New Haven Green

New Haven’s historic 17-acre green was created in 1638 as the city’s first public open space, but despite its location at the heart of the city, by the 1980’s it had fallen into serious disrepair. The Foundation for the New Haven Green was established to bring about the comprehensive improvement of the Green.

QRP developed a master plan for this historic park which targeted specific proposals for its restoration and recommended management and fund-raising strategies to implement the proposals. The design team worked closely with city, state and federal agencies, and led a public outreach program to build support for the plan.

The master plan prompted an outpouring of more than $4 million, and created an additional $1 million of permanent endowment funds to maintain the results. Utilizing a combination of public and private funds including an Urban Mass Transit Assistance Grant, QRP designed and implemented a comprehensive renovation plan. The entire project, including planning, funding and construction, was completed in just three years.

Improvements included redesigning the main bus transfer hub for New Haven’s surface transit system, narrowing Temple Street, which bisects the park, to provide bus waiting areas, and creating historically appropriate bus stop shelters and a ticket sales office. The renovation plan also included new walks and entry plazas, and an extensive replanting plan which restored the historic elm tree arcade at the park’s perimeter, as well as installation of new lawns and irrigation, and a new lighting system.

The firm supervised the complete phased implementation of the plan, and all the projects outlined in the firm’s plan have been completed, returning the Green to it’s place as the city’s civic center.

Location

New Haven, CT

Client

City of New Haven

Role

Prime Consultant