BAIPP Arts and Culture Walk

PROJECT TYPE: Park Artwalk Competition Proposal

LOCATION: Bastrop, Texas

SERVICES PROVIDED: Concept Design

SIZE: 22 acres

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

Overall Concept

The concept weaves together cultural and natural history of the Bastrop community by creating spaces that celebrate the people, geology, plants, and ecosystems of the region. The integrated spaces are built from local natural materials. Each space celebrates an aspect of the Bastrop community.

Celebrate People: Heritage Post Site Marker, 14 Total

The site markers, shown on the schematic plan as orange rectangles, are four-sided wood posts made from reclaimed Pine beams. Each side of the beam has carved text relevant to the languages, people, and history of the four prominent cultural groups that have lived in the Bastrop area. The four cultural groups are Native Americans, Mexicans, Africans, and Anglo Settlers. Each of these different peoples have a distinct culture to be represented each on one side of the Pine beam. Examples of text for the heritage posts might include poetry, stories, place-names, famous people, and significant dates. Together, each four-sided Pine beam represents a facet of the cultural and ethnic history of the region. The Heritage Post Site Markers are located at identified “gateways” throughout the Walk. The first posts flank either side of the walkway into the park and the additional posts mark sequenced spaces along the walk.

Celebrate Ecosystems: Texas Hill Country Wildflower Meadow and Texas Mesquite Savanna Boardwalk

The existing wildflower meadow is enhanced with seeded and transplanted native wildflowers and grasses including Sunflower Goldeneye, Velvetleaf Senna, Little Bluestem, Pink Evening Primrose, Rain Lily, Zexmenia, White Mistflower, Hill Country Penstemon, Four-nerve Daisy, and Winecup. These flowers and grasses are native to the region and create a colorful textured canvas for integrating additional permanent public artworks and sculptures within the park.

The Boardwalk is a subtly elevated wooden deck walk four feet wide that arcs through a planting of Texas Mesquite trees and Little Bluestem grasses. It is meant to be a discovery walk adjacent to the main path of the park that allows visitors to experience a slice of the Mesquite Savanna ecosystem.

Celebrate Geology and History: Limestone Plaza with Curved Seating

Using locally sourced limestone, a plaza with a curved seat wall is integrated into the path between existing mature trees. The plaza stones and stone seating area are designed to integrate various types of limestone rock relevant to different periods in Texas geologic history. The stones have embedded text about the geology endemic to the Edwards Plateau, the Lost Pines, and the formation of Limestone rock related to the prehistoric conditions of Texas.

Celebrate Plants: Loblolly Pine Grove Planting

As an homage to the special stand of “Lost Pines”, the loblolly pine grove is a loose grid of Pinus taeda trees planted in a drift from the limestone plaza and continuing north to the Wildflower Meadow. The pines should be planted from seedlings by volunteers as a way to teach the public about reforestation and forest management practices.

Celebrate People: Terraced Amphitheater

The amphitheater is a gathering space for watching movies, spoken-word performances, and contemporary plays. The terraced space is graded into the existing land to form a half-circle that joins the existing park pathway. Near the main path and parking area, the amphitheater is positioned to host lively arts events that celebrate today’s arts and cultural programs.