Taylor Farm Park New Albany, Ohio
Role
Landscape Architecture / Planning
People Involved
Jeffrey Pongonis, Matthew Kellogg, John Petrushka, Cullen Meves, Katie Kelleher, Rachael Harkelroad, Ryan Atkinson
Typology
Public Park, Wetland Mitigation Bank, Master Plan
Project Timeline
2021 - 2024
Collaborators
Columbus Architectural Studio, EMH&T, E.P. Ferris & Associates, Prater Engineering Associates, City of New Albany
Transforming a riparian corridor and floodplain into a natural area park for the community
Taylor Farm Park Phase 1 is 102 acres of reclaimed floodplain, serving as both public open space and wetland mitigation bank. The park is positioned within the floodplain of the Rocky Fork Creek and is built upon an initial phase which provided a significant restoration of forested wetlands. Restoration of upland meadows intertwines the existing riparian edge of the Rocky Fork and newly established forested wetlands with pockets of upland forest, establishing a web-like ecosystem.
The park provides many opportunities for the community to enjoy the space including diverse aviary habitats and an aviary observation pavilion, along with two miles of walking trails and a wetland boardwalk which provide key connections to the regional bikeway system and adjacent neighborhoods.
“Taylor Farm Park demonstrates how ecological infrastructure can also serve as a meaningful public amenity. Its wetlands, meadows, woodlands, trails, and gathering spaces are doing important work by managing water, restoring habitat, and strengthening resilience, while also creating a place people can experience and enjoy every day. More broadly, it reflects how we should think about the open space network of a city. These landscapes are not simply the spaces between buildings. They are part of the working infrastructure of the city, and when designed well, that environmental performance becomes an integral part of the public realm.”
- Jeffrey Pongonis, FASLA, Principal, Landscape Architect, Practice Leader, MKSK
Phase two brings to life the historic homestead which was established in 1842 by the Taylor Family. The reimagination of the homestead has 88 new community garden plots, including 12 raised beds for ADA accessibility. The community garden also features many historic hidden gems, like the original wrought iron fencing that was re-purposed to border parts of the garden along with the garden shed and public restroom building which are reminiscent of the historic chicken coop that once existed on the site.
The sandstone paving and black locust wood garden beds were sourced from native materials. Near the entrance of the garden sits a large community table for friends and family to gather or community gardeners to sort through their harvest.
A comprehensive master planning process was undertaken over a one-year period in conjunction with the Environmental Engineering team. Construction began in 2022. Phase one of Taylor Farm Park opened to the public in the fall of 2023. Phase Two opened in the summer of 2024.
