Hemming Plaza vs NYC's Bryant Park: A Tale of Two Parks

[Metro Jacksonville]

Hemming Plaza vs NYC's Bryant Park: A Tale of Two Parks



What Jacksonville’s Hemming Plaza Can Learn from the Historic Restoration of New York’s Bryant Park by Metro Jacksonville contributor Ken Bowen.



Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-oct-hemming-plaza-vs-nycs-bryant-park-a-tale-of-two-parks

[Wacca Pilatka]

Great job, Ken.

[CityLife]

Wow. Really thoughtfully written and thoroughly researched piece. Great job Ken.

[finehoe]

I have concerns that the unshaded central lawn would be inhospitable in our sub-tropical sun most of the year.

[johnnyliar]

Amazing post! I really hope that central lawn becomes a reality. What's the timeline on something like this actually happening? With the Sweet Pete's compound opening soon, and work on the Trio starting, how long before Hemming is ready to go along with those?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Damn you, Ken.  I was planning about 5 minutes to skim through another MJ article and 30 minutes later..... 

Great job. 

[TheCat]

This was greet. Thank you so much.

[RattlerGator]

Come on, finehoe: "inhospitable in our sub-tropical sun most of the year" It somehow became *the* central meeting spot with that same sun. I don't think that will be an issue.

Really outstanding job, Ken. I'm genuinely excited by the clear potential of Hemming Park. It sure would be nice, too, if the Confederate Statue could be joined by statues honoring the Union *and* those of the USCT so that we have a modern, respectful remembrance of the Civil War in our central square honoring all who fought.

[tufsu1]

very impressive....well done Ken!

[I-10east]

I wish that I could say I'm wild about the final rendering. It look too unshaded (like finehoe said) and ultra-simplistic. Let me preface by saying obviously the current Hemming needs some kind of revitalization/makeover; IMO the current Hemming Plaza is like an 'old park with some charm' shaded but needs more grass, while the rendering screams "new plopped down bare park with no character outside of the impressive sign". I'm aware of the flexibility that Hemming could have, I'm just not feeling the transformation though. Just an opinion from a regular guy. 

[Rocshaboc]

I hope this happens sooner than later. Flat out awesome!

[finehoe]

It somehow became *the* central meeting spot with that same sun.

It "somehow" did this with tree cover:

[I-10east]

Greenery-wise, I'm not sure if we ever could get that 'scaled down' version of Bryant Park, a park that's MUCH larger than Hemming Plaza. Notice the nice buffer of trees that surrounds Bryant Park, which is non-existent with the new renderings of Hemming. I get that everyone wants the old 'village green' feel with flexibility; I'm cool with that, but I have concerns with the lack of foliage in the renderings.

[RattlerGator]

I guess you missed "Lyndon Johnson Speaks at Hemming Park" and all those people standing out in what appears to be the midday sun.

I'll never understand Floridians writing as if we're dealing with Great Britain.

The sun? The sun !?! Are you kidding !?!

All of those trees added over the years are part of the problem, you know.

[finehoe]

All of those trees added over the years are part of the problem, you know.

I beg to differ.