PEARL BAKER PARK - Soft Opening
I adopted the Pearl Baker Park project in the fall of 2021 as an incoming Americorps employee for the non-profit organization Epicenter in Green River, Utah. As a part of my term, I helped design and envision the various sections of the Park alongside landscape designer Joe Bondi (who had previously worked with Community Rebuilds in Moab, UT). These designed sections include concept designs for a shaded picnic area, a playscape made of natural materials, and various landscaped berms with local rock features. The park was to be an important and long-lasting feature in the rural town of Green River, but it was particularly challenging because of the formidable desert climate which would often bring horrific wind and constant destructive UV rays. While Joe devised a plan for a native and drought resistant greenery, I imagined how to create a playground made entirely of what we had to our disposal on-site. A small crew —including myself and Bondi —worked over the summer months of 2022 in heat sometimes exceeding 100° to complete the landscaping work on the project. With the help of many local and visiting collaborators, Pearl Baker Park became a functioning space for the community of Green River. For more information on the park, visit the Epicenter page that discusses the opening.
Natural playscape from south view, created using remaining Cottonwood stumps and local quarry stone.
Natural playscape with view of sandpit.
Concept design for natural playscape, with reference to a slide component and planted features along the rock wall face.
Concept design for shaded picnic area, important to note that the structure should able to survive high desert winds and constant sun.
Shade structure in place (with many thanks to Will Kershner and the Epicenter team.)
Many thanks to help of the NCCC members who moved rocks for weeks on end.