When Three Rivers Park District purchased the Salvation Army Silver Lake Camp in 2001, an exciting process began of determining the role of Silver Lake in the metropolitan park and open space system plan. Silver Lake, whose Salvation Army operation dates back to 1921, is comprised of 22 building structures on a 120-acre parcel in suburban Ramsey County. The rolling terrain, quality woodlands, water amenities, and open space in an urban environment provide an attractive setting for open space recreation. 

Renamed Silverwood, the camp is a “special recreational area” that focuses on individual artists, art groups, school groups, and the general public, who create and enjoy art inspired by nature within a natural resource-based environment. 

Three Rivers Park District has an established mission of environmental stewardship through “recreation and education in a natural resource-based park system.” 

As a result, the development of Silverwood harmonizes the site’s natural and cultural resources.

Assisted by SRF, the Park District developed a master plan that envisions diverse site and building facilities that will host fine arts, folk arts, spoken art, performed art and other forms of artistic expression. 

SRF led a multi-disciplinary team through development planning, a cultural resources assessment, and an evaluation of the buildings. As site planning and schematic design alternatives were prepared for landscape and building components, the team developed a truly unique environment. Bridges, trails, roads, pedestrian amenities, and parking were designed and implemented to complement, and not impact, nature. Landscaping, resource management, and plant restoration were also key to the site’s ultimate success. 

Awards

• 2010 MASLA Award of Excellence
• 2010 MRPA Award of Excellence
• 2009 Business Journal Best in Real Estate

Town Square Park is a three-acre civic park located adjacent to City Hall and will be a community gathering place for hosting special outdoor events and performances. Proposed amenities for the park include a performance pavilion and open lawn seating area, a splash fountain and garden area, a decorative paving flagpole plaza, irrigation and landscaping.

SRF worked with City staff, the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee and other special interest groups to develop the program and design elements for the park. A design charrette was also held with the community to gather ideas and input before proceeding with initial design concepts for the park. SRF also prepared detailed cost estimates, construction documents and specifications to implement the project.

Although the Louisiana Oaks Park site has functioned as a park for a number of years, the need for more active recreation opportunities in the city provided the impetus for development of a master plan for improvements to Oak Park Village and neighboring Walker, Oak Hill and Oregon Parks.

SRF developed a cohesive master plan for the sites that minimizes duplication of amenities. Challenges and opportunities in the development of the master plan include:

• Developing a creative park program that addresses City recreation needs, community desires for passive use and on-site contamination issues
• Facilitating community task force meetings and open houses to stimulate neighborhood participation in the planning process
• Suggesting innovative solutions to construction issues, given the extensive on-site contamination

SRF was subsequently retained by the City to develop construction drawings and provide in-construction services. Some of the challenges in the design phase include:

• Incorporating public art in elements such as the entry sign, play area and park building
• Site grading to minimize impacts to environmentally sensitive soils
• Coordinating with the environmental consultant, building architect, City staff and the contractor
• Coordinating watershed permitting
• Construction of new baseball field