before 

The Urban Green is a dynamic public open space located at the center of the 32-acre Reno Experience District (RED), showcasing innovative design solutions with a strong sense of place. The park design is inspired by the natural forms and materials found in the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains and Truckee River, reinforcing the theme of ‘hiking through the city’. Containing bespoke design elements and a hierarchy of circulation paths, the park offers a variety of unique experiences as the social hub of this mixed-use community.

As the sustainable focal point around which the newly constructed elements of this modern urban district are arranged, the park features a sunken artificial turf lawn and adjacent gravel bioswale which capture substantial rainwater while saving over 145,000 gallons of water per year on irrigation.  A misting feature provides cooling relief for park users while saving 32,400 gallons of water per day. Overall, the project conserves 325,850 gallons of water per year over traditional park design.

Embodying the natural synergy of the project context, the park features local plant species and construction materials. Full size regional native trees were sourced to populate the park with shade and scale while a variety of plants suited to the inter-mountain climate are arranged into three garden experiences (alpine, mountain meadow, and riparian). Boulders salvaged from grading operations and custom heavy timber benches, utilizing locally sourced wood, are situated throughout the park to provide rest areas.