Park Planning
In 2018, the Fred Carl, Jr. Small Town Center met with Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee and representatives of Laurel Main Street and Neel-Schaffer to discuss potential design projects in downtown Laurel. The group selected an underutilized park on the corner of West 5th Street and Magnolia Street across from the U.S. Post Office.
Funded by the Chisolm Foundation, the STC prepared a design for the renovation of the corner park, including streetscape improvements that provide ADA accessibility as well as improved bike and pedestrian access. Renamed “Radio Park,” the corner lot will celebrate the history of WAML, the radio station that once occupied the building directly to the east of the lot.
The design features outdoor seating and a simple concept that reveals the shape of a vinyl record when viewed from above. Improved site lighting will illuminate the park at night making it a safe place for visitors. Additionally, shade trees will provide relief from the elements for patrons enjoying refreshments from neighboring establishments.
Scheduled to begin construction in 2019, Laurel’s Radio Park will be an asset to the downtown business district for many years to come.
Laurel Downtown Wayfinding
As their downtown grows and changes, the city of Laurel has discovered the need for an attractive, yet, adaptable wayfinding solution. The STC provided Laurel with a custom-designed wayfinding package for their downtown, as well as a plan for where each sign typology should be placed to maximize the effectiveness of the signs. With this comprehensive wayfinding design, Laurel can now move forward with installing its custom signage.
