THE TURNING POINT PROJECT RENOVATING AND CELEBRATING TOWN POINT PARK
Every great city has a great park! Town Point Park, nestled between the Elizabeth River and Norfolk’s downtown, has been at the heart of Norfolk’s cultural and economic ascent over the past quarter-century. The more than seven acres of grassy, tree –dotted open space is an institution among locals and visitors who go there to relax, take in the river views, and enjoy quality time with friends and family members. The park also serves as an incomparable location for festivals and performances, city celebrations and ceremonies, drawing a larger audience each year than any other Norfolk venue!
Town Point Park has proven itself over years through increasing attendance, and visitor satisfaction is now at an all time high. The park has positioned itself as a public space for every occasion, a place to commune with nature or immerse in culture right in the bustling downtown. Its reputation reaches beyond Norfolk; the park currently draws 75% of its visitors from outside the city.
Now 25 years old and never renovated, the park is showing its age in its infrastructure and design. Planned improvements to this landmark will keep pace with surging attendance and today’s environment, and provide an important investment in the quality of life in this region.
Open 365 days a year, Town Point Park is host to more than 95 city celebrations and festivals, concerts and tall ship visits each year. The hugely popular events attract more than 400,000 people to Norfolk’s beautiful waterfront annually, who in turn, generate more than $27 million in visitor spending. Visitor experiences are rated high—averaging 4.7 on a 5-point satisfaction scale, and a full 87 percent of attendees in 2007 were return visitors.
The park has served the community well, taking part in an unprecedented boom in downtown Norfolk with considerable economic and social impact.
The Turning Point Park Project will lead the community’s efforts to continue this tradition of success and excellence, and to ensure Town Point Park’s long and healthy future.
THE PROJECT
The City, Norfolk Festevents and city stakeholders developed goals for improving Town Point Park without losing the unique elements that make the space so successful. Most importantly, the park will retain its dual identity as downtown’s preeminent recreational park and a major regional performance and event venue. The changes to the park will enhance the area’s ability to fulfill both of its roles and do so seamlessly.
As a park, Town Point will be welcoming, especially in non-event times. The park will feature clear and open sight lines, ample lighting and full access to the waterfront. It will support a wide range of recreational uses from new water features and an interactive fountain, to jogging and biking, to boating, to relaxing with friends and family in newly landscaped park settings.
As an event venue, the park will allow for easy set-up, operation and security. The park will have ample yet discreet hard surfaces for stage footprints, vehicle traffic and vendors. The park’s landscaping will define a variety of venues of differing sizes and shapes to accommodate a range of performances. Finally, access to the park during events will be well regulated without restricting passersby.
As a waterfront park, the design will maintain access to water for boaters, harbor cruise and water taxi passengers, and a clear water view from any park location.
Foremost in the plan is to maintain the multi-purpose flexibility of the space, the feeling of openness and unimpeded enjoyment of this precious resource of the city of Norfolk.
Key design elements include:
- New layout
- New trees and landscaping
- New sidewalks, pathways and paving
- New lighting
- New seating
- New Band Shell location and backstage support facilities
- New restrooms and vendor support facilities
- New ornamental fencing system along Waterside Drive
- New fountains and water features
