Urban open space is a valuable and coveted item of urban infrastructure.  New Orleans is a town that lacks large amounts of green space and what little green space exists is not connected in any logical sense or clearly defined system.  The riverfront of the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods has entered a post-industrial era, stimulating redevelopment.  Crescent Park was designed by Hargreaves and Associates, and is planned for the area just south of the levee wall adjacent to the Mississippi River on what was once a continuous compound of shipping wharves.  Several vacant parcels of land are located on the north side of the levee wall adjacent to Crescent Park that should be considered for additional green space opportunities. Site One is located at the intersection of North Peter Street and Elysian Fields Avenue.  The long strip of land runs east, parallel to N. St. Peter.  This site was re-named N. Peter Park.  Site one also includes a large vacant block located just east of the strip on N. Peter St and was referred to as Mandeville Square.  A narrow strip of land connects these two parcels. A detailed map study was conducted of Site One identifying circulation, topography, hydrology, surfaces, vegetation, building typologies, and building program/use.  The map study and onsite observation were utilized to create an analysis diagram that illustrated the dynamics of this site.  A thorough analysis of the site brought forth several important factors that would drive the design. This site is essentially three different opportunities that are loosely connected.  N. Peter Park and Mandeville Square are two parcels that are appropriate for intensive redevelopment while the strip of land connecting these properties has the sole purpose of connecting Mandeville Square with N. Peter Park that are disjointed due to the compression created by the levee wall to the south and the decreased building setback to the north. N. Peter Park serves as a gateway to Crescent Park as well as Mandeville Square. When looking at N. Peter Park on a larger scale it is in an appropriate location to serve as a hub to direct users into the various green spaces located within close proximity of the site. Following analysis site development occurred through several program and design iterations.  Careful attention was taken in defining program in these spaces in context to the surrounding green spaces.  Balancing park infrastructure on a municipal scale affords variety to the complex network of user groups including residents and visitors alike.  The active nature of the Crescent Park design and the passive nature of Washington Square Park located three blocks north on Elysian Fields Ave. were a foundation for the development of program within N. Peter Park and Mandeville Square. N. Peter Park This now vacant site contains a proposed bridge structure that leads users into Crescent Park, serving as a gateway for this riverfront green space.  The design of this site is intended to be “passively active.”  There is no defined sport, but rather the creation of the activity of leisure to draw users into the hub.  Musicians performing to small cluster of spectators on the terraced lawn, children playing in the cascading canopy fountains, and locals enjoying a book and a snack on the café tables in the entry plaza would hone in on the senses of potential users and magnetically attracting them to the site.  Once committed the user has the option to enjoy the attributes of this site or journey further into crescent park or head towards Mandeville Square.  The footbridge to Crescent Park provides reveals the offerings of both spaces.  When the viewer reaches the peak of the bridge, he or she is rewarded with this information and has the option to continue on the footbridge into an active Crescent Park, complete with basketball courts and band shell or descend the stairs and journey towards a passive Mandeville Square. Mandeville Square The three goals of the Mandeville Square design are: to create interest through topographic forms, to reverse the current hydrologic process by retaining runoff while incorporating this into the design, and to create a space that is highly utilized and valued by the local residents based on previous projects and observations.  To satisfy the first goal the ground plane was raised and warped into a faceted lawn.  The shifted ground plane provides dramatic over the levee wall of the Mississippi River, Crescent Park, and downtown New Orleans.  A central wetland provides ample room to retain storm water from the park as well as adjacent properties.  A large dog park provides local dog owners with a safe and comfortable environment to exercise their canine friends.  A sculpture garden was designed for local artists and artisans to have a space within the neighborhood to display their work.  The remaining spaces of the park are left largely undefined while the basic infrastructure is provided.  The blank canvas of this space allows this incredibly artist and creative neighborhood the opportunity to build their own park.  They establish and re-establish a desired program and use upon each and every visit.  It becomes their park.  This creates an incredibly dynamic space that is only limited by the imagination.

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