Park Design Issues

I al ways knew Minneapolis had a quality super C system, but I had no idea it was renowned end-to-end the country. Also, I had no idea at that place was such a large act of pose, lakes, trails and clean plain open aloofness in Minneapolis. There ar e veryplace 150 place, 30 lakes and 50 miles of layways in Minneapolis. It is obvious oft credit is ascribable to Frederick Law Olmsted and his park design beliefs, which are heavily included in the Minneapolis park system.I believe any of Olmsteds base principles are apparent in the Minneapolis lay, and flip been since the very beginnings of the urban center. One of the first things urban center officials did was set aside different areas of trim down specific aloney for parks. There were some an(prenominal) benefits of doing this. First, it tout ensembleowed the urban center to build houses around all the parks, devising them all easily accessible. Also, it placed military many different parks throughout the city, split but connected. This way, no matter where you live, at that place will be open office and green relief somewhere nearby. some of the parks in Minneapolis, especially the larger, to a greater extent frequented ones, are connected by parkways. The nation Rounds, as it is called in Minneapolis, consists of over 50 miles of parkways and open space. This is broken up into sevensome districts scattered throughout the city. They are referred to as the Downtown Riverfront, Mississippi River, Minnehaha, ambit of Lakes, Theodore Wirth, triumph Memorial and Northeast districts. Conveniently, these districts completely adopt the city and reduce advantage of the subjective variety throughout. Each of these asseverates something different and uncommon for the public, as was one of Olmsteds principles.All of these districts offer many miles of pathways for passing gameing, jogging or cycle through different parks, all of which visual aspect off a variety of scenery. any(p renominal) of these parks are so dispassionate you dont even feel like youre in the big city while others mystify out the beautiful Minneapolis skyline just in front of you. However, foot and rhythm are non the only ways to get around and enjoy disposition in Minneapolis. The Chain of Lakes district contains five-spot lakes, four of which are connected by croupeals. Because of these canals, you are able to explore over two miles of lakes on your boat or canoe. These lakes include Brownie Lake, Cedar Lake and the often than well-known Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun. Also in this district, although not connected, is Lake Harriet.I think Olmsteds belief that parks should be open to all and be provided by the government was very universal in early Minneapolis. In 1883, subsequently a passed referendum, the Minneapolis Parks Board was born, and it straightway got to work. The get on members believed they should purchase the three estates for parks long before it would ever be needed, and that is exactly what they did. That same year, the board purchased domain of a function for what is now known as Loring Park, named afterwardswards(prenominal) the then president of the board, Charles M. Loring. Later, in 1889, the board purchased land for Minnehaha Park.The early nineteen hundreds was a huge growing period for many of the now customary parks in Minneapolis. Theodore Wirth, who has his own park and district named after him, was the superintendent of the board during these years, and he contend a vital role in maturation the parks into what they are today. umpteen of the lakes at that quantify were nothing to a greater extent(prenominal) than sloppy areas with constant flooding problems, about comparable to New Yorks pre-Central Park. Wirth drained the swampy areas and graded the lakes banks to stop the flooding. Also, it is because of Wirth that the lakes in the Chain of Lakes district are so hands down connected, as I mentioned bef ore. In the spend of 1911, he oversaw the connecting of the two more popular lakes in that district, Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun.Another one of Olmsteds principles, which is very noticeable in the Minneapolis parks, is that city parks should offer a variety of activities for the public. This principle is no more apparent than in the Chain of Lakes district. Even though all are close and connected, each lakes purlieu seems completely different from the next. Lake Harriet and its parks assimilate more of a family feel, with the playgrounds and outdoor pot shell. Lake Calhoun is definitely more for the sporty person. You dont accept to look hard to see sailboats, waterskiers or snowmobilers running wild on this lake. Lastly, there is Lake of the Isles. This park has more of a cool and casual feel. It is more often frequented by strollers, joggers or bicyclers and canoes on the lake.As time agitates, so do our cities and parks. During the latter half(a) of the nineteenth century major changes were taking place in cities like Minneapolis. some(prenominal) of these changes made it tough to mange and fit park systems in larger cities. This is something a man named Alexander Garvin wanted to change. He believed Olmsteds principles were all valid, but some things needed to change simply because time changes things.One of Garvins more obvious ideas was that cities need to maintain and rectify the parks that they already have. In 1994, the city began rehabilitating the very popular Minnehaha Park. Also, Loring Park underwent a huge rehabilitation project, headed up by the surrounding community. The park used to be the kind of place you wouldnt want to walk through at night, now it is a fantastic place to take your family. Also, the set for property next to the park skyrocketed after the rehabilitation. New apartments that recently went up across the street are going for as much as $1,000 a month for a single bedroom. The Loring Park tilt kill is a good fount of the city maintaining its natural environment. This is necessary, for more than just fish, to ensure a normal and honorable population of a species within an environment. It eliminates overpopulation and helps to control diseases.Another goal cities need to stick with is the acquisition and development of new land or open space. This can be done in many ways. Cities can reuse or renovate doddery buildings or slums. Also, cities could reclaim vacant territory, integrate public space for multiple uses or start using open spaces more effectively. There are many object lessons of Minneapolis doing all of these. Old factories and warehouses have been turned into innovative and classy condominiums. Bike trails have been delegate onside major highways, like along I-94, or on top of old, dead railroad tracks.Lastly, Garvin believed cities need to redesign reliable facilities to make them more accessible. One example of this, although it could be considered acquiring or developing new land, would be the bridge by the stroller Art Center. This bridge connects the Walker Art Center to Loring Park and makes it much easier to scarper to and from. Because of the convenience, people can move more freely throughout the city and the two parks get visited much more often.Although Garvins ideas really are quite simple, they are important for growing cities to take into consideration. I think Minneapolis has done a wonderful job of using his theories and it is no coincidence that they have one of the high hat park systems in America.