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Brian Kent was hired and a meeting of
community members was held to share ideas on the design and planning of
the
park. The panel included resident artists, international sculptors,
Hygienic board members, musicians, master landscapers, theater professionals,
construction managers, and downtown property owners. The resulting site plans
can be viewed at the Hygienic Art Galleries.
With full support from the City of New London, Hygienic
Art received planning and zoning approvals and
raised $384,500 and to start the construction phase.
Generous grants from The State of Connecticut D.E.P.,the
Frank Palmer Fund, The Day Publishing Co., Citizens
Bank, N.L. City Center District,
AT&T Corp., Raymond and Helen Langfield, D.N.L.A., Mr. Toby Griffis, Mr. David
and Muriel Hinkle supported this project through its design and construction
phases.
The park will be open to the public during the day
and during gallery hours. It is available for use
in collaboration with other nonprofit arts and
academic organizations for performances and educational presentations. The O'Neill
Theater Center, The Garde Art Center, the Secret Theater and the Eastern
Connecticut Symphony have expressed interest in the project. An
outdoor film series is planned to be projected on the side of the Hygienic building
on summer evenings. The park is also available to rent for private events. Fees
from this usage will be used to defer the costs
of maintenance, insurance, and utilities.
Site Plan Description
The Forecourt: This is a recessed area between the
sidewalk and the front gates and will include a
streetside gathering area, decorative concrete
paving with a mosaic design imbedded within and wrought iron tree fences. The
three front gates are a custom decorative metal design separated by stone
pillars with decorative metal inserts in the recessed paneling. Up lighting is
embedded in the pavers, to highlight the columns
and the ornamental tree
fencing.
The Mural Plaza: This area is paved with decorative
stone, granite, and ceramic tiles, and surrounded
on three sides by a 2 ft. seating wall which retains
the growing medium for the plantings of low shrubs
and flowering plants.
Concealed up-lighting is incorporated into
this area to highlight the mural wall, sculpture and relecting pool . Shielded
light fixtures provide general lighting to the plaza. A water feature
is located on the Southwest side of the plaza. It consists of an 8x8
ft. pool in which an originally designed bronze fountain sculpture will be
erected. There are 6 ft. double metal gates adjoining the lot at 99 Bank Street
to
the northwest of the fountain. The perimeter fence surrounding this area is an
8 ft. high decorative metal fence atop a 6 inch masonry wall which will retain
the
growing medium in the garden.
The Bosque: This is a shaded area emulating a floating
hedge. It consists of a grove of mature linden
trees pruned into a rectangular shape, with the
lower branches all starting at a height of 8 ft. for passage to the theater
area.The trees will be pruned to the height of the mural wall (approx. 30 ft).
The ground surface of this area is a porous, pea stone material.
There is a 6 ft. decorative metal gate on the Northeast side of this area
serving as an entrance to the Hygienic Galleries and existing gardens.
The Outdoor Theater and Stage House: This area
consists of a grass lawn, contained on either side
by a low, concrete serpentine-shaped seating wall,
level with the stage. The ends of the
seating walls, adjacent to the
Bosque, form bases for two pylons and stage lighting trusses. The stage, with
its Greek revival architectural design elements, is made of concrete with
9
x 10 ft. (approx. 23 ft. tall) frame constructed buildings on either side to
act
as storage areas, stage wings, and supports for concealed overhead stage
lighting trusses and performance balcony. A 25 X 40 ft. structural wall is constructed
behind the stage to complete the enclosure of the theater area.
The
side boundaries of this area facing the Bulkeley House garden and Garden of
Hygienia will consist of 6 ft. metal decorative fencing and tall narrow evergreen
shrubs. Service access to the theater is reached from Golden Street and/or the
parking area directly behind the stage.
Seating Capacity: The amphitheater lawn is designed
to accommodate up to 75 persons seated on portable
chairs in rows. The lawn capacity, if all
persons are seated on the grass on blankets, is approximately 50. The Bosque
is designed to accommodate approximately 32 persons
seated at portable chairs and
tables. Additional seating may be available on and behind the low retaining
wall that surrounds the lawn. The total maximum seating capacity of the
amphitheater and Bosque is anticipated at approximately 120.
The Mural Plaza provides permanent seating on
the planter walls and portable seating on the plaza
for various events. Up to 85 persons could be seated
on portable chairs in rows (e.g., for film viewing) and up to 95 persons
seated at portable chairs and tables.
Accessibility: The entire garden will be handicap accessible.
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