Carr-Richardson Park is a 3-acre park located in a historic neighborhood, Maryville-Ashleyville. The town of Maryville, chartered in 1886, was the first town established by its African-American residents after the Civil War. The residents are community-proud and are outspoken in local government meetings, pushing for amenities in and around West Ashley to benefit all.

The property on which this park is constructed is no exception to this activism. In the 1980’s, the plot of land on which the park stands looked far different. Used as an illegal dumping site, loads of concrete, brick, and other masonry were discarded, expanding the area’s footprint and creating a causeway into the Ashley River. This went unnoticed by the local government until neighbors started to speak out. The city finally investigated and put an end to this practice. With the usefulness of the property ending, the owner put the property up for sale. The community lobbied to turn this eyesore into something that could be an asset for the surrounding neighborhoods.

This grassroots effort has turned that dumping ground into a popular new neighborhood park for an underserved community. The neighborhood provided their vision for the park through extensive design charettes, and the program evolved from simple park pavilions to a community gathering space, providing a civic center on the banks of the river.

The building is sited to maintain a view along the structure and into to the marsh from Bender Street. The building strengthens that view corridor, aligning itself on axis and creating the visual edge. The structure is nestled in between existing live oaks and sycamores, preserving the natural shading of those grand trees. Circulation to the buildings program is along this visual edge to create a sense of connection between site and building. The entrance lifts visitors above the ground plane, rising above the floodplain and opening views over the top of the marsh vegetation of the river and the city.

The building masses lighten toward the riverbank. The solid mass transitions to transparent, then to openness the closer you get to the water. The deep porch allows for playful shadows from the pergola in the early morning, then provides shade and protection as it transitions into the afternoon.

The architectural palette is simple and easily maintainable for the client. Utilizing a standard cementitious board and batten siding, durable garapa decking, and clear coated southern yellow pine structure, the building aesthetic pulls from the neighborhood in which it resides. A large, welcoming porch defines the primary path of circulation, reminiscent of the deep piazzas of the local single house typology. The program is divided into smaller blocks, breaking down the scale of the building to feel more residential, while providing easy access to the surrounding park through stairs and ramps.