West Shore Park

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West Shore Park

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As part of an urban design plan for the Inner Harbor area, Thomas Balsley Associates prepared an open space master plan that included a series of new green parks, promenades, and plazas. The City and Baltimore Development Corp. then selected Thomas Balsley Associates as the lead designer for the first phase of implementation, a new civic green space along the promenade, called West Shore Park. It will serve as the City’s “front lawn” on which a variety of exhibits, concerts, movies, performances, festivals, celebrations can occur along the waterfront and where the city’s residents, workers and visitors can fi nd shared ground for simple relaxation.Strategically positioned between the new Visitor Center and the Science Center, the park will act throughout the day as a major tourist destination and gathering space. The large, level, and open lawn is intended as a fl exible space that can serve many purposes. It is fl anked by a shaded garden and café area with food kiosks to the north and a cafe plaza by the visitors center in which a dramatic interactive spray fountain will be visible from the new promenade and Light Street. A large sculptural pavilion will provide shade and shelter for performances. The park is level and at grade with adjacent streets to maximize sight lines. The park’s harbor edges provide dramatic overlooks, ramps, and seating steps that encourage activity between the promenade and the park. Shaded perimeter paths with benches and lush planting areas provide shelter seating from which to view the main park activities and harbor beyond.