big vision for nash square it seems - new project alert
This plan will recognize Nash Square as not merely a park, but as an enduring public square and extension of Raleigh’s new Civic Campus. The project will take a broad view of the square and its surroundings, promoting holistic urban design strategies to create a more cohesive and seamless transition between Nash Square and the surrounding urban context.
If they come slaughter all the trees there I’ll never forgive them.
Sometimes you simply gotta read the link provided lmao:
Plan for the Future: Develop a management strategy for the long-term resilience and relevance of Nash Square, including a comprehensive management plan focused on the protection and preservation of the historic tree canopy.
Not constructive for the thread at all, but I feel needed.
Let’s not get this thread also relegated to the 2 hour slow burn please.
Let’s start a new topic. How do you like my teaser? Discuss.
When I first clicked on the document posted the other day, I saw that tree canopy protection is one of the 3 key objectives.
In the project overview, we see this:
It functions as both a destination and a crossroads, a shady respite and a space for play, home to memorials of the past as well as a time capsule for the future.
It seems to me that they are not interested in clearing out the trees a la Moore Square. That said, there also needs to be plan to manage that tree canopy over time because trees don’t live forever.
I’ll be interested to see what they come back with but on the surface I’m skeptical this is a priority outside of some spruced up landscaping, some additional places to sit and maybe resurfacing the paths. The biggest issue I see with both Moore Sq and Nash Sq is the immediate perimeter that surrounds both is not near activated enough.
City Hall, Nash condos and (don’t hold your breath) N&O redevelopment would do more to improve the vibe than anything you could do to the park itself IMO
I agree that whatever improvements are done will be minimal. From Nash Square, Dix Park is a 30 min walk or 10 min by bike.
It’s been a while since I walked through there at night but I seem to recall a big push ages ago (like the Meeker years) that a main public opinion for improvements in there was better lighting. The dense number of trees often block the light coming from the various lampposts through there leading to lots of dark corners. Was that improved any, or is it still an issue?
I’m glad to see this. Nash Square is definitely underutilized. It will be interesting to see how much change is coming: a big transformation (doubtful), a modest refresh, or something in between.
My initial guess is some moderate changes to landscaping and possibly paths, maybe a new piece of public art, improved lighting, etc. I think it would be nice if there were another focal piece in the square.
In today’s afternoon council meeting, TJ McCourt with the Raleigh Parks Dept. answered a question from Jane Harrison about tree protection and conservation in the comprehensive plan for Nash Square. He committed to prioritizing the tree canopy and called them the square’s great asset, and said that they’d be at the forefront of the process and all the way through the process. He said first there’d be a tree health and risk assessment, and a prioritization of those in good health for protection, followed by a tree succession plan for the future. Silver then questioned McCourt about the measuring the understory and sight lines through the park for safety reasons. McCourt confirmed that it would include those sight lines. McCourt confirmed that the analysis includes the realm of the 4 sides and those streets and sidewalks.
I just haven’t seen much “tree succession planing” from the city which is why I’m so negative on this. I watch them remove old trees from The middle of glenwood (which were dying), then they simply leave rotting stumps there and replant nothing. Even if that is not the best place for trees I would like to see stumps removed and then more proactive tree planting in other city locations. The loss of trees ITB over the last 20 years is very substantial.
Kick off and open house for the Nash Square Public Realm Plan next Thursday:
I stopped by the Nash Square planning event today. I didn’t stay long but did look at the 3 “big ideas” they had outside. I was feeling hot in the sun so didn’t want to do all that reading. 
So I just snapped the ideas and am posting them here for your review. Hope you can make out the details ok.
Big Idea 1: Update
Big Idea 2: Shift
Big Idea 3: Recenter
I wish they would just leave it as is. It very nice maybe clean up some walk ways. Spend money elsewhere and don’t screw up these incredible trees.
Based on all of the three streetscape renderings, any of these alternatives would significantly improve traffic safety on Martin and Hargett streets. The additional trees will also enhance the overall experience of walking through this area on a hot summer day.
I’d personally prefer option 1 because it would be the safest possible option for all road users. This is because raised table streets with a tree-lined buffer, cause vehicles to slow down significantly. Also, curb less streets tend to vastly improve the visibility of pedestrians/bicyclists, etc.
I’m pleased with the attention to detail in all concepts and with the overall public engagement here. I got there early when it wasn’t crowded and spoke with a planner 1:1 for a while. She even took notes or pretended to! Really appreciated the active listening.
First issue is I couldn’t park my bike. First piece of feedback was more bike racks. And we don’t need an open house or a $50MM project to put in bike racks. We can put in bike racks tomorrow.
Consistent elements like the curb extensions are great to see. I love woonerfs, and while my gut says definitely go with option 1 for that reason, I’m concerned it would just be abrupt and not transition well east or west because we’re only talking about one block here. Same with the chicane in #2. Cities with effective chicane traffic calming have implemented it on more than just one block. I’d rather see curb extensions across all of downtown instead of something really fancy on one block here. Or if Martin St was a transit mall and the woonerf/transit mall extended across downtown from west to east. But again, idk about doing this for just one block.
Looks like they spent some decent money on producing these. It’s a shame they didn’t proofread them prior to sending them off to print. 
All are great IMO, but I am pleased with the thought of the water feature in idea #3.
But the best thing about each of these are the ped improvements/traffic calming on Hargett & Martin streets. I do also hope they also have some more security patrol the park after whatever renovation is done like they do in Moore Square.
