LeBauer Park
Unique community gathering place welcomes thousands and becomes heart of new cultural district
San Diego – November 9, 2016 – OJB Landscape Architecture, an award-winning national design firm, today announced attendance and programming details for its latest project, LeBauer Park, a new park in downtown Greensboro, N.C. Created by The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro through a bequest from the estate of Carolyn LeBauer, the park formally opened to the public in September.
Since its opening, the park has welcomed nearly 50,000 visitors. The park hosted 79 programs in its inaugural month including art classes, fitness classes, and various activities for children. LeBauer Park also served as the backdrop for several events including The National Folk Fest. Recurring community events such as Downtown Greensboro’s Cinema Under the Stars have experienced an average 2,000 movie enthusiasts per showing.
“Built in the heart of downtown, LeBauer Park offers a rich variety of exceptional spaces and activities for the community to connect and celebrate,” said OJB Principal Nathan Elliott. “The park is poised to become a must-see destination, attracting a diverse spectrum of locals and visitors. Visitors can enjoy educational opportunities, cultural events, and active programming in a comfortable garden setting.”
Situated on a 4.1-acre site adjacent to the forthcoming Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center, the park unites surrounding civic and arts institutions, creating a cultural campus. Anticipated to be a catalyst for growth, the park’s exceptional blend of amenities aims to attract residents and businesses to Greensboro’s burgeoning downtown. The park’s design features more than an acre of gardens planted with 350 trees and over 60 different species of plants including traditional Southern favorites as well as hardy native selections.
The central feature of the park is Price/Bryan Performance Place, a 17,000-SF concert lawn and performance pavilion designed to support a wide variety of community events. A permanent installation by renowned artist Janet Echelman frames the lawn and a realignment of Brenner Place creates dramatic views of the park from the west. Along the street, two grab-and-go kiosks operated by local restauranteurs anchor Market Square plaza.
Generous promenades and gravel courtyards provide ample gathering space around the lawn while a small plaza behind the stage offers casual seating that doubles as a green room during events. A small dog park beyond the stage includes comfortable benches, shade trees, and a dedicated viewing area for those without pets.
An interactive fountain at the VF Seasonal Plaza further activates N Davey St and functions as the informal gateway into a 15,000-SF children’s play area that includes family restrooms and a variety of interactive elements, including a climbing wall, topographic landforms, contemporary play equipment, a sand play area and a large hill with slides.
Named after the park’s benefactor, Carolyn’s Garden offers a quiet alternative to the bustle of the park and is planted with some of Mrs. LeBauer’s favorite plants. Located adjacent to the downtown library, a reading room plaza will include stands of books and periodicals, comfortable chairs, and space for artists’ talks and events.
The park features a daily roster of activities developed by Biederman Redevelopment Ventures of New York including music, fitness and arts activities that will enliven the space and leverage the city’s cultural assets.
To learn more about OJB Landscape Architecture and the firm’s design of LeBauer Park visit www.ojb.com.
About OJB
Founded in 1989, The Office of James Burnett began with a focus on creating landscapes that provide unique and unforgettable sensory experiences. OJB’s recent work has focused on the rejuvenation of American cities through the creation of distinctive public park spaces including ULI Urban Open Space Award-winning Klyde Warren Park in Dallas and Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City. Other notable projects include the artfully planted Sunnylands Center and Gardens in Rancho Mirage, CA and forthcoming urban park projects such as Levy Park in Houston and East Village Green in San Diego. Follow OJB on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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Media contact:
Adrianne Cruz
858-793-6970