Pathways ParkProject Title: Pathways Park Driven by a community group called the Eli’s Park Project, Pathways Park aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. The park's development was inspired by Eli and his mother Paige, who envisioned a better park to equally serve people of all ages and abilities. The design process involved extensive community engagement, incorporating diverse perspectives to ensure the park meets the needs of those typically underserved, who often feel unwelcome in the built environment. Pathways Park is anchored by two encircling paths that offer options for easy circulation and engagement with the place and each other. The wider, flat path provides comfort, while the intersecting path introduces challenges and textures with accessible play pockets. These pockets, designed for those in mobility assistive devices, offer new experiences and lead to various areas within the park. Art is incorporated throughout the site, with remembrance and recognition given to project donors and contributors in the Roots of Recognition artwork. Artists created a sculptural steel and glass frog, and waterlily titled “Beneath the Surface” at the southeast entry. Another piece incorporates cor-ten steel columns connected like two cans on a string, represents different ways animals use snags (dead, but standing trees) and facilitates connection between friends and chance conversations between strangers. Pathways Park exemplifies inclusive design, going beyond accessibility to create a welcoming environment. The project strengthens community ties and maximizes the park's ability to serve, reflecting the importance of a dedicated, patient strategy in the design process. Inclusivity is central, not only in the final design but also in the way the design process fosters community building, adding to the local social fabric and ensuring the community feels reflected in the park |