Salem, MA

Crowley Cottrell led the community design process for the reinvention of Lafayette Park in Salem. Previously, the park was functioning as a large traffic island surrounded by busy roads, but it had potential to be an important symbolic gateway to downtown Salem.  

The process included an online survey with over 300 respondents, working group meetings and an open house style public forum, and revealed that this space, often shunned for its reputation for drug activity, is also valued as a green oasis in the city. Crowley Cottrell developed a design that rationalizes circulation, improves visibility and creates a setting that highlights memorials in a layout that leaves plenty of room for programming. This public engagement process resulted in a final plan for which the city was able to raise funds and begin construction.

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Recipient of a 2020 BSLA Merit Award.