Civic Space Park was given a 2011 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence last week for contributing to Phoenix’s urban community, a biannual national award earning the park $10,000 to be used for improvements.
Three judges came to Phoenix in February to evaluate the park and interview members of the community in order to understand the park’s impact on downtown Phoenix. Now, Civic Space Park has received a silver medal and recognition for its contribution to the city’s urban environment.
Most Phoenicians recognize Civic Space for its giant “jellyfish” net sculpture that hangs suspended above the park, a design element that the Rudy Bruner judges found to set it apart from other parks in urban metropolitan areas. “Her Secret is Patience,” a sculpture that cost more than $2 million, provides shade and, for some, added character to the park.
The sculpture’s artist, Janet Echelman, believes the award is proof that people are embracing the space and her sculpture.
“I think it’s fabulous that Civic Space Park is getting this national recognition,” she said. “The monetary component of the award is icing on the cake. The biggest part is being selected as one of the nation’s leading examples of design that creates urban transformation. I’m proud to be a part of a project that has created a place where residents can enjoy the natural beauty of their city.”
Dale Larsen, an ASU professor and former Parks and Recreation director for the city of Phoenix, agreed that this award nationally recognizes the park.
“The award is fabulous,” Larsen said. “It’s one of the only downtown oases recognized by the foundation. And it’s one of the best looking pieces of property in the downtown Phoenix area. All that money will go into the park.”
Larsen said all of the award money will go toward park improvements, adding that more work remains in order to incorporate the park within the community and ASU. He said that the park has been doing better and more students are using it, even during school breaks. However, he noted that more amenities need to be added to attract even more students.
“It’s still evolving,” Larsen said. “We need more music, more exhibits, more shade. It needs to be a place to go and relax.”
For many students, Civic Space is nothing more than a walk-through for students heading toward the adjacent YMCA or Central Station light-rail stop, Larsen said. He believes that the park needs to be an extension of the YMCA and the future student recreation center.
David Roderique, president of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, agreed that Civic Space isn’t enough of a destination spot for Downtown students. He said more events need to be held at the park to attract a steady flow of visitors. Currently, the partnership is working with the city to have a music festival held in the park, he said.
“You want people to go there because it’s a cool place to be,” Roderique said. “You go out there and sometimes it’s busy, other times it’s not.”
The Downtown Phoenix Partnership was involved in the beginning of the park’s creation and continues to take an active role by publicizing and holding events there, Roderique said. Green and open spaces are important to creating a vibrant downtown community, he said.
“Any good downtown has to have a strong gathering spot for the community,” he said. “This reward is recognition that this type of open park is something the community needs.”
Roderique said the award might spur more cities to create parks similar to Civic Space and that he hopes to see more parks built in the downtown area in the coming years.
“I think it will take on a more important role and serve as a place to be,” Roderique said. “(The award) is a nice recognition of the type of development we try to encourage. This is a very strong partnership with ASU and the city.”
Contact the reporter at dmillar@asu.edu
