|
What is the Town Green?
The Town Green is a new urban park. The park provides a distinctive community gathering place with its main focus on the performing arts. The landmark feature of the park is the bandshell with a dramatic wing-like roof canopy located at the water's edge.
The three pavilions include a concession space, restrooms and a rentable meeting room for small gatherings or parties.
The Town Green hosts numerous summer time performances of music, dance, and theater programmed by the Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Department. Seating for 300 is incorporated into a classic terraced bowl shape with ample space beyond for visitors to spread out and enjoy the park. Check out the Sounds of Summer 2011 Performance Schedule.
The Town Green plaza along Main Street provides a relaxing setting for daily park activities. Another distinct feature of the park is the peninsula which will be a great spot to experience the lake or host a small event.
How was this project being funded?
City officials planned and saved for the Town Green for over ten years. The economic downturn proved to be an excellent time to seek bids on public projects. As a result, the city was able to secure very good bids from quality contractors thus maximizing public dollars.
How was the bandshell design developed?
City officials directed an extensive design development process that included the study of various concepts and architectural styles. Through multiple revisions the design molded to a subtle and simple form. The architectural theme of the bandshell canopy meeting the sky is meant to have multiple associations with nature: an abstract grove of trees, the delicate and curved maple seedpod, and clouds. The 105-foot wide white concrete canopy is supported on six narrow concrete columns and gently arcs toward the sky in an acoustically-formed shape. The concrete canopies of the three adjacent pavilions repeat this curved language casting lively shadows on the building walls. The walls of the buildings relate to the geology and quarry history of the site through the technique of creatively formed earthen colored concrete highlighted with local aggregate.
|