Water Tower Park
Water Tower Park
CATEGORY: COMMUNITY SPACE, CIVIL DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
LOCATION: CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
A park built for the community
Tucked gracefully into a busy city streetscape, Water Tower Park offers a treasured green space in the middle of a bustling downtown. Named for its iconic 75’ water tower, currently part of a comprehensive underground water management system, the 18,500 square-foot park was built from grassroots efforts and planning.
CEG founder Rocky Chambers led a team of volunteers – from urban foresters to artists to families – in the start-to-finish design and construction of this park, which boasts beautiful and inventive landscaping, inviting park benches, native trees, playful architecture, like some of the most unique ping-pong and chess sets in the city, and a generous, open-air pavilion specifically designed by CEG.
The big challenge? Taking a flat parcel in the midst of prime downtown real estate and transforming it into an open park that’s aesthetically and practically pleasing. Solving this problem meant using inventive earthwork design: CEG engineers crafted a steep 5’ embankment that elevated one side of the park, allowing for the construction of the new pavilion and benches.
Then, a system of erosion-control matting was installed; a series of straw-plastic mesh mats were secured into the ground using stabilizing sod staples that hold the soil in place. Today, the celebrated park has become a gathering place for families, residents, downtown workers, students and teachers from adjacent Battle Academy.
CEG believes the park represents engineering for the common good. It’s a park built by and for the community.
Site location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
