In the heart of Providence, Rhode Island, you’ll find a vibrant neighborhood with a new park. Since the 1970s, this underutilized property was full of vacant buildings that were an eyesore for the community, leading the owners to redevelop the site. As plans got underway, the property owner, Cornish Associates, chose Landscape Creations of RI, based in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, to install this unique park. Their work led to a 2024 Gold Award of Excellence.
“While we typically focus on residential projects that foster family connections and harmony with nature, this award highlights our ability to bring that same passion and purpose to a public space,” says Ann Gardner, marketing consultant. “It’s deeply rewarding to see how our work contributes to the vibrancy and identity of an urban environment.”
The historic setting was the perfect site for a new park. But it also created some unique challenges. While the old buildings were removed in 2004, the debris from their foundations was still present under the ground. Removing these old remnants was the first step in getting the installation underway.
“Much of our effort involved extracting exposed rebar, sometimes up to two inches thick,” Gardner says. “Using an excavator, we first loosened and revealed the concrete footings to evaluate what needed to be cleared. As we continued, we exposed the old foundation walls to assess how much needed to be cut to accommodate the new construction.”
As the demolition finished, the team began prepping the site. These tasks ranged from excavating the parking lot to forming the subgrade for paving. The five-person crew from Landscape Creations spent six months working on the project with the subcontractors and design teams.
Another challenge was the central location of this park, which limited the space for parking and transporting materials. The site is also near several popular restaurants and pedestrian areas for college students.
“We added secure perimeter fencing, maintained clear egress routes, and installed prominent signage to guide pedestrians, especially around active restaurant hours and university foot traffic,” Gardner says.
Since the staging area was limited, each delivery was precisely timed to keep the one-way streets clear. With so many deliveries, extra room was needed to keep things organized.
“We utilized a nearby parking lot behind the site, also owned and leased by Cornish,” Gardner says. “We converted three spaces into a temporary laydown area. Despite its small size, these spots were instrumental in controlling material flow and staging work efficiently.”
For larger deliveries, like 18-wheelers, the crew needed at least two weeks’ notification. The extra time allowed Cornish to notify tenants and temporarily move their vehicles to a nearby property.
Many features were added to the 8,000 square foot parcel, which is divided into three sections. As visitors enter the park, they walk under arbors that resemble traditional Japanese torii gates. Next, they enter a cobblestone and brick courtyard, which is the perfect setting for intimate gatherings and visiting. Additionally, this space has a large, open area for community events. Overhead string lights were also installed to illuminate the space. Perennials and trees soften the edges of the courtyard, while cedar benches provide additional seating.
Pet owners can make use of a 1,700-square-foot dog park that runs adjacent to the courtyard.
Another focus of the project was sustainability. These efforts involved adding permeable surfaces and an underground pipe that is attached to the city drainage system to collect runoff.
Once the park was finished, the community made use of it right away.
“The park was celebrated by the Providence community with a lunchtime ribbon cutting that was attended by over 200 people, including the mayor, parks and recreation officials, and local business leaders,” Gardner says. “The most gratifying part is seeing how people use the space. On any given day, you’ll find someone stopping in for a coffee, meeting a friend, or walking their dog. The park has also become a hub for larger community events.”
Interested in participating in the Awards of Excellence? Enter your projects by July 31, 2025.
