Livingston Park Cultural Panels Columbus, Ohio

Services Provided

Park Design
Interpretive Graphics
Construction Documentation

People Involved

Rick Espe
Eric Lucas
Brett Weidl

Awards

2013 APA Ohio Planning Award for Focused Built Project
2012 Ohio Chapter ASLA Merit Award
2012 Indiana ASLA Merit Award

Custom illuminated panels celebrate a neighborhood's unique history.

Livingston Park is the emotional heart of Columbus' Near Southside neighborhood. Adjacent to Nationwide Children's Hospital, considerable investment has been made in the area with the expansion of the hospital campus and significant upgrades to the surrounding city streets and freeway system. Amidst the change and concern over the impacts of development, the City of Columbus considered both the challenges and opportunities for the City's oldest park to reinforce the community's unique history and sense of place.

In collaboration with Columbus Recreation and Parks department staff, MKSK led an extensive public process to engage the neighborhood in the development of a Master Plan for the park. Community input yielded a plan for the future of this important historic open space that reinforces the park's role in the community. MKSK also led the consultant team through the community, city, and state process to define the Master Plan and Cultural Improvements.

The centerpiece of the park is defined by a dramatic shade structure reminiscent of the historic trolley sheds and a new plaza. 

Within the plaza and visible from Livingston Avenue, cultural/interpretive panels internally illuminated with LED lighting weave an intricate story of the neighborhood through photographs, biographies, and anecdotes.

MKSK worked with a fabricator to develop the custom light panels and benches. These and other park improvements have helped to bring new life to the park while reinforcing the neighborhood's identity and preserving its history for future generations of residents.