PEA Group’s design team was tasked with creating a welcoming and accessible pedestrian and community experience. Visitors approaching the community center pass through a thoughtfully designed plaza featuring benches and seasonal blooming perennials, enhancing the sense of arrival.
South of the community center, the outdoor plaza was designed as a flexible space that accommodates multiple activities simultaneously, including concerts, movie screenings, farmers’ and flea markets, fairs, and other community events. A crushed stone surface beneath a diverse canopy of trees provides accessible, shaded areas that frame the plaza. This design enhances both formal and informal gatherings while seamlessly transitioning to the adjacent open lawn area.
A key component of the project involved significant site work, including the removal of several thousand cubic yards of earth. Instead of hauling the excess soil off-site, it was redistributed across park areas south of the building. The removed topsoil was processed and reused, reducing costs and eliminating trucking-related issues. This strategic approach also led to the creation of a small “concert hill” behind the Outdoor Plaza, further enhancing the park’s usability.
To support these improvements, we incorporated convenient, barrier-free parking that provides easy access to the main entrance, the outdoor plaza, and the open green space to the south. These elements work together to create a vibrant, functional, and inclusive community space that encourages engagement and accessibility for all visitors.