Ayres Associates was among those honored recently with two Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association (WPRA) design awards for recent Wisconsin projects – the revitalization of Calvin Moody Park in Milwaukee and the redevelopment of Bridge Road Park in Monona.

Calvin Moody Park

The goals of this project were to interject vitality and ownership back into this north side Milwaukee neighborhood, provide a safe and vibrant area for all ages to gather, and to honor Calvin C. Moody. The 4-acre park is in an area that has historically been home to industry and related working neighborhoods. A lack of park space in the Amani neighborhood has placed a great importance on this parcel as a family-friendly recreational hub.

Key program elements include a new year-round community center, large playing field, splashpad facility, basketball courts, exercise equipment, community garden, parking lot, and stormwater management features to reduce the burden on the city’s combined system.

The design of the park draws on neighborhood desires while also relating back to Calvin C. Moody, one of Milwaukee’s first black detectives. The bright colors and landforms warrant investigation and curiosity among its users, enhancing a sense of place and park use.

The project also won the 2016 Mayor’s Design Award from the City of Milwaukee and a 2016 MANDI Award from the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation. The team responsible for shaping the plan for the park included Milwaukee County Parks, the Community Action Coalition, and subconsultants Continuum Architects and Henneman Engineering.

Bridge Road Park

Bridge Road Park has served the community of Monona for several decades as a mini park and had grown tired and outdated. The park is on a high-traffic road and offers excellent visibility and access for community residents.

A vision for the redevelopment was created to introduce vibrant colors, multi-generational amenities, and improved site access. The project included replacement of the playground and designing site improvements and a path through the park.