Norris Park, 2005
Norris Park is located at 17th and Kilbourn Streets, in the Near West district of Milwaukee. Beginning in January 2006, the City of Milwaukee DCD asked CDS to create a greenspace design for the asphalt park that would garner the support and public consensus necessary to revitalize Norris Park. The greenspace created would serve residents of the community and also the recreational needs of nearby Marquette University’s rugby and ultimate frisbee teams.
Basing their designs on a preliminary plan by Zimmerman architects previously approved by the City, CDS prepared two schemes for the redesign of Norris Park, which were presented at a public meeting held at Marquette University in April 2006. A strong turn-out of community members, Marquette students, police officers, and aldermen listened to the presentation and then filled out opinion surveys on the schemes. The surveys indicated that a design which combined elements of the two schemes would have the public support necessary for implementation. The final scheme is comprised of a large, well-lit grass playing field, a renovated shelter, a new band shelter and stage, a new basketball court, pedestrian lighting, a butterfly garden, and a children’s clay tile mural installation
