pavers and walkways throughout the park. "Athletic associations want the fields. The other element is for open space and natural areas," Havener says."We try to incorporate the active and the passive whenever we can. There's a place for both.But you can't put it in every one." America's parks should tell the sto- ry of communities and all the people who use them. That means city and county planners and officials must make decisions to balance the opin- . ions of constituency groups and the variety of uses desired. • - In Fort Collins, for example, the • local soccer association ultimately bought 100 acres of farm land several • miles to the east of the original park site, and the sports facility will sit next to the interstate highway. Par- ents plan to fund the athletic complex • with grants and registration fees and user fees. Jana McKenzie is senior associate at EDAW,Inc.,Fort Collins,Colo. • AMERICAN CITY&COUNTY