The Cleveland Flats Connections Plan: Connecting a Missing Link
Zhao Zichen   Mar 10.2020
CMG landscape architecture creates an open space and trail network in Cleveland,with the goal of use the unique historical situation of the area to realize the rejuvenation of the riverbank area, while connecting the riverbank with the whole area.

Introduction

“The extremely thorough and coherent Flats Connections Plan creates an open space and trail network in Cleveland that leverages the unique conditions of its historically industrial neighborhood to revitalize the riverfront and build connections to surrounding communities. The plan functions at a multiplicity of urban scales, and draws on underutilized and vacant sites to invigorate the riverfront, improve sustainability, and allow access to park space for previously isolated communities. The plan transforms slag heaps, rail infrastructure, and challenging topography into a dynamic public realm rooted in equity, connectivity, and resilience.”
– 2019 Awards Jury

Reason to Be Selected

The Cleveland Flats Connections Plan helps strengthen the connection between the riverfront and the surrounding communities, by creating an open space and trail network which aims to provides much-needed open space within the Flats neighborhood.

Highlights:

Rich cultural and industrial history

Ecological management

Equal accessibility

Details

The establishment of a ship transportation channel on the Kaihoga River separated the Flats block from the river bank and formed barriers between communities. In the late 20th century, industrial facilities gradually moved away from the Flats block, and the original industrial land and nearby railway area were abandoned. The city of Cleveland tried to build a recreational corridor using the connection path on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, but Flats block is one of the "broken zones".
The design goal of the Flats block is to be unified with the river bank, and from the center of Cleveland as the starting point, the area will eventually connect with Lake Erie along the Kehoga River. The Cleveland Flats Connections Plan is a an open space and trail network in Cleveland,  including revitalize the riverfront, complemented by building connections to surrounding communities. The plan focused on the analysis, participation and conceptual design of the three parts of Lianhu Trail, Irishtown Bend and Wendy Park.
The design team transformed the abandoned Cleveland and Mahoning Valley Railways to have a unique industrial landscape, and leverages the critical geotechnical conditions to create a new urban waterfront park, with stepped lawns, waterfront boardwalks and "floating classrooms", maritime theater, providing open space and recreational opportunities to the adjacent under-served neighborhood.

Conclusions

The Cleveland Flats Connections Plan completed by the design team in collaboration with neighbors, local organizations, and city officials to use the unique status of the community to realize the renaissance of the riparian zone, connecting the riparian bank with the surrounding communities and the entire region, promoting local ecological management, improving water quality Achieve equal accessibility.

 

FULL STORY:

https://www.gooood.cn/2019-asla-analysis-and-planning-award-of-honor-the-cleveland-flats-connections-plan-connecting-a-missing-link-by-cmg-landscape-architecture.htm

https://www.asla.org/2019awards/638311-Yellowhorn_Farm_Park_Battling_The_Threat.html



Lat: 41.5002
Lng: 81.695
Type:
Region: NorthAmerica
Scale: District
Field: Landscape
City: Cleveland