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 exposure and views of the large central lawn, which is designed for sports activities.