Vestal Gateway Park

It was important to the Vestal neighborhood, as a working-class community proud of its major industries, that the Vestal Gateway Park acknowledges the history of the South Knoxville community. The bases of the concrete Gateway columns, therefore, were executed in gray marble slabs to complement the columns and are engraved with dates significant in the history of Vestal, including annexation and major industry timelines. To build upon the bicycling theme of the Gateway, the arch is composed of "bicycle sprockets" cut from stainless steel plate with a waterjet cutter. Fortunately, the fabricator had the "sprocket" pattern on his computer. It turned out much better than welding used sprockets together, which would have introduced incompatible metals. The keystone of the arch, logically, is the name of the neighborhood: “VESTAL”.

The Pavilion was considered an essential element of the Park to accommodate events that would enliven the Park and downtown Vestal as it grew. Periodic musical performances could be expected, as some had been attracted soon after construction, and neighborhood leaders felt that other organizations, such as the church next door, would be likely to use the Pavilion. The design includes a 10’ x 15’ shaded concrete platform, acoustically enhanced by a shed roof covered with corrugated metal. Electricity, provided for amplification when needed, had the secondary benefit of allowing the charging of cell phones by the local homeless population, a practice welcomed and observed on many occasions. The Pavilion appropriately incorporates a colorful handprint mural created by the Vestal Boys & Girls Club, home-based a block away. Members of the club were intentionally involved in seeding the meadow to encourage a sense of ownership in the Park, which indeed has been evident in pride and appreciation expressed by the children since the planting.

Looking back, the wildflower meadow has been the most problematic of the various elements of the Park. While noble in concept, the necessary weed control has required volunteers to go “the second mile” in fostering healthy growth conditions due to poor soil deposited when the gas station was demolished and the aggressive nature of the weeds. To help solve these problems, the soil was covered with biodegradable cardboard and mulched with topsoil overlay. Plant selection has been guided by the local arm of the Native Plant Rescue Squad. Accordingly, the philosophy of the NPRS is articulated in a sign on the site for its public education value.

Framework for Design Excellence

The big idea behind this project is the disruption of the deadening influence of obsolete structures and unhealthy landscapes by creative intervention.

The purpose of the design is to create green space to refresh the soul and a community gathering place where all residents can participate in recreational, zero-carbon activities without the barriers of tradition or class. Two major industries employed most Vestal residents for many years, as the engraved marble slabs on the Gateway attest. The process of assimilation of ethnically disparate groups brought to Knoxville for their skills was stimulated by a workshop conducted by the Project for Public Spaces. The solution had to be a combination of filling empty storefronts and environmental quality, from a physical viewpoint, plus common appreciation for varied skills and cultures.

The site of the gas station, demolished by the City, was a barrier to interaction and sucked life out of the neighborhood. That area has been converted to a park and greenway enhanced by a wildflower meadow. Experts from the Native Plant Rescue Squad have advised the Vestal community on how to plant a self-sustaining site that is more drought-tolerant, with emphasis on native plants, to assure the creation of an effective pollinator habitat.

Limited finances urged selection of simple, durable materials such as formed concrete and locally quarried marble, and artwork created by neighborhood organizations.