Photo Credit: Lisa Cherry
In 2012, the city of Alpharetta, Ga., embarked on a journey that will transform the city for generations. The wealthy suburb of Atlanta, with an estimated population of around 65,000, had long been a popular destination for young families moving out of the Atlanta area and also a growing technology business sector. But like many suburban communities, it lacked a true identity and a place where the community could connect. Mayor David Belle Isle, city council, David M. Schwarz Architects, and Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart and Associates (SRSS) set out on a master planning effort to change the image of the city and create a “place” for everyone to call home.
The city has always prided itself on being a “Tree City,” as recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation, and felt it was important that the new city center incorporate a substantial amount of green space as part of its new identity. SRSS was tasked with designing and developing a 5-acre city park, a 1-acre town square, a pocket park between the new city hall and new county library, and a tree-lined streetscape to connect the new downtown to neighboring sites.
Community Involvement
As many public-facility managers are aware, designing a park with the community's involvement can be a difficult task. This project was no exception. Many residents were very concerned about the preservation of existing trees and their incorporation into the city center and park design. SRSS took its standard approach of transparency to help alleviate those concerns. A detailed inventory of the existing trees was taken, a review of their overall health by a certified arborist was administered, and several city council meetings were held to communicate this information to the community and to review design implications. By involving the community at this stage, we were able to demonstrate our thought process, listen to the community’s concerns, and develop a mutual trust moving forward.