The downtown Civic Space Park is expected to open April 16 with a dedication ceremony given by Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Vice President of the Downtown campus Debra Friedman and other leaders in the community, according to two city officials.
Gerardo Higginson, senior assistant to the mayor, confirmed that as of now the Civic Space dedication is on Mayor Gordon’s schedule of events and he is expected to speak from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Public Information Officer for the Parks and Recreation Department David Urbinato said that the Civic Space will include a variety of features, such as plenty of green space, trees that will eventually shade 70 percent of the park, six chess boards, interactive water and light features, a landmark public art piece and a historic building that is being renovated to be used as retail space.
The location is unique because it bridges ASU with downtown in a design called an urban weave, where accessibility is available for pedestrians only, Urbinato said. The Civic Space is designed to pull the community’s business, student and residential communities together into one key area.
The park also incorporates an environmentally friendly goal into its overall design. There are shade structures that have solar panels on top of them to generate all the power needed for the park’s electrical needs, Urbinato said. Also, the concrete in the park is pervious, meaning that water can seep through it allowing for more rainfall to be available to the plants and vegetation.
“It’s definitely built with being sustainable in mind,” Urbinato said. “It’s such an important space that is incorporating those features. All the water features will use recycled water so they will minimize the use of water and still allow kids a little chance to cool off and play around in these shooting water features.”
To continue the celebration of the opening of the Civic Space, a concert will be held in the park on April 17 starting at 6 p.m. as a part of Phoenix’s Third Friday Art Walk, according to ASU Community Engagement Liaison Malissa Geer.
It will be an opportunity for the downtown community “to enjoy music, enjoy the park and enjoy each other,” Geer said.
Contact the reporters at slsnyder@asu.edu and salvador.rodriguez@asu.edu
