This summer the Town of Erie, Design Concepts, and our collaborators, contributors and park-goers celebrated the grand opening of the third and final phase of Erie Community Park (ECP). 12-acres of new amenities were added to this community park including a multi-directional pump track, a new 32’ tall net climber, two full-sized basketball courts with adjustable hoops, outdoor reading rooms with formal and informal trails throughout the plant select and pollinator gardens, and a sledding hill that boasts the highest point of the park.
CELEBRATING THE FINAL PHASE
The highly attended grand opening celebration spoke to the spirit of the community and ECP’s ability to provide a central gathering space for all ages. The event included such festivities as scavenger hunt bingo, bootcamp fitness activities, community leader speeches, interactive mural painting, raffle prizes, food trucks, and a pump track bike demonstration.
The occasion opened with biodegradable confetti shot through the air with gusto.
Visitors watched as wheels of all kinds cruised through the momentum powered pump track, observing the rules of etiquette outlined on the Revolution Pump Track entry signage.
A local Erie muralist was commissioned to provide artwork at one of the Park’s reading rooms. During the grand opening event the public had a chance to contribute to mural and make their mark!
EXPLORING 40-ACRES OF FUN
Design Concepts began working with the Town on the first phase of the park in 2008 and, through a series of public meetings, was successful in getting a master plan approved by the Board of Trustees in February 2009. Since that time a civic green, playgrounds, a 4-plex baseball complex, multi-use field, four tennis courts, a prairie discovery nature trail, parking, and multiple linkages to the Town’s many walking paths have been incorporated into the park along with the 12-acres of amenities included in the third phase.
The final and recently completed third phase of the project focused on a balance of passive and active recreation. The Park’s active recreation draws include a 22’ tall sledding hill complete with snow gun for winter activities, fitness challenge stairs, basketball courts, a ½ mile running loop, a boot camp fitness area (partnered with Erie’s Recreation Center to hopefully one day provide outdoor fitness classes), and a large central playground.
The most popular and actively used element of the park is the long-awaited Revolution Pump Track. This area includes a beginner and intermediate/advanced routes, wall rides, bike repair and pump stations, spectator areas, a large shade shelter, and way finding/rules/directional signage.
The playground design was inspired by sustainable energy sources and features 5 unique “play-pods”. The tallest and largest play piece is a 32’ tall net climber and the ground plane beneath is meant to mimic the Earth and serves as our anchor for the playground. To the south is our “sun”. This pod represents solar energy. On the other side of the Earth is the “bio-Mass” energy pod, featuring vertical climbers for all ages. Directly to the north is our “wind energy” pod. We chose a play apparatus that evoked the feel of a wind turbine. Hydro-power is up next and this area features a rope climbing course over a river of poured-in-place. The final area is the Geo-thermal energy pod. Here we have our “hot-springs” along with a lava boulder play area to cap off the playground. Each area features signage etched into massive boulders and features artwork to identify the energy resource.
The Park also features a variety of passive programing elements for the visitor looking to relax. Passive amenities include The Peak shelter lookout, many hardscape and softscape trail options, and an opportunity for park-goers to stroll through the Plant-Select and Pollinator gardens. The site also features 2 community “reading rooms”. These areas can be used in conjunction with summer youth and library programs. They can even serve as an adult’s WFH/get-out-of-the-house office or coffee break in the park, because the site features free active WiFi.
This park has truly been a labor of love for our design team throughout the years and we are so thrilled to have the third and final phase bring it to life! Our design team, Shanen Weber, Melanie Ames, and Aynslee Havenridge, would like to thank the Town of Erie for the collaboration and the ability to dream big!
