Design Considerations for MPR Pocket Park

The MPR pocket garden will be a relaxing, useful green space adjacent to the new MPR building. While the space is owned by MPR, it will be visible to the public and will allow for public access.

The garden area is an interface between the historic Presbyterian Church and the brand new addition to the MPR building. The design goal is to maximize green space and create a sustainable, functional and maintainable landscape that is visually pleasing and enhances the attractive features of neighboring buildings.

The site will be used for a variety of purposes. Most often, it will be an area where MPR employees can take breaks or have lunch during the warm seasons. Small meetings may also be conducted in the green space. On occasion, a tent may be erected to host special events or gatherings. Members of the adjacent church may also use the space on occasion, such as for taking wedding pictures or similar activities. And, of course, the site will be visible year-round from within the MPR building.

Because of the significant slope on the site, a retaining wall is necessary to create a flat lawn space useable for gatherings. The wall is terraced and softened with plants so as to not compete visually with the adjacent buildings.

Plants were placed to draw attention to and frame the beautiful church window overlooking the garden. Two arching River Birch trees will echo the arch of the half-round window. Curves in the retaining wall will also reflect the curves in the window. Beneath the window, small trees and shorter plants are meant to soften the view of the cement wall and railing, and draw the eye up to the more attractive portions of the church.

A sidewalk for public access, on an accessible slope, runs from the back parking area to Cedar Street. The flat lawn area, which may be used for small gatherings, will be sheltered from Cedar Street by the planting and retaining wall area, yet will retain a view of the half-round church window.

All plants have been chosen to be low maintenance, yet provide significant interest throughout all seasons. Seasonal interest is obtained through the choice of flowers, foliage colors, fruits and bark. Plants near Cedar Street are chosen to provide pleasing color that will enhance the appearance of both buildings. These plants are "modern varieties" of "old fashioned" plants, including roses, lilacs and hydrangeas. Their size is such that they will not block the view of the MPR message board, yet will draw attention into the green space because of their color and interest.

Flower and foliage colors have been chosen to combine well with the colors of the stone in both the church and the MPR building.

—Diana Alfuth
Horticulture Educator and Landscape Designer