Civitas Design for 60-Acre Black Bay Park on Spokane River Invites Community Engagement While Preserving Wild Appeal of "Secret Park"

DENVER, Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- When it comes to connecting with nature through an innovative public park, the small town of Post Falls, Idaho, has big aspirations. And indeed, Post Falls, situated between Coeur d'Alene and Spokane amid rolling Northwest countryside that's a favorite for outdoor adventures, has already moved beyond the dreaming phase, tapping Denver-based design firm Civitas to create a world-class nature-in-the-city experience in its 60-acre Black Bay Park. For years, Black Bay Park had been masquerading ? even to many Post Falls residents ? as a typical town park with tennis and basketball courts. But that traditional piece is only a tiny percentage of an extraordinary wildland resource right in the heart of town that's fiercely loved by those who are aware of it ? including Post Falls Parks Manager Bryan Myers, who grew up a few blocks away.

"This was my neighborhood park," says Myers, who was impressed with the Civitas team's respect for the land that allowed its unique characteristics to drive a design that invites community engagement and activation while preserving its wild appeal. Post Falls' first park, dedicated back in the '30s, Black Bay Park's topography had allowed it to hide in plain sight. Though just 10 minutes from City Hall, the park encompasses a 2,000-year-old rock formation, formed by ice floes and upheaval. The rugged granite outcroppings bordering the developed section on the park's east-side main entrance blocked views of the rocky forested acres ? and rugged Spokane riverfront ? beyond.

"It's a hidden gem that many locals didn't know about," says Civitas designer Jessica Doig. "To get into the site, you kind of bushwhack on rough narrow trails and animal paths through trees, shrubs and cool rock formations. The next thing you know, you pop out at river's edge with cliffs and beach. It's exciting to find that level of wilderness in town ? it's very much a 'secret park.'"

Faced with a site consisting of gneiss rock formations with plant life running mostly to lichen, moss and coniferous trees, and with very shallow soils, "We had to let the land tell us what to do," explains Civitas principal Scott Jordan. At the same time, Civitas followed its familiar process for deeply engaging community, listening to Post Falls' wish list and concerns. Protecting Black Bay Park's natural design features topped the list, along with creating distinct entrances and providing amenities ranging from the basic ? rest rooms and trash receptacles ? to overlook decks and play features. Also critical was taking full advantage of the Spokane River, enhancing access both to and from the water and opportunities for views.

"During Conceptual Design we always present several alternatives that range from the most conservative to the boldest, so we can find the point where there's some resistance or discomfort," explains Jordan. "With this community we never got there. We presented the boldest scheme and they loved it."

That bold scheme involves reconfiguring amenities in the park's already highly disturbed east side, including introducing rest rooms, play features and lawn space to provide the town with programming opportunities. And that revamped eastern entrance will provide clearer access to the wild acres beyond via an improved circulation system that follows topography and animal paths to create looping trail patterns that minimize disturbance while allowing users of all mobility levels to explore the park. The system will incorporate wide paved paths, expanded soft-surface trails and a series of meandering walks that invite discovery for the more adventurous. Sited within the naturalized area in the western half of the park, a variety of benches, rest nooks and seating areas ? including a "forest lounge" ? will provide views, opportunities for contemplation and a rich experience of nature without leaving town.

While many cities are transforming formerly industrial riverfronts, Black Bay Park provides a more natural canvas. The Civitas plan intentionally minimizes disturbance to large areas of the park while using a network of boardwalks and new floating community docks to activate the community's connection to the river. Extensive riverbank restoration will mitigate erosion, protecting and restoring the riparian ecosystem.

Crucial to making the Black Bay Park vision a reality was creating a plan that was achievable for the town. "Phasing the design so that if the city is only able to complete the first phase, they would have a park that achieves the goals of the project in a scaled-back form was critical," says Jordan. And it is that first phase that Civitas is currently designing, with phase one construction estimated for spring of 2021.

Parks Manager Myers looks forward to the enhancements of his favorite park. "Phase one begins the process of activating the river, creating that big dramatic start with the boardwalk, community docks and swimming area allowing people to experience the river in new ways," he says. "Then there's the circulation piece ? right now the forested part is kind of isolated ? and Civitas is planning informal seating where people can enjoy a 'forest bathing' experience and get a little respite off the beaten path."

"With our current work on Black Bay Park, we're able to use a lot of lessons learned from St. Patrick's Island Park," says Jordan, referencing Civitas' multi-award-winning revitalization of Calgary's 31-acre historic park on Canada's Bow River. "But this park is even bigger and wilder ? and comes with the bonus of introducing this community to an amazing resource and amenity right in town that many of them didn't even know they had."

About Civitas:
Founded in 1984 with the core purpose of "creating healthier cities" and celebrating its 35th anniversary, Denver-based Civitas, Inc. is an idea-based practice of urban designers, architects and landscape architects engaged in strategic planning for urban change and project design for built works. Recent honors include both the 2017 International Architecture Award and 2018 and 2019 American Architecture Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum/European Centre; the Canadian Institute of Planners "Great Public Space"; a 2017 IMCL Merit Award; and an Excellence on the Waterfront Award from the nonprofit Waterfront Center. A consultancy and a design studio, Civitas advises on a wide range of strategies for re-imagining urban life and places, working in U.S. cities coast to coast and around the world. For additional information visit civitasinc.com.

SOURCE Civitas