As Overton Park Conservancy has worked with the community to envision the future of the park, we’ve already made some positive changes: the renovation of the Overton Park 9 golf course and clubhouse, the addition of a new trail in the Old Forest, and the installation of new sidewalks to improve accessibility along Poplar Avenue. But many more changes are on the way, and we’ve got a few things to run by you!
Now through early July, we’re asking for your feedback on two key sections of the park: the Rainbow Lake and East Parkway areas. As we develop improvement projects for the next few years, we want to make sure we invest in smart design decisions that make the park more accessible, welcoming, and exciting for our community. Our online survey will guide you through some of the proposals, along with examples of features from other parks that are similar to what we might implement here. It should take about 5 minutes to complete.
We invite you to take a few minutes to complete the survey! More details about the projects are below.
Rainbow Lake Area
Most of the big changes are centered around the Rainbow Lake area: the playground, pavilion, dog park, and lake. We know that a new, improved pavilion would serve as a hub for events like birthday parties and reunions, as well as the home base for the Conservancy’s educational programs. We know that the playground needs some reworking to reduce the impact of flooding on the equipment. Most of all, we know that Rainbow Lake could be so much more than it is. We envision a more natural lake, with the concrete bottom removed and a soft edge created and filled with aquatic plants that provide habitat for wildlife. We are proposing boardwalks that allow people many vantage points of the lake, the Greensward, and the forest. Because the Zoo has gifted the Conservancy with a parcel of land between the lake and the forest (an area that formerly hosted temporary exhibits), we have the opportunity to expand the lake’s footprint eastward.
One crucial step is deciding what we want in a new pavilion, and we’ve got two proposed concepts to show you. Concept A features a building that’s designed to feel light and transparent within the landscape. While it creates a defined edge along the lake, it’s carefully detailed to minimize its visual presence, allowing the landscape to remain the dominant feature of the park experience. Concept B features a sculptural form that enhances the arrival experience while blending with the lake and surrounding landscape. The lake informs the building’s shape, creating a fluid edge between architecture and nature. Take a look at each concept and tell us what you like or dislike about each. How might each of these designs affect the way you view or use the Rainbow Lake area?
We’d also like you to look at some examples of boardwalk trails and tell us which ones look best. Consider what would make the lake feel most accessible, functional, and interesting to you.
East Parkway Area
The East Parkway area features fewer big changes and more enhancements based on how this well-used space is working for people. For this area, we’re considering the pavilion, playground, and the open picnic areas that extend from the Bike Gate plaza to the north to the fire station to the south. We know that the historic pavilion–the oldest surviving structure in the park–needs both structural and aesthetic improvements. The demand for events at this location might suggest that a second pavilion should be considered–how do you feel about that idea? The playground hasn’t had a significant renovation in decades, so this is also a chance to reimagine that space. What sort of play features do you want to see?
