Design
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Master Plan
The Master Plan showcases the site as a whole and where each space is located. The existing site is pretty much the same except for the addition of basketball courts, the Learning Playground, dogpark relocation with addition of a skatepark in its place, and open landscapes for recreation. On the south side of the site there is the relocation of the softball fields next to the current baseball fields, to create a more cohesive space. A project goal in this area was to conserve most of the natural ecosystem and biodiversity and to achieve this goal, the design decision was to design around most of the natural sonoran landscapes. In trying to create a rich space for cultural integrity, the spaces in this area were created for traditional Tohono O’odham use. Spaces for cultural ceremonies, stories, places for harvesting, and recreation. The Master Plan showcases how all these spaces fix a broken park.
Perspectives
Summer
The summer perspective depicts various harvesting rituals done by the three main harvesting plants used by the Tohono O’odham. Prickly pear fruit harvesting, saguaro fruit harvesting, and mesquite bean harvesting is done during this time of the year.
Fall
The fall perspective depicts how the park would be used during this time. Skating, walking around, and being outside in general is much nicer to do in the fall, due to the heat dying down.
Winter
The winter perspective depicts how the Cultural Learning Circle would be used during this time. During the winter, it’s a resting period not just for anyone, but especially many tribes around the US. Stories, powwows, and many other activities are done during this time of the year.
Spring
The spring perspective depicts how the site would be used for recreational purposes. The spring is a ripe time for sports to be played, because the temperature is getting warmer and there are a lot of spring sports that the park offers.
Model
The model depicts the Cultural Learning Circle on the south side of the site. In this area its in the center of the natural creosote landscape acting as both a gathering space and a major intersection. The space allows for many tribes in Tucson to utilize this space for the traditional activities and other cultural activities (i.e. powwows, games, winter stories). The circle is open and flat so its a great spectating spot. On the outer edges is a long circular ramada for a shady retreat from the sun. On the outer edges of the ramada is a planting zone, rich with dense sonoran plants. On the opposite side is a parking lot and a service path for rides and could be used by pedestrians when not in use.