Here's to the Great that Awaits

In the early days of the pandemic, I came across these words, “In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” I put the quote up on a chalkboard in my home, and we spent a good deal of time reflecting on this idea as a family. I don’t know about you, but 2020 provided more personal growth opportunities than I was planning on!

Nearly one month into the new year, I am once again pondering this notion, now more as it relates to our work at Town Branch Park. The events of the pandemic and social unrest across our nation have forced us to take a more critical look at how we are doing things as a nation and as a community, as institutions and organizations, and even in our own homes. What is working and what should we leave behind?

It’s a big question - one that our organization will continue to ask as we work toward an inclusive, central park in downtown Lexington. How can we design, engage, plan, build, operate, and program better?  What is working in our public spaces? What is not? We began exploring these ideas as part of our original community survey and the Inclusion Report that followed, and we will continue to build on the recommendations contained therein as finalize plans for the park.

Despite the obvious challenges, 2020 was a year of milestones for Town Branch Park. Fundraising efforts nearly doubled, with $25 million raised to date and 80% of the total campaign goal achieved. In turn, we are able to begin 2021 by launching the final design and engineering phase.  Click here to see media coverage of our report to the community.

Thank you for your belief in the vision of Town Branch Park!

Here’s to the great that awaits - 

Allison Lankford
Executive Director

Town Branch Park Selects Design Team

Following a unanimous choice by the selection committee and the board of directors, Boston-based Sasaki will be the lead designer for Town Branch Park, supported by a team of local firms: EHI, Strand, and CARMAN, as well as Atlanta-based Rabun. Dean Builds will serve as the local construction manager, working alongside Sasaki during the design phase to evaluate costs and budget and will subsequently oversee construction.

Sasaki has led the design of civic open spaces across the country, including award-winning landscapes like Cincinnati’s Smale Riverfront Park, the Chicago Riverwalk, Boston City Hall Plaza, and Moore Square in Raleigh. Sasaki also has extensive experience working with nonprofits similar to Town Branch Park, which is a crucial factor in ensuring a successful design and implementation. With its expertise, Sasaki is best positioned to build off the foundational Town Branch Park master plan and concept design from SCAPE to craft a design that will serve all of Lexington.