Crescent Park

Denver, Colorado

Client: Lowry Redevelopment Authority

The initial design concept for this 8-acre space was an object-centered lawn with a pavilion in the center and separate “chambers” to either side. To create a more active and engaging space, the design positions a large open lawn for recreational uses at the heart of the park and surrounds it with a variety of experiences. An open plaza on the west contrasts sharply with a high contemplative mound on the east, while a promenade separates the lawn from a series of intimate settings along the north edge. The western plaza features a playground and three pavilions for picnics, while the earthen mound is a naturalistic and contemplative setting, with decomposed granite trails and native vegetation around a cluster of boulders, with views of the park, the neighborhood and the distant Rocky Mountains. Stone seating tiers on the north offer optimal sun expo-sure and views of the large central lawn, which is designed for sports activities.