West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
OLIN collaborates with Chen Moore Associates and a multi-disciplinary team of experts have developed a community-based, ecological vision for Currie Park, a key place of exchange between the city of West Palm Beach and its urban estuary on the shores of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Named Currie Park, the project has been awarded a 2023 American Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The master planning effort for the 13.6-acre site, led by the local community redevelopment agency and approved by the City in June 2021, reflects collaboration between the design team and multiple stakeholders, including members of the local community, City representatives, redevelopment agency leadership, and representatives from nearby schools and nonprofits.
The landscape architect and marine engineering consultant studied the evolution of the Lake Worth Lagoon from a freshwater lake to its current state as an urban estuary, developing a design that enhances the site’s ecological systems through the implementation of living shoreline strategies for a more resilient future.
Guided by numerous stakeholder meetings led by key members of the design team, the landscape architect studied the park’s relationship to the city and its surrounding neighborhoods and focused on creating a variety of new experiences informed by community discussions and input, which will further strengthen neighborhood use of the park and public access overall.
The master plan includes a public art plaza, tidal amphitheater, boundless nature playground, a multi-use events lawn, fitness areas, trails, plazas, native gardens, and piers.
The existing boat ramp, parking, and the newly renovated Martin Luther King Jr. memorial will be preserved in place.
The lead landscape architects are continuing to refine the detailed design of the park during construction documentation.
Project: Currie Park
Landscape Architects: OLIN and Chen Moore Associates
Partner in Charge of Design: Hallie Boyce and Cris Betancourt
Design Team: Hallie Boyce, Sarah Miller, Eve Ding, Rachel Freehling, Melita Schmeckpeper, and Jacqueline Schaeffer
Client: West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (DDA) and City of West Palm Beach
Photographers: OLIN and Chen Moore Associates
