My Thoughts On The Designs

May 8, 2014 by gduerson Leave a comment

Thoughts On The Designs, by Gavin Duerson

A few of us are going to post our recommendations that we passed on to Dreamland regarding the final design of the new park. We hope this will keep the conversation going, as this is our final chance to have input! Please note that that simply posting your ideas on Facebook or even in the comments here–while helpful in spreading your ideas to others–does nothing toward influencing the actual design if you do not send them to Dreamland at berryhilldream@gmail.com by 5pm on May 13!!!!

With that said, I would be stoked to see either of these parks in our backyard! Both would provide terrain to skate that is much needed here in Central Kentucky. If I had to pick one design I would go with B. However since were are being asked to share our thoughts about both concepts, here are the notes I submitted at the meeting Wednesday regarding what I would love to see included in the final design:

I like the three bowls in concept A—especially the amoeba design “pool.”
I prefer the street section in concept B—especially the inclusion of the various stair sets into the park around the bowls.
The snake run is epic. I believe this will truly be an element that will be unique not only to Kentucky but the entire region and it will become of signature feature that kids will love—even those that don’t know it yet because they never have had a chance to skate something like it. I like the idea of making the snake run “snake” out of the park into a green space.
A primary concern would be that there is adequate street/plaza area. I think 50% transition and 50% street/plaza would be good ratio. I think that we can make the street area larger while keeping the large transition area with increased funds. I think we should plan for that to happen! We have almost $600,000 right now (which is the approximate cost of these designs). I believe with monetary and gift in kind donations we should be able to have a bigger footprint.
I don’t think that blue concrete in the pool is essential for the bowl if the cost/benefit factor doesn’t make sense—Kentucky Blue tile would suffice and keep the trademark “blue bowl” idea that has been discussed in play.
Pool coping in the pool is a must
I like the idea of the 3’ mini ramp in the street area on design B. I believe that something small like that will be an important feature for those learning transition tricks. Could it be a bit wider?
I like the idea of incorporating skate-able rocks that was discussed.
I’m not real big on some sort of skate-able sculpture in the park that was discussed—I could take it or leave. It.
I like the brick area.
I like the idea of incorporating skate elements along the paths leading up to the park (benches, curbs, rocks, gaps, etc.)
Perhaps it is more costly? Perhaps it would prohibit the flow of the park? If not, I think seeing the actual footprint of the park be less confined to a rectangle would be ideal. The suggestion about the snake run would help toward that end, but perhaps rearranging the position of some elements to create a unique footprint could also be done?