Does anyone know if the Centennial triangle was one of Olmsted's original triangle greens? Is it on the plans?
Riverside Info » About Riverside
Centennial Industrial Site (aka "Park")
(36 posts)-
Posted Friday Sep 14, 2007 10:05 #
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I don't believe that area is detailed on the "General Plan of Riverside" that is attributed to Olmsted, Vaux & Co. That whole area bordered by the river on the west, Burlington tracks on the south, Longcommon/Woodside on the east and Park Place on the north is just a big white space on the plan, IIRC.
Oh - here it is:
Related:
http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic.php?id=94&page=3&replies=88#post-3788Posted Friday Sep 14, 2007 11:05 # -
You can actually see the little triangle in there with what might be the water tower in it...
Posted Friday Sep 14, 2007 11:06 # -
I think if you look closely you will see that triangle is there, up to East Ave, and a similar triangle of lots on the SW side of Woodside. I think Lonnie knows all about this and how the blank area came to be incorporated. It was not part of the park plan. You can see eht lines that are edge of Forest, East and kimbark on that plan. There used to be gas works site down near Harlem and Lionel, I believe, or Blackhawk, and there was a coal and lumber yard on the south side of the tracks back where the Swim Ckub parking lot was, with one or two rail spurs, and there were even people who lived in boxcars back there.
Posted Friday Sep 14, 2007 17:04 # -
Thank you. This is what I am wondering: the triangles and their greenness is part of the protected plan. Although that triangle was zoned industrial in the past, I think that in 1972 it might be logical to say it came under preservation protection. Yes, some reservoir was removed, good; it does not follow you may replace it with something else. I don't know why this triangle is in the CBD when the VC was cut out. I find the ordinance unclear as to whether plantings were intended or allowed only by the river, or in the triangles. In any event, it is clear that the color is overall green, with no plantings to call attention to themselves by their vividity or otherwise, nor to appear manmade. In saying all this, I realize I am standing in front of the speeding train of the implementation of the plan. I just hope the LAC is obeyed, and that they follow these rules.
In this connection, is the triangle at Forest inside the CBD? The CBD is exempted from these rules.
10-2-7: RIVERSIDE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURAL DISTRICT:
The board, pursuant to resolution adopted March 20, 1972, has accepted the national historic landmark designation of the Riverside landscape architectural district and shall preserve, so far as practicable, and to the best of its ability, the historical integrity of this landmark through continued use of the public property therein for purposes and in a manner consistent with its historical character, and through the application, control, conduct and carrying out of all preservation activities, programs and grants involving, affecting or otherwise pertaining to the public property in this District and in the Village as a whole.
The district is legally described in the National Register of Historic Places as an area bounded on the north by 26th Street, on the east by Harlem Avenue, on the south by Ogden Avenue and the south bank of the Des Plaines River, and on the west by Forbes Road. The district boundaries, as outlined on a 1982 Riverside street map published by the Riverside Public Library, is set forth in Appendix B, Section 10-2-16 of this Chapter. (Ord. 1971, 12-2-1991)
10-2-11: THE PARK AND PARKWAY PLANTINGS:
The original natural prairie and forested area which became the Village contained a combination of plant species representing two (2) ecosystems: the river flood plain wetland forest community and the upland prairie and oak-hickory forest community. The landscape planting concept of Frederick Law Olmsted and the landscape architectural firm of Olmsted, Vaux and Company was to enhance and emphasize these existing natural forest features by plantings in a pastoral design to enhance the beauty of the public commons, parks, pocket or triangular parks, parkways and adjoining railroad landscape, and, in limited areas, plantings in a picturesque design along the river bank. The primary objective of this planting concept was to retain the natural beauty and green appearance of the landscape and produce a feeling of relaxation and an atmosphere of sylvan tranquility to those coming into contact with the same, without showing evidence of man's role in such planting. The interspersing of public landscaped spaces was part of the General Plan of Riverside; the commons, the public lands along the river, the extensive use of planted triangular islands and the irregular and expansive parkways along the roadway system provided a sylvan and peaceful environment throughout the Village. The overall scene, undisturbed by distractions, was to show the grandeur of nature and enrich the individual with its splendor. Such scene was not to be disturbed by the focus on or display of individual plants or plantings. Green was to be its summer color, uninterrupted by other hues that would demand attention upon themselves. The landscape was to provide a setting of peacefulness, relaxation and contemplativeness; a setting conducive to a rich and lasting domestic environment.
To achieve and maintain this pastoral design, a spatial composition of compatible species of trees of varying heights shall be planted and maintained in irregularly arranged, asymmetrical groupings interspersed among open and broad spaces of greensward to provide a break in the open space having uneven and indistinct boundaries, to provide shade, to provide windbreaks, and to provide beauty while creating a sense of the peacefulness of nature which soothes and restores the spirit.
In the use of the picturesque design, a limited degree of planting of a more densely massed area with a wilder and more rugged appearance shall be used for enhancement along the river bank.
To retain this natural and relaxed atmosphere of greenery, distracting elements such as plantings having vivid colors or of an exotic nature, flower beds, stone and wood-chip beds, roadways and structures such as benches, playground equipment, retaining walls, water fountains, fences and signage must be avoided or exceedingly minimized and so installed and arranged as to be inconspicuous, employing harmonious natural materials and dark brown, green or other colors suitable to the surroundings; provided, however, that planting such flowers as are approved by the Landscape Advisory Commission shall be permitted in the Central Business District of the Village.
Posted Saturday Sep 15, 2007 10:25 # -
Sad to say, as the map clearly shows, the great parks intened by O&V were never realized. The Swan Pond and Big Ball Park are puny by comparison to the areas that were planned to be the majr parks and greenspaces - where Maplewood secrion is now, and across the river where the Zoo Woods FPD and the Zoo itself are now. If that plan had been realized in its entirety there would be no First Ave. cutting through and the Village would have been roughly twice as big in populaion. If the lots had all been at 100' widths or more instead of being chopped up, if the Board had not allowed the destruction of the babson House and the subdivision of that 23 acres, if the same Board had protected the integrity of the Coonley property... well it goes on and on. The important thing is what we have left, whetehr from O&V or from the WPA, and that we shpuld keep it and protect it, not clutter it up with the same garbage you can find anywhere else, everywhere else.
Posted Saturday Sep 15, 2007 18:32 #
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